Page 1 of Since the Day We Kissed

Prologue

Twenty-Two Years Earlier

Hadley Cove, Georgia

Howdidthishappen?

The salty tang of the ocean filled the air alongside the distant cries of seagulls overhead. Kara’s heart pounded. Her dad was going to kill her—and Ethan, too. Clutching the thick woolen blanket to her body, Kara leaned over and placed her hand on Ethan’s shoulder.

“Ethan, wake up!”

His eyes fluttered open, then closed again. “Hmph?”

She shook his shoulder. “We gotta go. My dad’s gonna freak when he finds out I didn’t come home.”

“Huh? What?” Ethan’s eyes opened again.

“We stayed out all night. We fell asleep.” Ethan propped himself up on his elbows and blinked a few times, taking in the secluded beach cove. His eyes crinkled, lips curving into a slow, contented smile as he gazed at Kara. “Well, good morning, gorgeous. I suppose we got a little carried away last night, huh?”

“Very!” Kara nodded rapidly, her eyes wide and her breath coming in short, sharp bursts. She pulled out her phone, but the screen was blank. Dead. “Ethan, what time is it? Can you check your phone?”

Ethan patted his pockets, his brow furrowing. “Uh, about that ... It fell in the water last night. We couldn’t find it. Remember?”

Kara’s eyebrows leaped toward her hairline, her jaw dropping as if unhinged. Her stomach plummeted as the gravity of their situation sank in. “Shoot! We need to grab our things and—”

“Looks like I’m phone shopping today.” Ethan grabbed Kara’s hand, pressing a kiss to the back of it. “Don’t stress, babe. It’s still early. We’ve got time.”

Before Kara could say anything, Ethan sat up, cupped her face and met her lips with his as if nothing else mattered. She kissed him back as if she believed it, too.

As they parted, lips tingling from the shadow of their kiss, Kara rested her forehead against his. “Ethan, seriously. We really need to get going.”

“All right, all right.” He scrubbed his face with his hands. “I’m up.” He reached over and grabbed his T-shirt from the sand. Dusting it off, he pulled it over his head and let out a yawn.

Kara snatched up her bag, sending a spray of fine sand into the air. She shoved the beach towels inside—the damp, gritty fabric rough against her fingers in her frantic rush. “We should’ve packed some of this stuff last night,” she said, mostly to herself. “Have you seen my shoes?”

“I don’t know ... maybe up near the grass? I think that’s where I left mine.” Smoothing back his blonde locks, Ethan got to his feet and stretched. “Can’t believe the sand fleas didn’t eat us alive out here.”

“They should’ve,” Kara said, shaking her head and scowling. “Would’ve been payback for being so irresponsible.”

“Let’s not call it irresponsible. I prefer—daring. Or adventurous.” He snaked a hand around her waist, pulling her in for another kiss.

“My dad. Our boss. He won’t see it that way.” Kara smiled as she pressed her hands against Ethan’s firm chest, pushing him away. “And stop distracting me. We’ve gotta focus.”

“Come on, distracting you is what I do best.” He reached for her again, but she stepped away, just missing the path of his outstretched arm, and began gathering more of their things.

“Ugh, these sandwiches have been sitting out all night.” She grabbed a soggy PB&J half-wrapped in a piece of wax paper, then stuffed it into her bag. “Gross!”

Ethan waved his hand dismissively. “No biggie. Who cares about the sandwiches? I’m here for you.”

“Uh-huh.” Kara shook her head. “Now come on, help me pack up.”

“Sun’s barely up.” Ethan grabbed one of the blankets and shook the sand off it. “You think your folks are even awake?”

Kara considered his question for a moment before responding. “Maybe.” She grabbed the blanket from his hands and folded it. “But I’d rather not wait to find out. Can you hurry? And don’t forget your camera.”

Kara pointed at the Polaroid camera that Ethan had brought with him, lying on top of the sand.

“I know, I know.” He leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to her nose. “But hey, before we go, let’s take a picture. That’s why I brought the camera, after all.”

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