Page 51 of Free

“Everything about you is worth it,” he says, his tone serious, almost reverent.

The words hit me square in the chest, and I look away, biting my lip to keep my emotions in check. “I was just watching everyone,” I say finally, my gaze drifting back to Micah and Ivy, to Nathan and Mina. “There’s so much love here tonight.”

“Yeah,” Nick agrees, his voice quieter now. “There is.”

He waits a beat, then asks the question I didn’t expect. “Do you miss him?”

I blink, startled. “Davis?”

He nods, his gaze steady.

“No,” I say, the word tumbling out before I can stop it. “I don’t miss him at all. I miss the idea of him, maybe. But honestly? What I miss most…”

I trail off, the truth catching in my throat. What I miss most is the version of myself I was with Nick. The girl who believed inbig love, who felt like she was standing at the edge of something extraordinary, ready to leap.

“I was just wondering if I’ll ever have something like this,” I say instead, gesturing toward the couples around the fire.

Nick studies me, his eyes searching mine like he’s trying to see past the words to the truth underneath. “You will,” he says, his voice quiet but certain.

I want to believe him. But sitting here, with his jacket wrapped around me and his presence so solid beside me, all I can think about is how close I came to having it…

…with him.

TWENTY-SEVEN

Nick

The conversation and laughter around the fire feel muted, like I’m hearing it through a thick pane of glass. It’s warm and inviting, and yet I can’t seem to let it in. My attention keeps drifting to Charlie, sitting next to me, her knees pulled to her chest, her face glowing in the flickering firelight.

She leans into me briefly, just enough for her head to graze my shoulder. It’s like a lightning bolt straight through me—an aching blend of longing and regret that takes my breath away. Then, too quickly, she pulls back, creating a void that feels all wrong.

I don’t even think about it when I stand, brushing the sand off my jeans. “Walk with me?” My voice comes out rougher than I intended, but there’s no taking it back now.

Charlie tilts her head up, her eyes catching mine. There’s something unreadable in her expression—surprise, maybe, but also something softer, something warmer. She nods without hesitation, slipping her hand into mine, and the simple contact sends a rush of heat through me.

As we move away from the fire, the noise fades into the background, leaving just the sound of the waves lapping at the shore. The moon hangs low over the ocean, its light shimmering on the water. It’s beautiful. Peaceful. And yet, I can’t stop my mind from racing.

Her hand in mine feels so natural, so right. But with every step, the weight of everything left unsaid presses harder on my chest. She deserves so much more than silence. She deserves to know everything.

But where the hell do I even start?

“How are you?” Charlie’s voice breaks the quiet, her tone gentle but probing.

“I’m fine,” I say automatically. The lie slips out so easily, I almost believe it myself.

Fine, fine, fine.

She stops walking, tugging gently on my hand until I turn to face her. The moonlight catches her eyes, making them look impossibly deep and searching. “Okay,” she says softly. “But how are youreally?”

I want to brush the question off, to make a joke, to say something—anything—that’ll keep her from digging too deep. But the way she’s looking at me? Like she genuinely cares, like sheneedsto know? It undoes me.

I drag a hand through my hair, my gaze dropping to the sand at our feet. “Probably could be better,” I admit, my voice low and uneven. “It’s just… a lot, you know?”

Charlie steps closer, her hand tightening around mine. “Because of me?” she asks, her voice tinged with uncertainty. “Because I know you just want to be friends, and I don’t think I’m honoring that very well.”

Her words make my chest ache, and I can’t stop myself from looking up at her. “Charlie, it’s not… it’s not you. You’ve never been the problem. I’m just…” I trail off, searching for the rightwords. “I’m not the man I used to be. I’m not the man you deserve.”

Her brows knit together, confusion and hurt flashing across her face. “Nick?—”

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