Hello, Lovelies!

We're so humbled by the response of the last two chapters. Your compassion as readers has touched us so deeply, and we are all so honored you're with us.

Without further ado, let's get into it!

This chapter was unbeta'd. Thank you to Pamela for prereading!

-6-

Bella

2022

Davis, California

I forgot how stiff graduation gowns are.

This ceremony is smaller than the last time I graduated, and when I look out at the crowd, my eyes easily land on the faces of my loved ones. Alice, Rose, Mom, Phil, and Dad… they all came.

My heart squeezes as I flash them a grin, waving my diploma in the air toward them.

This Ph.D. in environmental policy and human ecology has been hard fought. I've sacrificed most relationships in my life to achieve it in the time I have. But it's here now, and I'm done.

I feel like my life is finally starting.

I glance once more out from the stage as I cross it, my eyes catching on a window high above the auditorium. Outside is an endless sky, a horizon waiting just for me.

…

"God, when was the last time we all flew together?" Rose asks, looping an arm through mine as we move through Sacramento airport.

"The first time we went to Lighthouse Cove," Alice answers, hoisting her large purse over her tiny shoulder. Even though sweet little Bree isn't with us, Alice's purse is still massive, like she's ready to care for anyone and everyone around her at the drop of a hat.

"I seriously can't thank you guys enough," I tell them, shaking my head. "For coming out to my graduation, I mean."

"Wouldn't have missed it for the world," Alice says as she links her arm through my left. Though we are now a massive chain walking through a busy airport, none of us minds the looks people are throwing our way. We're together again, and we only have the next two weeks to soak in each other's company. Not a single moment can be spared.

…

The heavy salt in the air is like coming home as we climb out of our cab at the docks. I can see Lighthouse Cove across the water, glistening like a hidden gem, waiting for us.

I take a moment to breathe in, my eyes fluttering shut as I let the fresh air move through me, bringing me back to life.

"Oh, there's Edward!"

My eyes snap open, and I don't even glance at Rose as my eyes land on the tousled head of our ferryman.

He's wearing a dark sage-green shirt and jeans. He looks casual, like always.

I eye the way his shirt stretches over his chest and swallow hard.

After I broke up with Jake, I didn't dare try another relationship. I was too deep into my Ph.D. work, and between my research and teaching, I didn't have time for anyone else.

Which unfortunately means I haven't had sex in a very long time.

Alice and Rose start to hoist their bags from where the cabbie left them on the curb, but Edward jumps off the side of his boat, landing on the dock easily.

"Let me help you with those," he calls out, his warm, rich voice like honey on the wind.

"Is he hotter?" Alice whispers to me, an elbow sliding into my ribs. I want to hiss at her, but I drop my sunglasses over my eyes instead.

He's still absolutely off-limits.

Edward reaches for Alice's bag, chatting easily with her. I'm happy to see the smile on her face. It verges on flirting, and that makes me smile. It's good to see her grin at a man, even if it doesn't mean anything.

It's a start.

I don't know that I've ever thought about death until Peter got sick. I mean, sure… I lost my gran when I was a kid, and my dad's parents both passed when I was a baby, but it's not something that's ever had a chance to stick with me.

Peter's death was hard.

Alice has taken it like a warrior, and though I know it's been hardest on her, her strength through it has astounded me. I can't imagine loving someone like Alice has, only to lose them so young.

It makes me fear commitment that much more, knowing how fleeting life can be.

Edward reaches for Rose's bag, and she gives him a small smile. Since the night she brought that stranger back to the house—with the help of Edward's ferry, she realized later—she's been a little stiff around Edward. He doesn't judge her, at least, it doesn't seem that way, but it seems she's holding on to her miscalculated choice of Edward inadvertently seeing her cheat on her husband. She worries about what he thinks of her, even though he doesn't seem like the kind of guy who cares about other people's business.

Edward heads to his ship, loading the girl's bags as they trail after him, chatting about the past year. I let out a tight huff and reach down to pick up my bag, hoisting it over my shoulder.

I meet them at the edge of the boat.

"Oh, Bella, I could have gotten that."

Edward smells like lemon on top of his usual salt and whisky today. It's making me dizzy to be next to so much sunshine.

"I'm perfectly capable," I say, even as I nearly slip on the dock trying to throw my bag onto his boat. I see one of his large hands reach toward me, but then he hesitates like he's not sure what to do.

Good.

I toss my bag on board, grunting as the weight leaves my shoulder.

Edward scratches the back of his neck before offering me a hand to help me up on the ship. I reach for the railing, my fingers wrapping around the rough rope as I tug myself up.

It's not that I don't want help in life, but I'm very actively trying to forget how much I want to sit on this man's face. If he touches me, even to help me on the boat, all bets are off, and then where the fuck will we be once I've essentially burned our only way of getting to the island?

Nope, best to stay focused, and not give in to temptation, no matter how fucking good it smells.

…

"So, what's next, Doctor?" Alice asks with a teasing grin.

I let out a breath that ends in a laugh. Doctor, fuck that feels good.

"I've landed that research gig in Guatemala," I tell them. "That'll last a year. After that, who knows? Maybe I'll be able to extend it, maybe I'll move on?" I have the world at my feet, and the feeling is absolutely exhilarating.

I want it all.

"You're moving to Guatemala?" Rose asks, blinking up at me. I glance at her and nod. I'm not surprised she doesn't remember. Rose has been hard to get ahold of this year. After she left Royce, she spiraled out, doing everything that she'd been denied in her years of marriage.

From the few stories I've heard, that includes a decent percentage of the male population of Ohio, too.

"Yeah. My apartment is packed and in storage. The only thing left is what I'm moving with." I shake my head. "I can't wait to get out of Davis."

"California not working out for you?" Alice asks, a note of maternal concern in her voice. I love her for it.

"No, it's not that. I'm just bored." I shrug my shoulders, leaning back on my lounge chair, my face tilting toward the sun. "I want more. I want it all, and I can finally go out and take it."

Alice hums beside me.

The little slice of beach that comes with the house is well-secluded, facing toward the ocean rather than the mainland. Occasionally, ships pass in front of us, but for the most part, it's nothing but endless water and sky, meeting to kiss in a beautiful rainbow of blue hues.

It's breathtaking.

"Any guys?" Rose asks.

I don't even open my eyes to answer her. "Yeah, me and Rico Suave are about to light up the jungles of Central America," I say dryly. Her hand connects with my shoulder, and I grin. Beside me, Alice snorts on a sip of her water.

"Bitch," Rose says, laughing through the word. "I'm only asking. How long has it been?"

I let out a breath, finally opening my eyes and turning toward her. "Mathematicians cannot calculate," I tell her, and she winces.

"Fuck, you need to get laid," she says, shaking out her hair.

I roll my eyes. "Yeah, I'll hop on the first dick I see."

Alice's small foot nudges my calf.

"There's one on the horizon now," she points out. I look toward the water, and there is Edward, far enough out that I can't make out much more of him than colors; copper, blue, a flash of white.

It looks like he's heading out to fish.

I swallow hard. "Think bigger, ladies," I say, hoping my voice doesn't betray how much I'd definitely like to take him for a ride. "The world is waiting, and I have nothing holding me back. It's my time to taste the horizon."

Today marked the last chapter in the past. Starting next week, the chapters will be in the present! And for those curious, Bella's degree was a six-year program that involved two years of completing master's work before transitioning to a four-year Ph.D. program.