Hello, Lovelies!

Thank you so much for your continued support and readership! We're so happy you're along for this journey!

Some were wondering about how we approached this story. Jill is writing Alice's chapters, Dani is writing Rose, and Ariel is writing Bella, though we all have hands in each chapter so that by the end we've all had a part in everything. It really is a collaborative space!

Okay, let's dive in since I'm sure you're excited to hear from our last gal!

Thank you to Pamela for prereading!

-3-

Bella

2019

Davis, California

I try to make my footsteps light as I approach the front door of my boyfriend's apartment. It's not that I'm trying to sneak up on him or anything, but I know the moment I'm detected, I'll be assaulted.

Not by any human, but by the 130-pound beast Jake claims is his baby.

The door is unlocked, but it sticks as I wiggle it open, and my heart sinks. At the sound, heavy paws hit the hardwood floors, and I brace even before the door is fully open. I try to slip through, to not give the dog space to run out of the apartment, but before I can close the door, he's there, jumping up on me.

"Get off me, Gunner," I groan, shoving the heavy drooling mastiff off me. He's young enough to have the energy of a puppy, but as of his last vet visit, is officially heavier than me. It's all I can do to shove him back.

The dog is so happy at my arrival, he doesn't ease up. "Jake!" I shout, annoyed that my boyfriend hasn't managed to fucking train his dog yet. It would be one thing if Gunner was small, but I can't control him on my own. "Jake!" I scream again.

"Jesus, calm down, I was taking a shit," he grunts, coming down the hall zipping up his pants. I hope he's washed his hands, but he probably hasn't. It's the least of my worries right now as I fling ropes of drool off my body. "Come on, Gunner. Knock it off." Jake wrangles Gunner easily, scooting the dog back down the hall.

I stare at my boyfriend, my back pressed to his front door. "I swear I will stop coming over," I threaten, my glare leveling at him. Jake waves me off with a gesture that pisses me off more.

"He just loves you," Jake says dismissively.

I glare at him, shoving off his door. I stomp down to his bathroom, which yes does smell, so at least he wasn't lying when he didn't come to my aid right away. I shove the door shut, locking it so Gunner doesn't burst in, then turn around and work the small window open. It doesn't do anything to help, and I reach for the candle I bought and left last month. After lighting it, I turn on the faucet, grabbing what I hope is a decently clean towel to wipe the drool off me.

I don't know why I keep coming over. Gunner is fine, as far as dogs go, though he'd be better with proper training. Jake thinks it's because he doesn't see me much that he reacts that way. I can't fathom coming over more than once every few weeks. I'm far too busy, and things with Jake aren't that serious. We once went over a month without talking at all. I'm relieved by the space he gives me, even if it means every time I see him I like him a little bit less and less.

In my back pocket, my phone buzzes. I dry my hands, pulling my cell out to look at it.

My heart squeezes when I see it's the girls.

Alice

God, I can't wait for our trip.

My heart lurches in my chest, and I quickly text back how much I'm looking forward to it too. I need my girls, maybe now more than ever.

Two years of slogging through lectures to get the credentials I needed for my masters so that I could apply to transition to the PhD program and spend the next four years researching and teaching. I'm only halfway through my six-year program, but I can feel it weighing on me. The only reprieve I seem to truly get is the two weeks I religiously carve out on the island with the girls.

Bella

Me too.

I respond, knowing the words aren't enough but somehow the only thing I can say right now. I need the time away like I need air. It's the only time when I'm not pushing myself, striving toward this huge goal I've set.

I glance at the bathroom door through the mirror I'm still facing, and scowl. Even when I'm here with my boyfriend, I'm thinking about school. My backpack is by his front door, and I know that after I've wiped the drool from me, I'll head to his living room to study. He'll likely play video games the whole time I'm here, until he's horny enough to make some sort of move. We'll have passionless, but adequate sex, and then I'll be back at it, studying late into the night.

The grind of it all starts to grate on me, and I glance at my phone once more, wishing I could transport to the island right now.

When my phone fails to magically grant my wishes, I shove it into my pocket and head back out to find my backpack.

…

"Jesus, Bella. Why are you still putting up with him?"

I glance at Rose, who is pushing her sunglasses over her eyes, a scowl on her beautiful face.

I let out a long breath.

We've elected to go out in town for a change, which has been a nice outing, but I'm ready to get back to the quiet serenity of the house.

"I don't know," I say, shrugging one shoulder. "In a lot of ways, things are easy with Jake. I don't mind leaving him, and he doesn't mind being left. He's there when I need a warm body, but he never pushes me for more." It's a shitty reason to be with someone, I know, but the convenience outweighs most of his faults. I'm not looking for love, I'm not even really looking for commitment. I'm not someone to try out one-night stands, so having Jake around to help me with my needs is… handy. Not that he's a great lover, but what should I expect out of a relationship that is basically tolerable?

"When you're ready for more, you'll leave his ass in the dust," Alice says, confident in me as always. "He'll make you want to settle down."

I snort. "Right, like I'll be settling down anytime soon." I shake my head at the thought. I'm still young. I want everything the world has to offer, and then some. I don't have the heart to confess to my best friends who both married young, that I can't see any sort of man in my future that would make me settle.

"How are Peter's migraines?" I ask, wanting to change the subject off me. Alice glances at me, letting out a small breath.

"He's got a doctor's appointment next month," she says, one shoulder lifting slightly, telling me that despite her calm exterior, she's carrying worry for her husband.

"Any ideas what it is?" Rose asks, her voice soft, her tone of worry clear.

"I was reading about people who have migraines because their gut is unbalanced," Alice says, glancing at us. "I've put him on all sorts of supplements."

I grin. "I'm sure he loves that," I say dryly.

Alice lets out a small laugh. "He complained for a while, but he started trying them right before I left. Hopefully, they'll help."

We all nod in hopeful agreement.

"What about you and Royce?" Alice asks, turning to Rose. "Are things still fairytale perfect?" We all let out light laughs, but I see a flash of a frown on Rose's face.

"Not exactly," she says, shaking her head. "I mean… things are fine. He really is great. All relationships have their ups and downs, right?"

Alice hums and our eyes meet in a suspicious glance. "That's certainly true," she agrees slowly. "But are you happy?"

We both turn to Rose, who looks a little stiff under the question. "I'm happy we're here," she groans, tossing her head back as if to take in the area. "The rest of real life doesn't exist, not for the next two weeks."

It's a sentiment we all agree on, so Alice and I drop the subject.

We walk down toward the docks where the only ferry to Lighthouse Cove runs. The sea air is different on the east coast. Saltier, maybe, less like sunshine than California.

At the end of the short dock, a small boat sits, its captain lounging on the deck with a book in his hands.

"Hey, Edward!" Alice calls, lifting her hand to wave at him. Edward lowers his book, smiling at us.

"Hey, ladies. Ready to head back?"

Without the Cullen Ferry Service, we would be shit out of luck getting to Lighthouse Cove. None of us can drive a boat, and I could almost guarantee we would have found a way to sink or get lost to sea had we tried. Carlisle, Edward's father had been running the ferry since he was a teenager. He still does, though Edward has been showing up more and more frequently.

He stands up, his long form stretching, and I feel an elbow connect with my ribs. I let out a sharp breath, glaring at Rose. Yes, I know Edward is attractive, I've known it since we first met him three years ago.

He reaches out, offering his hand to help us up on the ship. Alice goes first, followed by Rose. When Edward turns to me, my stomach flips a little as I slide my palm against his.

His long fingers are warm and rough, calloused from a life of hard labor.

He smiles at me, his stubbled right cheek lifting slightly higher than the left in an endearing crooked smile.

He hoists me up, and I can smell the scent of him; salt and whisky, even though I know he doesn't drink on the job.

My arm brushes his chest as he settles me on the deck of his small boat, and for a moment I'm dizzy.

Okay, fine, the guy is fucking hot, but he's strictly a no-go for me.

For one, the boy is quintessentially small town. No way I'd ever let myself settle with someone with roots as deep as his. For another, I'm not about to try anything with our literally only way to get to our beach house. With my luck, the relationship will end in flames and then the girls and I will be swimming to Lighthouse Cove every summer.

"Ready?" Edward asks, moving to the wheel. The girls settle on white leather-wrapped seats, and I sigh, sinking down next to them. The book he was reading has been left on the seat, and I pick it up, rolling my eyes. How much more cliché could he be, reading Moby Dick? Edward starts up the boat and Alice sends me a grin accompanied by a wink.

I roll my eyes at her as I set the book back down.

Edward and his little boat are a thought I have once a year, and nothing more. It's fun to fantasize while we're here on vacation, but back in reality, I'm happy with my life. I like dedicating my life to school, then having breaks where I can disappear from the world without consequence. I like that three months ago I was climbing through the Amazon, and that in two months' time, I'll be heading toward Costa Rica for a research trip. Even Jake, who I've lightly committed time to, doesn't require a lot of me. He might be sort of gross and annoying, but he doesn't take away from my life. I'm free to come and go, free to be who I want when I want.

I don't want anything more than that.

I glance at Edward as he takes us away from the dock, the wind whipping through his already tousled hair. He glances down at us and flashes us that easy smile, and I feel something in the pit of my stomach tighten.

Okay, maybe I've been tolerating Jake. Seeing how attractive a man can be being fucking competent at something is a little disarming, and though I've strictly disregarded Edward, it doesn't mean I need to be slumming it with Jake. I make up my mind to finally dump him as soon as I'm home.

A few people were wondering, we are dedicating one chapter each to the years that make up the time between graduating college and the present. After next week, we'll be in the present completely, though we will still alternate POVs. See you lovies Monday!