My lungs ache like I just got the wind knocked out of me. Which I did. I want to yank him back down to the blanket and demand we talk this out, because clearly this cannot be the end of the conversation. I can’t let him walk away from this beach thinking he’s the problem when I’m so clearly the destroyer between us.

But Jack is already gathering the blankets, folding them up and tucking them under his arm. He holds out a hand to help me stand, and I take it, even though the feel of his skin on mine is like ice-cold fire.

We walk back to the house in complete silence. At the bottom of the stairs, he gives me a sad smile, squeezing my hand before heading off to his room without another word.

I stand there in the dark for a few minutes before I finally force my feet to carry me up the stairs, where I fall into bed and, thankfully, into an alcohol-and-heartache-induced sleep.

GEMMA: So when were you going to tell us the big news, Sade?

ME: Is the news that I’m still in bed because I was at the bar until 3 am because my business totally sucks and I’m going to be a bartender for the rest of my life?

HARLEY: Maybe you should go check your Instagram, hon.

ME: Holy fuck, I have almost 500 new followers!

GEMMA: Yeah you do! Look who tagged you!

ME: OH MY GOD. SHE HAS 2M FOLLOWERS!!!!!!!!!

ME: Guys, I have like 100 DMs!

ME: Hopefully some of them aren’t dicks!

GEMMA: If you see any good-looking dicks, feel free to send them my way.

HARLEY: Gross.

HARLEY: Congrats, Sadie! This could be a major turning point!

ME: I gotta go, time to sell some motherfuckin’ flowers!

JACK: I don’t have any plans on Saturday if you need help making deliveries.

JACK: I know I lack the signature Sadie charm, but I’m around if you need me.

ME: That’s very sweet, but I can’t ask you to work for me for free and I can’t afford to pay you.

JACK: I really don’t mind.

ME: You already contribute way more to this friendship, dude. The power imbalance is wild.

JACK: What are you talking about?

ME: You’re the one bringing everything to the table here.

JACK: Sadie.

JACK: You don’t actually think that.

ME: Them’s the facts, Jack.

JACK: The offer stands if you need me.