Chapter nine

I barely slept that night.

Lucas's words replayed in my mind over and over again, tangled with the memories I had spent years trying to bury.

"I'll wait. As long as it takes."

I didn't know how to process that.

Because the truth was, despite everything, a part of me still wanted him. And that terrified me.

I needed space. Time. Something to clear my head before I did something stupid—like believe in him again.

So when morning came, I was already up, throwing on a sundress and slipping out before anyone else in the house could corner me with questions about last night.

The beach was quiet, just the way I needed it. The ocean stretched out endlessly before me, waves crashing against the shore in a soothing rhythm. I closed my eyes, letting the salty breeze fill my lungs.

I can't do this again.

I had barely begun convincing myself of that when I heard footsteps behind me.

"Thought I'd find you here."

I stiffened at the sound of Lucas's voice, but I didn't turn around.

"I needed some air."

He moved beside me, his presence as overwhelming as ever. "Running away?"

I let out a humorless laugh. "Says the guy who disappeared for years?"

Lucas exhaled. "Fair point."

Silence stretched between us, the ocean the only sound.

Finally, I turned to him. "Why are you really here, Lucas? And don't tell me it's just for Andrew's wedding."

He hesitated, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Because I needed to see you."

I swallowed hard. "And then what?"

Lucas's gaze softened. "I don't know. I just… I couldn't stay away anymore."

Something in his voice made my chest ache.

I looked away, staring at the waves. "You think we can just pick up where we left off?"

"No." His answer was immediate. Honest. "But I do think we can start again."

I turned back to him, searching his face. "And if I say no?"

His jaw tightened. "Then I'll walk away."

I sucked in a breath, caught off guard.

"I'm not here to force anything, Claire," he continued. "I just need you to know that I never stopped caring. And if there's even the smallest chance that you still feel something too… I'll wait."

My heart pounded.

Because the truth was, I did still feel something. But feelings weren't enough.

"Lucas…" I trailed off, shaking my head. "I don't know if I can go through this again."

He nodded, his expression unreadable. "I get it."

And then, before I could say anything else, he turned and walked away.

I stood there, watching him go, the ache in my chest unbearable.

And I hated that a part of me already missed him.

I told myself I wouldn't think about him.

That I wouldn't let the weight of his words settle into my chest, making me question everything I had worked so hard to move past.

But as I sat at the long, elegantly decorated table at Andrew and Emma's rehearsal dinner, pretending to listen to the conversation around me, I could feel Lucas's presence like a gravitational pull.

He was seated two tables away, laughing at something one of the groomsmen said, looking completely unaffected.

I, on the other hand, was barely keeping it together.

"You okay?"

I blinked, dragging my gaze away from Lucas to find Emma watching me curiously.

I forced a smile. "Yeah. Just tired."

Emma narrowed her eyes slightly, then followed my line of sight. Her lips curved knowingly. "Ah."

I sighed. "Don't."

She grinned. "Don't what?"

"Don't read into things that aren't there."

Emma leaned closer. "Claire, you've been stealing glances at him all night. And he's been doing the same thing."

I stiffened. "No, he hasn't."

Emma snorted. "You're right. He just happens to look over every time you do."

I opened my mouth to argue, but before I could, someone clinked a spoon against their glass, silencing the chatter in the room.

Andrew stood, smiling broadly. "First of all, Emma and I just want to thank you all for being here. It means the world to us to have our closest friends and family together before the big day."

A chorus of cheers and applause filled the room.

Andrew grinned. "Now, since we'll be exchanging vows tomorrow, we thought tonight should be more relaxed—so we're kicking things off with a little game."

Groans and laughter rippled through the guests.

Emma squeezed my arm excitedly. "I love games!"

Andrew smirked. "Good, because this one requires audience participation. We're going to play Unfinished Business."

A murmur of curiosity spread through the guests.

Andrew continued, "Basically, if you have any unresolved issues—whether it's a grudge, a confession, anything—now's your chance to air it out. Publicly."

Laughter erupted, but my stomach clenched.

"Oh my God, this is brilliant," Emma whispered.

I, however, was already mentally mapping out my escape route.

Andrew grinned mischievously. "To make things even more interesting, names will be drawn at random."

I shot Emma a panicked look, but she just grinned, clearly thrilled by the chaos about to unfold.

Andrew reached into a glass bowl. "Alright, let's see…"

He pulled out a slip of paper and read it aloud.

"Claire."

My heart stopped.

The room erupted in laughter and applause as every pair of eyes turned to me.

Emma squealed beside me. "This is amazing."

I wanted to die.

Andrew chuckled. "Alright, Claire, you get to call someone out. Any unfinished business?"

I could say no. I should say no.

But before I could process what I was doing, my gaze locked onto Lucas.

And to my horror, words left my mouth before I could stop them.

"Yeah." I swallowed hard. "I do."

A hush fell over the room.

Lucas's easy smile faded as our eyes met.

Andrew grinned. "And who's the lucky person?"

The air was thick with anticipation.

I took a steadying breath, then said the one name that had haunted me for years.

"Lucas."

A ripple of murmurs spread through the guests. Someone whistled.

Lucas raised an eyebrow, but something unreadable flickered in his eyes. "Guess I should've seen that coming."

Laughter rang out, but I barely heard it over the sound of my own pulse pounding in my ears.

Andrew clapped his hands. "Alright, let's hear it."

I hesitated, suddenly hyperaware of the fact that I was about to air out my very complicated past with Lucas in front of an audience.

But it was too late now.

I inhaled deeply and looked him right in the eyes.

"Why did you really leave?"

The room went dead silent.

Lucas held my gaze, something flickering in his expression. For a moment, I thought he wouldn't answer.

Then, slowly, he stood.

And I knew, without a doubt, that this was about to change everything.