Chapter 46: Explosions

The fireworks rain on as I float beside her, my heart bursting with joy. I said it. I finally said it. And not in some off-hand drunken way. What’s more romantic than confessing your love under fireworks?

A wave crashes over us and Allie tumbles under, popping up further away. I think that she’s going to swim back towards me but my heart races as I watch her make it all the way to the shore. I dive under the waves and follow not too far behind, stepping onto the sand as Allie tries to stuff a soggy leg into her sand-covered shorts.

"Allie,” I stammer. “Is everything okay?"

She spins towards me, her face contorted into a mix of emotions. "Why now, Saz? Why after all of this do you choose now to say that?"

"Because it's true, Allie. I do love you." I try to grab her hands but she stumbles away. "I've always loved you. I made a mistake."

"You're a liar," she sobs, walking forward. "You don't love me. You said it was all in the past. You're a liar."