Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
maddox
FOUR YEARS AGO
I gently caress her hair as we sit at our secret spot—a beach cove we stumbled upon years ago—watching the sunset together.
Streaks of gold and pink fill the horizon.
A week from now, we’ll be eight hundred miles apart, attending different colleges.
Each passing day fills me with dread. I inhale deeply, trying to memorize the smell of freshly bloomed roses and summer sun that seems to always cling to her.
“I really wish you were coming to New York with me,” Annalise says with a sigh.
I place a kiss on her forehead and interlace her delicate fingers with mine. “I know. Me too, Rosie. I hate the thought of being apart from you.”
Suddenly, she sits up straight and pulls away from me. I can tell by the distant look in her eyes that her mind is racing. “What if we don’t have time for each other? Or what if you meet some hot cheerleader in college and forget about me?”
“Hey, stop thinking like that.” I gently cup her cheeks and stare deeply into her eyes, trying to erase all the doubts from her mind.
“You have nothing to worry about, my love. You are the most beautiful girl in the world.” I gently brush a stray strand of hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear.
“I love you, Annalise Rose Monroe. I only have eyes for you.”
The worry in her expression begins to soften, melting away at my words. “There’s no one else for me.”
“I love you too, Maddy Bear.” She wraps her arms around my neck, kissing me passionately. I melt into her, savoring this moment.
“I know most couples split after high school, but we will not be a statistic,” I reassure her. “You are the person I want to spend the rest of my life with. You are my soulmate. No one else.”
Annalise’s eyes glisten, a huge grin spreading across her face. “And you are mine. I can’t wait to go to your games and cheer you on when you make it to the NBA.”
“And I can’t wait to sit front row at your fashion shows when you’re a world-famous designer.” I grin, reaching for her hand. “Maddalise forever.”
“You are sooo corny.” She chuckles, shaking her head.
“Says the one who calls me Maddy Bear!” I laugh, scooping her up and tossing her over my shoulder. She bursts into a fit of giggles as I take off running toward the water.