Page 106 of Ripple Effect

We stay like that for a few moments, wrapped up together, until Elio finally groans and rouses himself from bed. I follow behind, playing with Bentley on the floor as he rifles through his clothing.

“You know,” I begin, shifting on my knees to face him. “I’m excited to finally meet Kaia.”

I can already picture the four of us together, watching the sky light up over Amber Isle as we ring in the New Year.

“Yeah, she won’t shut up about it, either,” he says, giving me a sideways smile. “Too bad Beck’s tagging along with her.”

I tilt my head. “What’s your deal with him, anyway?”

“Nothing really,” he admits. “We used to rag on him before they started dating. He’s just rich, perfect, a silver-spoon sort of guy. It’s more so just a running joke at this point. I think he’s actually a decent person.”

I lift a brow in mock surprise. “Decent? Wow, high praise.”

“He’s good, I mean,” he amends, and I can’t help but notice the slight grimace, as if admitting such a thing costs him dearly. “Good for Kaia, anyway. I’m glad they’re together now, actually. He’s helped her work through a lot this past year.”

I nod, a teasing smile playing on my lips. “Much better. Let’s keep that attitude when we see them tonight.”

“Yeah, yeah,” he says with a mock groan. “For you? Always on my best behavior.”

“That’s what I like to hear.”

* * *

The evening chillof the beach sweeps over us, tendrils of cold wind gently tugging at the hem of my sweater. But the bonfire fights back, radiating heat against the backdrop of the vast, dark ocean.

Kaia and I are seated on logs around the fire, roasting marshmallows. There’s an art to it, one that I’ve never quite mastered. They always end up too charred or too raw.

Kaia, on the other hand, roasts hers to a golden-brown perfection.

As we carefully sandwich them between graham crackers and chocolate, I glance over to where our boyfriends are tossing a football. Their movements are fluid, easy, and their laughter reaches us over the sound of crackling wood and the distant murmur of the sea.

“I have to admit,” Kaia starts, watching them with an amused glint in her eyes, “I never imagined those two doing something so ... what’s the word?Bro-y?”

I chuckle, biting into my too-charred s’more. “Right? I didn’t even know Elio knew how to throw a football, to be honest.”

She laughs, her silver bangles jingling, the lighthouse charm glinting in the firelight. “Yeah, he definitely doesn’t take after his brother in that department.” She sighs, her gaze drifting toward the gentle waves. “But it’s really good to see him like this. So carefree.”

“Yeah, he’s come a long way this semester,” I agree, licking melted chocolate from my fingers. I lean back, the grit of the sand pushing through the blanket beneath me.

“He has a lot of good things going for him now,” she says. “You being one of the most important.”

I give her a warm smile and cast a fleeting look in Elio’s direction. He meets my gaze, a lopsided grin in place, and all I can feel is butterflies.

“Fresh starts,” I muse, turning back to Kaia. “That’s what the new year’s all about, isn’t it?”

She nods, her dark curls catching the firelight. “Second chances, new beginnings. Maybe some resolutions we’ll pretend to keep for a week or two.”

I nudge her with my elbow. “Cynic.”

She laughs. “Yeah, I get that a lot.”

The night darkens around us, and as the hour draws nearer, we layer up with blankets, huddling close to the fire. Holden leans against his girlfriend, and I catch a glimpse of their sweet intimacy.

“Baby, you make every year better than the last,” he whispers, and I can’t help but smile at the tenderness in his words.

And then, someone produces a speaker from somewhere, and the air is filled with a countdown broadcast. It’s the final ten minutes of the year.

Elio sits beside me, his warmth seeping through our multiple layers. “Ready to say goodbye?” he murmurs, his breath warm against the shell of my ear.

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