Chapter 23
“Absolutely,” Jayden said without missing a beat, his voice steady and sure. “We’ve got forever ahead of
us.”
The certainty in his voice made Arianna’s whole face light up with pure joy. She handed him a piece of stationery and settled into the writing desk beside him, already lost in thought about what to tell their
future selves.
Jayden finished first, sealing his letter with a satisfied grin and immediately craning his neck to see what Arianna was writing.
“Excuse me, nosy,” she said, quickly covering her paper with both hands. “Eyes on your own work!”
“I’m already done,” he protested, waving his sealed envelope as evidence. “You’re taking forever.”
Arianna stuck her tongue out at him and scribbled a few more lines before folding her letter and shoving it into an envelope with dramatic flourish.
As Jayden reached for the collection slot to deposit both letters, curiosity got the better of him. He held Arianna’s envelope up to the light, squinting like he might be able to see through the paper.
“Jayden!” she warned, laughing. “Don’t you dare try to read my letter!”
She knew him way too well.
With an exaggerated sigh of defeat, he dropped both envelopes into the slot. One year from now, they’d get these back. One year from now, they’d read whatever ridiculous things they’d written and laugh about this perfect afternoon.
The thought should have filled him with excitement. Instead, something cold and sharp twisted in his
stomach.
One year from now. Would they even still be together? Would she even still be…?
When they stepped back outside, the late afternoon heat was still brutal. A person in a giant teddy bear costume was standing in the blazing sun, handing out flyers to the few brave souls willing to venture onto the scorching pavement.
Jayden accepted a colorful flyer advertising an evening beach event–live music, food trucks, and a bonfire under the stars. It looked like exactly the kind of romantic night they both needed.
Before he could ask Arianna if she was interested, she’d already ducked into the convenience store next door.
17:28
Done Hiding as Your Backup Plaything I’m Shiring Golden as a Queen
36
Chapter 23
She emerged moments later with an ice–cold bottle of water, which she immediately offered to the person in the bear suit.
“Here,” she said with that radiant smile that had been destroying his composure since middle school. “You must be dying in that thing.”
The mascot accepted the water with what Jayden could only assume was gratitude, given the enthusiastic
nodding.
Watching this simple act of kindness, Jayden felt that all–too–familiar stab of guilt pierce through his chest. She’d always been like this–thoughtful, generous, looking out for people who couldn’t look out for
themselves.
And he’d convinced himself she was capable of hurting people. He’d been so blinded by his own pain that he’d forgotten who she really was.
The self–loathing threatened to pull him under again, but Arianna must have sensed his mood shift because she slipped her arm through his, grounding him in the present moment.
“That guy reminded me of you,” she said casually, like she was commenting on the weather.
Jayden looked at her in confusion before the memory slammed into him with devastating clarity.
The summer after eighth grade. He’d been determined to take Arianna on a proper graduation celebration with money he’d earned himself, so he’d gotten a job as a restaurant mascot. The pay was awful and the costume was like wearing a portable sauna, but he’d been so fucking determined to prove
he could take care of her.
“Wait,” he said, the pieces suddenly clicking together. “How did you know it was me in that costume?”
Arianna’s grin was pure mischief. “Because I was working at the boba place across the street. I wanted to earn money for our trip too.”
The revelation hit him like a physical blow. All those years ago, they’d both been secretly working toward the same goal, both trying to create something special for each other, and he’d never even known.
Jesus, how had they been so young and already so devoted to each other?
By evening, the oppressive heat had finally started to break. The beach was transformed into something magical–fairy lights strung between palm trees, tiki torches casting dancing shadows on the sand, the kind of romantic setup that belonged in movies.
They found a spot on a blanket near the small stage where a guitarist was tuning up for the evening’s entertainment. A server brought their drinks–something tropical and pink for Arianna, a local craft beer
for him.
17:28
Done Hiding as Your Backup Plaything I’m Shining Golden as a Queen
55.6%
Chapter 23
She emerged moments later with an ice–cold bottle of water, which she immediately offered to the person
in the bear suit.
“Here,” she said with that radiant smile that had been destroying his composure since middle school. “You must be dying in that thing.”
The mascot accepted the water with what Jayden could only assume was gratitude, given the enthusiastic nodding.
Watching this simple act of kindness, Jayden felt that all–too–familiar stab of guilt pierce through his chest. She’d always been like this–thoughtful, generous, looking out for people who couldn’t look out for
themselves.
And he’d convinced himself she was capable of hurting people. He’d been so blinded by his own pain that he’d forgotten who she really was.
The self–loathing threatened to pull him under again, but Arianna must have sensed his mood shift because she slipped her arm through his, grounding him in the present moment.
“That guy reminded me of you,” she said casually, like she was commenting on the weather.
Jayden looked at her in confusion before the memory slammed into him with devastating clarity.
The summer after eighth grade. He’d been determined to take Arianna on a proper graduation celebration with money he’d earned himself, so he’d gotten a job as a restaurant mascot. The pay was awful and the costume was like wearing a portable sauna, but he’d been so fucking determined to prove
he could take care of her.
“Wait,” he said, the pieces suddenly clicking together. “How did you know it was me in that costume?”
Arianna’s grin was pure mischief. “Because I was working at the boba place across the street. I wanted to earn money for our trip too.”
The revelation hit him like a physical blow. All those years ago, they’d both been secretly working toward
the same goal, both trying to create something special for each other, and he’d never even known.
Jesus, how had they been so young and already so devoted to each other?
By evening, the oppressive heat had finally started to break. The beach was transformed into something magical–fairy lights strung between palm trees, tiki torches casting dancing shadows on the sand, the kind of romantic setup that belonged in movies.
They found a spot on a blanket near the small stage where a guitarist was tuning up for the evening’s entertainment. A server brought their drinks–something tropical and pink for Arianna, a local craft beer for him.
17:28
Done Hiding as Your Backup Plaything I’m Shining Golden as a Queen
$5 694
Chapter 23
As the music started and the sun began its slow descent toward the horizon, Jayden tried to lose himself in the moment. This was perfect. This was everything he’d dreamed about during those lonely years in New York when he’d thought she was dead.
But even as he watched Arianna sway gently to the music, her face glowing in the warm light, that familiar terror kept clawing at the edges of his mind.
This is too good to be true. Something’s going to go wrong. She’s going to disappear again.
The thoughts spiraled faster and faster until he felt like he couldn’t breathe. He reached for her hand desperately, lacing their fingers together like physical contact could somehow keep her anchored to reality.
Please be real. Please don’t leave me again.
Arianna must have felt his grip tighten because she turned to look at him, concern flickering across her features. Before he could say anything, before he could try to explain the panic that was eating him alive,
she leaned over and kissed him.
It was soft and sweet and tasted like pineapple, and for a moment, everything else faded away.
When she pulled back, her cheeks were flushed pink and her eyes were sparkling with amusement.
“Hey,” she said gently, her thumb tracing circles on the back of his hand. “You’re supposed to be here with me, not lost in your own head. What’s got you so distracted?”
Chapter 24
