The day had gone by extremely slowly. Tom had gone to bed the night before and barely slept, tossing and turning like he used to when he and Ems first broke up. After he’d gone to Georgia for boot camp, all of the physical exertion had settled him. Even though she was still constantly on his mind, it’d been manageable.

Was he crazy to be here now? The question ran through his mind as he walked with Emily toward the large tent on the beach for the wedding. The sky was filled with pinks, oranges, purples, and blues. She turned to him, a huge smile on her face, with that orange scent clouding his mind. “It’s breathtaking.”

This evening, the Christmas trees were frosted white. Emily walked over to a tree and picked up a little ornament. “Oh my gosh, look at this little shell.” She let out a delighted laugh. “Look, Tom. There’s an aqua mermaid on it with a little Christmas cap.”

It was difficult to say exactly why this moment touched him. Perhaps because it felt so … like what could be the rest of their lives.

He smiled down at the little ornament. “It’s nice, Ems.”

She looked so happy. So like she used to look.

Time felt suspended. They were in Hawaii. On a beach at Christmas. White tents clustered behind them, and the sun was starting to set. People waited in the distance for a wedding.

The center of his chest squeezed. All ghosts from their past were right here. Ignoring them, he took her hand, pulling her closer. Emily wasn’t a ghost anymore. She was as real as they came. “Did I tell you how gorgeous you look?”

She wore a fitted dress that showed off her runner’s legs. Her hair was softly curled around her shoulders. She smiled up at him. “You don’t look too shabby yourself, bad boy Tom Kent.”

What could he say? Maybe he was blushing. “I haven’t heard that nickname since high school.”

She leaned into him, nudging him as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

It had been the most natural thing before. Dang it, he’d missed her. He wrapped an arm around her and strolled with her toward the group up ahead. “You smell like orange blossoms.”

“I do?”

He nodded.

“It’s a lotion I use.” She sounded amused.

As they walked faster, he said, “I like it.”

She let out a soft laugh. “Thank you.”

They got closer to the red carpet, which led out to a perfect view to the sunset. “Man, Maui lives up to the hype, doesn’t it?”

“You know what also lives up to the hype?”

“What?”

“Tom Kent, the dedicated true hero of the Park City Fire Department.”

Tom jerked his head back toward her. She was quoting the People article, he realized.

Her lips twisted up. “What? You know I saw that picture, so of course I’ve kept up on the Kent men coverage.”

Ignoring the hero comment, Tom decided it did feel good she had clearly been paying attention to him. “Stalking me, Ms. Times?”

She laughed again. It was the best sound in the world, and Tom was glad he could joke with her.

They arrived at a large tent filled with tables and chairs and the reception. The carpet veered to the side and led them to chairs and a preacher and best men and bridesmaids. Many were already seated, and light classical music played.

Ems gestured to some seats next to Melissa and George, who seemed happy to have them sit by them.

“Hey.” Melissa hugged Emily, and a wide grin spread across her face. “Mr. Owens goes all out, doesn’t he?”

Emily agreed, scanning the beachline. “I heard they were going to parasail off after the reception.” She pointed to a dock. “That must be the boat.”

Melissa laughed. “That’s fitting.”

Tom had to admit being with Emily, pretending to be her date, felt like the most normal thing in the world, like they’d done it a hundred times.

It wasn’t long until the music changed, and Tom watched as Mr. Owens stood at the front and his bride walked past on the red carpet, holding what he assumed was her father’s arm.

Emily whispered to him. “Thanks again for doing this. It meant a lot to Mr. Owens, and he likes you.”

“You’ve already said thanks.” He took her hand into his and whispered back. “Maybe I don’t mind.”

Their eyes held. He thought of just getting down on his knee and proposing to her right now. Which was ridiculous, right? They’d been apart for ten years.

He opted for humor. “I’m glad Alice isn’t sitting by us, because she, uh, tried to play footsie with me last night.”

Emily’s eyes widened, and a grin swept over her face. “No.” She covered her mouth and giggled.

Melissa nudged her, and Emily leaned over and must have told Melissa, because then Melissa was laughing. Melissa obviously told George, because all of a sudden his shoulders were shaking.

Emily gave him a mock angry look and put her hand into a fist. “Alice.”

“We gather here today …” the minister started.

“Shh.” Tom put his finger over his lips, hoping they would quiet down. The gesture had the opposite effect, and they only simmered down when a couple of people sitting in front of them shot them dirty looks.

Emily put her hand over her mouth, a gesture she’d done their whole lives when she was trying not to giggle. She caught him staring at her and gave him a knowing wiggle of her nose. It only made her even more attractive. She used to do that when they passed notes in art class in seventh grade.

The minister continued talking, and Tom looked up at the couple, who were holding each other’s hands and giving each other dramatic looks. It was almost like this was a show, like they were at a theater and the bride and groom were pretending to get married.

Emily gasped next to him, her face turning white. When he followed her gaze, her eyes were locked with a guy who was on the other side of the wedding attendees. The guy met his gaze but didn’t stare very long, quickly turning back to the front.

Worry pulsed through him. “What?” He leaned over, protectively putting his arm around her chair.

Emily blinked furiously and sucked in a breath. “I don’t know,” she whispered.

Tom watched as the guy slowly got up from the edge of the aisle on the other side, rushed back toward the tent, and disappeared. Emily’s face regained a little color, but Tom saw fear in her eyes. “What’s wrong?” he asked.

Emily shook her head like she didn’t want to talk about it.

Tom waited, feeling all keyed up, like he needed to chase the guy down and kick his butt. Something had clearly happened.

Before Tom knew it, the minister announced, “I now pronounce you man and wife.”

The audience clapped and cheered. Tom wasn’t watching the couple, though, and he wasn’t clapping.

Emily pasted on a fake smile, clapped half-heartedly, and smiled at some joke Melissa was telling. Then she put her hand to her stomach. Tom had seen that look all through grade school whenever someone in class lost their lunch. Emily had a weak stomach, and he knew she was going to puke.