Until Next Summer

Prologue

THERE’S NOTHING LIKE SUMMER at the beach.

The warmth of the sun, the caress of a sea breeze, and the soft burrow of toes into fine, grainy sand. The smell of sunscreen and salt, and the endless soundtrack of waves crashing along the shore.

Swimming, laughing, and walking along the pier. Ice cream, lobster rolls, and saltwater taffy. Lazy afternoons, late nights, sleeping until noon.

My summers have always been the same in the best way.

My summers have always been about friendship and never about love.

Until this one.

This summer was different.