Page 76 of Promise You Forever

“I don’t know, I didn’t open it since it’s sealed with your name on it.”

“Thank you.” I slide it into my purse and look over at her. “I’m glad we had dinner tonight.”

“Me, too.” In a wholly unexpected maternal way, she strokes my hair. “We’re not great at expressing our feelings, but your father and I love you very much. We’re proud of who you’ve become. It’s a testament to your own strength, intelligence, and tenacity.”

I reach over and hug her. “I love you guys, too.”

I end the night feeling hopeful for my relationship with my parents for the first time in years.

“At least we got one nice day out of the week you’ve been here.” Amber tucks her arm through mine as we walk down the Venice Beach boardwalk.

You can tell all the locals were going stir crazy being stuck inside the past few days because the walkway is crowded withpeople walking, jogging, and skating. All the shops are bustling, and the patios are full, even though it’s not particularly warm today. I’m comfortable in my UCLA hoodie and a pair of jeans.

“Let’s walk down to the water. I miss the ocean so much.”

The surf is pretty flat today, so there’s no one out there catching waves. I used to come out and watch Brandon surf most weekends. A part of me misses that. He was always at his best on the beach. I’d like to think that was the true him.

All that said, not a single part of me regrets ending our relationship. It was wrong from the start, and, truthfully, we both knew it. I doubt he’ll have trouble moving on from me.

I step out of my shoes and roll my jeans up a bit, so I can walk out into the surf. Amber follows suit, and soon we’re both walking in the gentle, rolling waves of the Pacific. The water is cold but feels good anyway. Seagulls fly over us while we walk along the shore.

“Have you decided what you’re going to tell Luke?” she asks.

“I think so.”

“And what exactly are you thinking?”

“I think that I have to tell him the truth.”

“I’m going to push your ass into the ocean if you don’t tell me what that means in two seconds.”

I laugh, and she feigns like she’s going to push me which only makes me laugh harder.

“Okay.” I hold my hand up in surrender as I catch my breath from laughing. “I’m going to tell him that I love him, too. Even though I’m pissed that he didn’t tell me about the scholarship fund, I am grateful. I know he’s changed, and I think we owe it to each other to try again.”

She squeals and jumps on me koala style, almost knocking us both into the water. “I knew it. I knew you couldn’t stay away as soon as he got out of that truck at the airport.”

“Calm down.” I hug her back until her feet touch the sand. “We’re going to go slow. It could get complicated intertwining a business and relationship.”

“Don’t overthink it. Just enjoy it. Save a horse, ride a cowboy,” she sings ridiculously loud. Several people turn their heads to look at us which only makes her laugh.

“Maybe you’re the one who needs to ride a cowboy.”

“If only,” she says with a wistful sigh. “The only thing I’m riding is a wheely chair in the law library and my vibrator.”

“At least orgasms are guaranteed.”

She looks over the top of her sunglasses at me. “Orgasms better be guaranteed for you, too.”

“No worries there. Luke consistently serves us up a two for one special for me.”

“Ugh. I’m too jealous for this. Stop talking.”

“You’re the one who brought it up.”

“Yeah, and now I’m dropping it like a hot potato.” She wraps her arm around my waist and pulls me against her side. “I’m going to fucking miss you.”

“I know.” Tears sting my eyes. “But you always have a room at the ranch. Seriously. Always.”

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