Rescuing My Best Friend’s Girl

PROLOGUE

GRACE

The lighthouse casts its warm, steady glow over Seabrook’s town square, the light weaving through the lively festival below. The hum of music, bursts of laughter, and the chatter of neighbors and friends fill the still warm-summery evening air, wrapping the town in a sense of unity and celebration. Tonight is more than the town’s traditional bonfire, marking the halfway point of summer—it’s a triumph, a moment to honor what we’ve fought so hard to protect.

Standing beside Luke, my hand nestled securely in his, I let the last few days replay in my mind like the ebb and flow of the tide. The battle to preserve Seabrook, the doubts that had gripped me, the quiet moments of hope—it all feels like a storm that’s finally passed. Coastal Enterprises, with their reckless plans to transform our beloved coastline into a hub of profit-driven development, had seemed unstoppable. They’d been willing to sacrifice the fragile marine ecosystem for their gain, threatening to disrupt the delicate currents and the vibrant sea life that make Seabrook home.

But they underestimated us. Luke stood at the forefront, a constant presence who rallied the town when I feared there was nothing left to fight for. Together, we unearthed the truth about the corporation’s careless plans, presenting undeniable evidence that turned the tide against them.

With the town standing united, Coastal Enterprises had no choice but to retreat.

The relief of knowing Seabrook’s waters are still vibrant, the marine life untouched by pollution’s grasp, fills me with renewed gratitude and purpose. The creatures I’ve spent my career studying and protecting will continue to thrive, their habitats safe for now. As I take in the familiar faces of our community, gathered here in celebration, a sense of pride wells within me.

We did this. We saved what matters, the way of life of Seabrook, Massachusetts.

I glance at Luke, his profile illuminated by the golden glow of the lighthouse. His presence roots me in the moment, reminding me of how far we’ve come—not just in this fight, but in our own journey together. He’s not just the boy who once held my heart, but the man who came back to me, stronger and more steadfast than ever.

Our fingers intertwine instinctively, as they do so often these days.

“You know I’m proud of you, right?” I say, turning toward him.

He tilts his head, his shy smile still capable of making my heart skip. “Why’s that?”

“For standing by me when I wasn’t sure how to stand on my own. For being everything I didn’t know I needed.”

His thumb brushes over my knuckles, warmth radiating through me at the tender gesture. “I think we’ve both been that for each other.”

As the festival swirls around us, I feel the weight of the past lifting, replaced by something brighter—a shared hope, a new beginning. It’s not just the victory that matters. It’s the resilience we’ve found together, the deeper connection forged through every challenge.

The night deepens, and hand in hand, Luke and I leave the glowing square behind. We walk toward the lighthouse, the crash of waves against the rocky shore a rhythm that tethers me to this place I call home. The light above us shines, unyielding and constant, a beacon that feels like a promise. This is where it all began, where I once believed I’d lost everything, and where I’ve found so much more.

Luke stops just before the lighthouse’s base, turning to face me fully. His eyes, soft with emotion, hold mine. “Grace, there’s something I’ve been wanting to say.”

“What is it?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

He reaches for me, his hands strong and warm as they cradle my cheeks. “I love you. I never stopped loving you, not even when I thought I had to let you go. Not even when I was too stubborn to admit it.”

His words wash over me, like the embrace of a nostalgic scent, unexpected and overwhelming in their depth. Tears blur my vision, but this time they’re tears of joy, of relief, of a love that has weathered every storm.

“I love you too,” I say, my voice breaking. “I always have.”

He pulls me into his arms, and for the first time in years, I feel entirely whole.

“I want to build a life with you, Grace. Here in Seabrook. I don’t just want to protect this town—I want to protect you, be by your side, for the rest of my life.”

My chest swells, my heart full as I look up at him. “I want that too. More than anything.”

The light from the lighthouse casts a halo around us, as if sealing this moment in time. The future stretches before us, filled with possibilities shaped not by what we’ve endured but by what we’ve overcome. Together.