Like he’s reading my mind, Dad says, “There’s nothing you can do.”

“I know.” Sometimes nothing can be done. “Dad, I gotta go. Can I borrow The Beast?”

“Keys are on the peg,” he says.

I grab them, my bag of effects, and whistle for the dogs. We load up in my grandfather’s old Ford, nicknamed The Beast for its size, heavy rumble, and few modern conveniences. It’s a beast to drive. But it works. Once it groans to life, me and the dogs do what I’ve wanted to do for the last two days.

We go home.

6. Marnie

CHAPTER SIX

Marnie

I dream in Ashe-vision, a jumbled version of our greatest hits.

All the times I worked the cash register at Sunny’s Beach Market as a teenager, hoping he’d notice me. The summer before his senior year in college, he finally did.

“Marnie, you have the sunniest smile at Sunny’s,” he said. “Mom should give you a raise just for that.”

Laughing in the break room over Mountain Dews and guessing what flavor they’ll think of next.

His first day as our store manager after he graduated, brandishing his degree like a scepter. He went to the booth overlooking the registers, and his voice came across the PA system, like a seasoned deejay.

“Good morning, folks. It’s another bright and beautiful day at Sunny’s Beach Market,” he said then, and every day he’s worked since.

I still love that.

When we built cases of Coke and Sprite into a Christmas tree in the store’s iconic gazebo and, the following year, a fireplace with Santa peeking through. That was the same year he danced with me at our Christmas party, and I went home still smelling his faint cologne in my hair.

“It’s my New Year’s Resolution, Marnie,” he said the following week as we worked on a Valentine’s display.

“What is?”

“Taking you out on a date. If you don’t say yes, the entire year will be a huge letdown,” he grinned.

Of course, I said yes. We spent the evening at a fancy restaurant, and he actually listened to my ideas for Sunny’s—many he advocated for with his mom. Self-checkouts. Expanding our catering services. More local products. And finally, expansion plans. That led to me becoming the youngest customer service manager in Sunny’s history.

I’m one of those lucky ducks who genuinely loves her job. Falling in love with Ashe seemed like a natural extension of what was already a perfect fit.

He surprised me by proposing at the store, surrounded by customers and our work family.

After learning about my disappointing birthdays in the past, he wanted to get married on Valentine’s Day to break my bad luck.

Funny.