Page 69 of True Blue

He holds out his pinky.

A small smile pulls at my mouth despite everything, and I hook mine around his.

Tilting my head up, I accept his kiss this time.

His phone vibrates in his hand, but for one brief moment, it still belongs to us.

April

I stare at the hotel booking on the computer in front of me, my finger hovering over the mouse.

It’s Easter Sunday, and I volunteered to work. Just to get out of the apartment. Just to get out of my head. I haven’t been doing much work today; I’ve been focused on finalizing all of our vacation plans. Teddy has not missed a family dinner since Ellie died, even though that day he promised he would, something came up, and he had to go.

My eyes scan across the hotel booking, triple-checking that everything looks right.

Santorini. Sea-view. The most romantic room in the hotel, with a private terrace, for four nights, nonrefundable. The pictures are unbelievable, the clear water, the blue skies, the food, the culture.

When I thought I was going alone—pre-Teddy—I just wanted to end the trip on a relaxing note. Now that Teddy is coming with me, I want to end it on a romantic note.

I can’t help but smile, picturing Teddy and me cuddling in bed, basking in the afterglow of making love, listening to the sounds of Greece outside, and just… existing in this bubble with the love of my life.

Knowing that we’re going home together, to a new adventure.

My dream hospital. The payoff for all the hard work.

Unfortunately, thoughts of Teddy are tinged with bitterness now. Every single time I try to get us to just sit down and finish the hotel bookings, his mother calls. This is the last sea-view room available at this hotel for my chosen dates, and I need to make the decision now.

I sigh and grab my phone, seeing the unanswered text to Teddy. I sent him the link to the room to get his approval. And also, I just want some fucking input because I’ve pretty much planned this entire trip while still taking time to schedule things I think he would like.

I just want… a sign of life from him.

A notification pops up across the top of my screen.

@boymomdawn22 tagged you in three photos.

I frown, tapping the notification that takes me to the photos.

The whole Williams family is gathered around the table in their dining room for Easter dinner, with Dawn in the center of it all in her fancy pearls and lavender dress, preening like a peacock.

Teddy sits in his usual spot. And in my spot sits Lily, smiling pretty at the camera and leaning back toward my boyfriend.

My thumb swipes, and this time it’s just a photo of the two of them.

And I feel sick.

Especially when I see the caption.

Our first Easter without my mother, but I’m so blessed to have the family all together again. Including these high school sweethearts, Teddy and Lily. Some things just never change.

The picture itself is innocent. Just two people sitting next to each other on the couch. Teddy is even leaning away slightly from her and is wearing his closed-mouth grin—not the truly happy one.

But Lily looks perfect, as always, in a pretty pink sundress.

If the caption wasn’t bad enough, the comments under the post are what really get me.

All of Dawn’s friends are fawning over Teddy and Lily.

They look so sweet together.