I grabbed my bike from where I’d left it in front of Busy’s, fingers shaking too much to deal with the lock. Winning the competition didn’t matter anymore. Whether he stayed or left didn’t, either. The destination mattered way less than the journey. And I would never know if there was a future for us unless I was willing to take it. Whether that meant Skype calls and flying back and forth from Rhode Island or staying in Oar’s Rest, I wanted him in whatever way I could get him. Part of me had always known that, but it had taken our time apart for it to cement in my head.

Tom came out with his coffee as I swung onto my bike. “Where are you going?” he called as I pedaled away. “It’s about to start!”

I waved at him over my shoulder and kept going. The streets were empty because everyone was gathering at the beach. I traced the route up to the lighthouse with my eyes, hoping to see a flash of his car.

Nada.

I biked as fast as I could, panting for breath by the time the lighthouse came into view. What if we’d missed each other? I hovered on the hill for a long moment. From here, I could see that no one was waiting at my home. What could I do now?

There was no point going back to town—without Levi, I couldn’t take part in the competition. I wasn’t even sure I wanted to anymore. Without him, winning didn’t mean a thing. But if I stayed here, I’d just replay everything and drive myself crazy. So I twisted the handlebars and biked down to cheer for my friends.

Busy’s was locked up by the time I got back. While I bent down to secure my bike, I heard footsteps approaching. I expected them to keep going, but they stopped.

“Where have you been?” an exasperated voice asked from behind me.

I whirled. Hard to do while still crouched. “Levi! I-I’ve been here. I was waiting for you and I didn’t think you’d show up and I went to your house and then went back to—” I stopped talking as he helped me get up. I didn’t want to let go of his hand, so I held on.

“Later,” he said, that one word soft and silky and oh so safe.

“But—”

He cocked his head. “Don’t you want to win this thing?”

“I do,” I said. “But I want you more. I told you, Levi. There’s nothing else—no one else.”

“I’m yours.” His blue eyes settled on me. “If you still want me, that is,” he said, the words sounding too careful, too deliberate to not take at face value. He didn’t mean just for the sandcastle competition, I realized.

“We’ll have to run,” I said.