“Sure, but I’ll see you at the ceremony.”

I blink. “You’re going?”

He looks at me like I’m crazy. “Last I checked you and Jace were still graduating. So fuck yeah, I’m going.”

I wrap my arms around him for the second time. “You’re the best cousin in the world, you know that?”

He snorts. “At least I’m good at something.”

“You’re good at a lot of things, Oak. Have some faith in yourself.”

Jace: Have I told you how sexy you look in that cap and gown?

I can’t see him since he’s sitting a bazillion rows up from me and has already gotten his diploma, but I shake my head and laugh.

Dylan: You know you’re wearing one too, right?

Jace: Looks better on you.

A second text immediately follows that one.

Jace: Bet it looks even better off. ;)

Dylan: Perv.

Jace: You love it.

I do. I really, really do.

Dylan: So…how does it feel to be a high school graduate?

Jace: You tell me. They’re calling your name, baby.

Panic shoots up my spine when I realize my row went up, and I never went with them. Crap.

That’s what I get for making out with Jace during graduation rehearsal instead of paying attention.

The announcer clears her throat and scans the audience. “Dylan Taylor.”

“I’m here!”

Laughter breaks out as I run up to the podium as fast as my legs can carry me.

“Whoop. Whoop. Yo, that’s my cousin!” I hear Oakley yell as I accept my diploma.

But over all the clapping—and Oakley’s shouting—there’s still one person I can hear cheering the loudest for me.

Jace.

He’s standing on his chair, clapping and shouting my name so loud he probably won’t have a voice when he’s done.

There’s nothing but pure pride in his eyes when our gazes clash and he mouths, ‘I love you.’

My throat locks up. I never knew I could feel so happy…so complete.

But that’s what falling in love with your best friend does.

It makes everything so much better.

The world could end right now, and I know I’d be fine…as long as Jace was standing next to me when it happened.

I smile so hard my cheeks hurt. “I love you.”

Breaking all the rules, I run off the stage and kiss him.

Because he’s mine and I’m his.

And I want to spend the rest of my life making unforgettable memories with him.

Epilogue

Two months later…

I pick up my phone and call Sawyer. If anyone can talk me off the ledge when Jace isn’t around, it’s her.

“Something’s wrong,” I blurt out the moment she picks up.

“What’s going on?”

I stretch a strip of duct tape across the box in front of me. “Jace has been acting weird for the past two days.”

“Weird how? Sick weird or moody weird.”

“I don’t know…weird weird.” I place a stack of folded clothes in a different box. “I think he’s freaking out about me going to Duke’s Heart.”

“Why?”

“Because he’s not. Because I’m dorming there. I don’t know. Something just feels off.”

“Well, did you try asking him what’s wrong?”

“I don’t have to,” I mutter. “This morning he texted me.”

“And?”

I swallow hard. “He said we needed to talk.”

“Oh.” She goes silent for a few seconds before she squeaks out, “Hey, that’s not always a bad thing. Communication is important in a relationship.”

“Sawyer, how many couples are still together at the end of a conversation that begins with the words ‘we need to talk?’”

She sucks in a sharp breath. “Okay, I see your point. But it doesn’t matter. You and Jace are soulmates.”

We are…which is why I don’t understand any of this.

Two days ago, everything was perfect.

Then I mentioned I was going to be busy because I needed to start packing for school…and suddenly we need to have a talk.

Grumbling, I stand up. “I’m supposed to meet him in fifteen minutes.”

“Your place or his?”

“Neither.” Trekking to the mirror, I do a quick once-over. “He wants to meet at our old elementary school.”

“Really? Why?”

“I don’t know. The only thing I can think of is that he wants to end things the same place it began.”

There’s a sharp intake of breath. “Whoa. Do you really think Jace would be so cruel? Actually…don’t answer that. Think happy thoughts,” she says before hanging up.

The ominous feeling in my gut gets worse with every step I take toward the giant sequoia tree.

He looks up when I approach. “Hey.”

No kiss. No hug. Just hey.

“Hey.”

The look in his eyes right now is like nothing I’ve ever seen before.

He motions to the spot on the ground next to him. “Sit.”

Begrudgingly, I do.

The smile he gives me is uneasy…like he doesn’t want to have this conversation any more than I do.

“How are you?”

How am I? If he’d bothered to speak to me for more than two seconds over the last forty-eight hours, he would know I’m freaking the fuck out.

“Fine.”

His dark eyes roam over my face, studying me.

I grind my molars. It should be a crime to look so hot when you’re about to break someone’s heart.

He reaches for my hand. “You know I love you, right?”

My heart seizes. Oh my God. This is it.

“Yup,” I croak.

He makes a face. “Are you okay?”

“Just peachy,” I grit out through clenched teeth.

“Really? Because you don’t—”

“Good God, man. Just get on with it.”

Break up with me so I can break your jaw and knock some sense back into you.

“Didn’t realize you were in a rush.” I feel his gaze bore into me. “You were wearing a blue dress with white stripes. Your hair was up, and you had a pair of red earbuds in your ears.” He traces the length of my forearm with his finger. “Your eyes were closed, and you were singing your favorite song.” Laughing, he gives his head a shake. “You sounded terrible…but you looked so happy in your own little world. I couldn’t take my eyes off you.”

I have no idea what he’s talking about. “When?”

His Adam’s apple bobs. “The first time I saw you.”

Really? He’s going to say something like that before he smashes my heart to smithereens, and he can’t even bother to get it right.

“The day we met I was wearing overalls, not a blue dress. My hair was down…and I had headphones on. The babysitter’s cat destroyed those red earbuds the week before.”