“Bri, these cards are great today,” Sadie says, grabbing the last of the new cards I had printed yesterday and placing them on the shelf of her quaint gift shop: Cardston’s Cards.

“Thanks, hopefully these sell as well as the last batch.” People love my cards, and I couldn't be happier. After the shock wore off, giddiness set in. I'm free. I make my own money, and I can spend it any way I want. I can drive wherever the urge takes me. Anything I want. The world is my oyster and North Carolina has plenty.

I watch her position the display and run a hand through my now shorter hair. To go with the new me, I tried dying it a few weeks after I arrived, but in the end decided the natural auburn color suited me better.

Six months ago I was murdered.

Six months ago Xavier Stone ended my life to have me begin a new one.

And now I’m reborn, as Brianna Stoneworthy, a greeting card designer who lives on a sandy beach town in North Carolina. When Dean left me here, he told me to lay low until after the trial, a request I remain loyal to. I won’t put anyone in jeopardy.

After saying goodbye to Sadie, I head toward the beach. The light breeze promises that Spring will soon be here.

I wrap my sweater tighter around me, losing my fingers in the long sleeves. It's a different beautiful here than Maine, and I love it just as much. Wild horses and barbecue. Sometimes we have everything mapped out, but it's only a pitstop to the real destination.

The rolling ocean crashes against the shore, and I stand at the edge, watching the push and pull. Just like my heart with Xavier. God, I miss him.

I’ve dealt with missing Xavier in my life once before. But now, knowing the man he’s become, and everything he did for me, the pain is harder to control. Just remembering his soft touch is enough to bring me to my knees. LA feels a lifetime away, but I would travel there in a heartbeat if I knew we could be together. But we can't. Not with my father’s upcoming trial flashing on the national news. I cringe every time it comes on.

Along with all of his illegal dealings, he’s also being charged with Hannah’s murder.

It’s sad how one person’s actions can affect so many around them.

It took me a while to fully comprehend my father’s selfishness; not caring he was destroying those around him. Even Ian. He was so caught up in the fame and money. The greed of office consumed him.

Xavier is nothing like them.

When the tide begins to rise, I head home to the cozy, one-story, bungalow Xavier set me up in. It’s perfect. He even remembered the wrap-around porch.

When I round the corner of the street leading to my house, I spot my mom’s car in the drive. Yes, he even saved my mom. And she helped save me. Turns out she was his inside informant. After a stint in rehab, she joined me here in her own house across town.

“Hey, Mom,” I greet her, closing the distance.

She smiles, pulling me in for a hug. “I brought you a surprise.”

Expecting her to whip out my favorite pear preserves she's become obsessed with making, I glance over in confusion when she nods her head toward my front door. And that’s when I see Xavier, in a grey tailored suit, lifting his devilishly gorgeous lips into a smile. The swarm of eagles take flight.

“I'll call you later,” mom says, slipping into her car.

My heart beats as wild as the horses that sometimes roam the beach as I approach him.

“Hey, Rhi,” he says. Husky. Deep. Sexy. It's been way too long since I heard his voice.

“I think you have me mistaken for someone else,” I tease, joining him on the porch. “It’s Bri now.”

“Oh, that’s right. Can I come inside?” he asks.

“I don’t know? You armed?” I smile up at him and he cracks a wide grin. A real one. No longer tainted with secrets.

“I am packing a big weapon in my pants, but I’ll keep it contained.”

I open the door. “Come on in.”

“Nice place.” He steps around, glancing at the pictures hanging that I drew myself.

Obviously, I have to get the elephant out of the room. It doesn't fit in here with my sunny furniture. “You shot me.”

“Rhi…”

“No, you shot me and you didn’t think you should have told me you were going to do that?” I ask, more happy he’s here, but a tad agitated about him not telling me his plan.

“I couldn’t tell you.”

“Why?” I give him my best death stare, and hope it’s working.

He rakes his bottom teeth across his lower lip. “I like your hair like this.” He lifts his hand, ruffling the edges of my short hair.

I swat him away. “You’re not answering me. Like always.”

“Well, I didn’t technically,” he draws out the word, “shoot you.”

“Same difference.”

He steps closer. “I know I’m about ten years and six months too late, but would you like to go to prom with me?”

My brow furrows. “What?”

“Prom?”

“Yes, I know what prom is, but…”

“Would you want to go,” he lowers his head, “with me?”

“Where? How?” I laugh a little. “When?"

He sticks his head out the door, and a few minutes later Dean strolls into the house with a garment and shopping bags.

“Get ready, I’ll be waiting,” Xavier breathes. He’s so beautiful, it sends an ache to my chest just staring at him.

An hour later, I’m dressed in a vibrant red cocktail dress and slipping into the back seat with Xavier.

Dean pulls away, racing toward the lights of downtown.

Xavier grabs my hand, and the eagles take flight inside me. This is the best feeling in the world, holding my best friend’s hand. And he is my friend. He always will be. We forged that connection long ago, under the stars, out in front of the sun, and beneath the clouds every day.

So, when we pull up to a hotel and enter into the grand ballroom, I smile, still holding my best friend’s hand.

There’s no one here, just us and the music that sweeps in through the sound system.

He pulls me close, wrapping a hand around my waist. “Dance with me.”

And we sway to the music, both of us wishing this was our reality many years ago. A life we were robbed of by my father.

I know I want this man by my side for the rest of my life, and if we can only have these stolen moments together every now and then, well, that’ll be perfect too.

“I’ve missed you so much,” he whispers in my ear.

“I miss you all the time.”

“I’m always here for you, Rhi,” he says, using my real first name.

He leans down, brushing his lips with mine, and I let myself succumb to his kiss. It’s longing and passion all rolled into one. And I want to tell him all the things. I want to thank him for all the things as well.

I tug at the back of his neck, thanking—loving—him with my body.

He’s my Xavier. He always was and will always be. Even if we don’t end up together in a traditional happily ever after fashion, I’m good with it.

My eyes mist over at the thought.

The off visits every few months. The sneaking around. The never being able to be his wife. And even though I would take it over nothing, my heart still burns for a better future.

“Why so sad, sweetheart?” He lifts my chin with his finger.

“I just want to be with you so bad.” And then I take the leap. “I love you.”

His eyes bore into mine. “I love you so much more.” And then he kisses me again, and I forget everything.

We dance the night away, never once letting the other go. And I don’t even notice the time when Xavier leans over telling me it’s time to go.

I don’t want this night to end. I pray and hope it won’t. He caresses the turtle dove necklace against my skin, and I smile at him.

“So, Miss Stoneworthy, should we head back to your place?”

I park a hand on my hip. “That reminds me, nice name, Mr. Stone.”

He laughs and places a finger over his lips. “Shh, name’s Mr. Doves, Jack Doves. Nice to meet you.”

My heart didn’t hear him right as it skips a beat. “What do you mean?”

But he doesn’t answer, and just keeps talking, “And if you don’t like your last name, then we should remedy that soon with a wedding. I think Brianna Doves has a nice ring to it.”

I know I’m not a squee’ing type of girl, but some sort of excited sound erupts from my lips as I fling my arms around Xavier.

Best life ever.