The older woman beside him began a low chant. Howie’s big hand landed briefly on Rowan’s back in solidarity. Brie leaned into Chelsea. Kelsey watched with her whole heart on her face.
Then Tino turned toward Everett and Kelsey. “Family of Rowan,” he said.
Everett blinked. “I ... I don’t think—”
Tino only smiled. “Anyone who stands for her stands here.”
Everett didn’t hesitate as he stepped forward. Kelsey grabbed his hand. Tino handed the bowl to Kelsey. “Pour a little.”
She tipped the seawater over the nose of the board. The last rays of sunset caught the droplets, turning them gold before they hit the sand.
“How come it looks like the ocean’s crying?” Kelsey whispered.
“Because she misses her,” Howie said softly.
Rowan’s breath caught. God, it was too much. The old emotions from her past sprung free and refused to be contained. Memories hit her like a clicking camera but this time, she didn’t fight them. She accepted them, like the ocean accepted her back.
Tino chanted the Hawaiian phrase that finished every board blessing he ever did:
“E ho?i ke kai ia ?oe. E ho?i ?oe I ke kai.”
May the ocean return to you. May you return to the ocean.
When the blessing ended, the group broke into laughter and hugs. Chelsea took Bagel out of his carrier and tried to persuade him to “give blessings” too, which resulted in him running straight into Everett’sfeet and rapidly thumping. He rubbed his twitching nose against his sandals, making everyone laugh.
“Why does he always come to me?” Everett muttered.
“Because prey always runs toward danger,” Rowan said sweetly.
He shot her a look. “You’re amusing at board blessings.”
Kelsey giggled. “Dad, Bagel likes you. He only thumps at people he respects.”
“Lies,” Everett said. “All lies.”
Rowan watched them and her world tilted sideways. This man. This child. This board. This beach. Her friends. All of it braided together in a way that made her chest ache.
She should’ve felt whole.
But instead, a truth whispered up her spine like a warning:You can’t leave this.
Not the waves or the sand. Not her father’s board. Not this version of Kelsey.
Not this version of herself.
Everett caught her gaze. Something bright and relieved crossed his face, like he already thought the future was decided. She looked away first.
Because Rowan knew what she needed to do. But not tonight. Tonight was for celebration and remembering.
Tonight was for all of them.
Chapter Thirty
Everett looked around the Purity lobby and released a slow breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.
His moment had finally arrived.
The place didn’t just look finished—it looked alive. Suspended lanterns swayed in the trade winds and bathed the space in warm light. The scent of fresh orchid petals, polished koa, and a clean salt breeze slid together into something that felt more like place than decor, exactly as he’d envisioned.
