I didn’t have time to sort through all the feelings there. Nothing more had happened since my birthday, and I was starting to believe I may have dreamt it all along. Sitting here, I genuinely believed he meant every last word.

I tried to shake the feeling, knowing all it could bring was heartache. Stone had to return to Quantico to his job.

Volunteers carried out trays of food, setting everything on the tables. Clams, lobster, and corn, which my family dug straight into, and I gave Stone a quick grin before grabbing some for myself. It was his first time at the festival, and his first clambake, for that matter. I felt almost honored for it to be with me.

Everything was delicious, and it wasn’t long before we’d ate our way through most of the food on the table.

“I’ve truly been missing out,” Stone groaned after a bite of lobster.

Everyone around us chatted and enjoyed second helpings. My parents had found us drinks, including soda for Stone. It warmed my heart that they’d even taken the time to remember he didn’t drink.

It wasn’t long before I felt the shift in the air, the way people started nervously glancing around, how the joyous chatter turned to whispers. I realized many were staring at Stone and exchanging hushed words. I swallowed hard as my parents continued their conversation, blissfully unaware, and my brother helped Eloise pick apart her lobster.

“What happened?” I whispered under my breath.

“There’s been a development in the case,” he answered, noticing the unwanted attention.

“What happened?” I asked.

“We found Ethan on the footage at the warehouse, tying him there during the phone call and when we estimate the body was dropped.”

My stomach turned, and I felt nauseous. This was the moment I’d imagined for years: the Coastal Killer finally seeing justice, so why did it feel so horrid?

“Did you arrest him?”

He nodded.

“That’s why you were late,” I stated pointedly.

“Yes,” he admitted. “I wanted to tell you, but I didn’t want to ruin this for you.”

“You didn’t think I’d find out?” I asked. “The whole town knew before I did.”

“I’m sorry. I should’ve said something sooner. I just wanted you to have this one bit of peace with your family,” he said.

I knew he meant it, that he had the best of intentions, but part of me still felt a little hurt that he didn’t tell me sooner.

“The news is spreading. I’m sure the sheriff‘s office has already put out a statement,” Stone said.

People stood from the tables, hurrying from the festival, and I knew they were heading to the sheriff’s office. An arrest like this would draw a crowd.

My heart pounded, realizing what this news also meant. “When?” I asked.