(Prologue & Chapter 1)

Prologue

Before the First Yes

The waves rolled in softly and slowly, the same way they always had.

But everything else had changed.

Jayden stood just beyond the dunes, barefoot in the early light, heart full of something he hadn’t let himself name for years. The wind teased the edges of his shirt. Far ahead, folding chairs lined the sand in a crooked arc. Cam waved wildly at the rental van, already arguing with someone about the speaker setup.

Jayden breathed in deep—salt, ocean, sunscreen, and something else.

Something like peace.

He rolled the ring between his fingers. Not nervous. Not exactly. Just... full. Of moments. Of memories. Of the quiet boy he used to be, the one who thought love was a closed door and safety meant silence.

Now, someone was walking toward him through the morning light. Sun caught on dark blond hair. Sand kicked up around bare ankles. That grin, like he already belonged in every version of Jayden’s life.

Alex.

Jayden didn’t move. Just watched him come closer, each step steady. Certain.

Not the start of the story.

But maybe the place was always leading.

Years ago, the first yes had been the hardest. This one would be the easiest.

Chapter 1

The Comfort of No

I walked the shoreline barefoot, jeans rolled up, sneakers in hand. The sky was still pale, the sun yet hot enough to sting. This early, the beach was mine—untouched, unwatched, quiet.

Exactly how I liked it.

Most mornings started the same way—wet hair, sand between my toes, and the faint sting of salt on my skin. Being a lifeguard wasn’t glamorous, but it came with perks: ocean views, end-of-day sunsets, and the rare quiet moments when I felt like I could actually breathe. I liked it better than I let on. Watching from my post gave me space to think. Or overthink. Usually both.

The breeze carried salt and the faintest whiff of coconut sunscreen, even though no one else was out yet. Waves licked at the shore in rhythm. My chipped mug sat cooling in the sand behind me, still half full of black coffee, the way it always was.

I followed the same path I took every morning. Same shadows, same gull prints in the sand.

Same lies I told myself about how I liked it this way.

The routine wasn’t boring. It was armor.

Somewhere near the lifeguard stand, I paused. Cam’s voice echoed in my head from last night:

“One day, you’re going to have to let life in, Jay.”

I’d laughed it off like I always did. But this time the words clung. Sticky. Sharp.

I was halfway through convincing myself that nothing would change this summer—because nothing ever did—when a voice split the air like a wave crashing too close to shore.

“Hey! You’ve seen where they keep the rescue boards?”

I stopped walking.

It wasn’t just the question—it was how loud it was, like whoever it belonged to hadn’t gotten the memo that this place wasn’t for shouting. I turned slowly, shielding my eyes against the glare.

A guy stood by the lifeguard tower, red shirt, no shoes, golden skin like he didn’t believe in SPF.

He looked like he belonged here. That annoyed me instantly.

He caught my stare and grinned. “You work here, or just an early-morning beach creeper?”

I blinked. “Excuse me?”

He jogged over, casual like this was normal. “Kidding. Kind of. I’m looking for rescue boards. Someone told me they’d be near the tower, but I’m starting to think I was set up.”

I nodded toward the dunes. “Locked up in the storage shed. They don’t come out until the beach opens.”

“Figures.” He scratched the back of his neck and offered his hand. “I’m Alex. New lifeguard.”

His handshake was warm. I didn’t expect that. “Jayden.”

“Jayden,” he repeated, like he was trying it on for size. “Nice to meet you, Jayden-who-walks-the-beach-at-dawn.”

I pulled my hand back, already regretting the conversation. “It’s just quiet in the morning.”

He looked at me—really looked. “Or you like avoiding people.”

I didn’t answer.

print

Most people don’t say things like that. And they definitely don’t say them while looking you in the eye like they already know it’s true.

“Well, you found me now,” he added with a shrug. “So much for that plan.”

The quiet morning air suddenly felt crowded. I gave a stiff nod and turned to leave.

“See you around, Jayden,” he called after me.

I didn’t answer. But for the first time all summer, I wasn’t sure if I wanted things to go back to normal.