I’m Already Gone

Prologue

Lily

Ethan’s fingers traced a slow, deliberate path from my temple, over the curve of my cheekbone, and along my throat. “You know,” he murmured, his voice a low rumble against the quiet roar of the ocean, “I didn’t know what true happiness was before I met you.”

Stretched out on my stomach on the sun-warmed sand, I smiled.

My eyes drifted to the familiar landscape inked onto his right bicep. It was a beautiful sunset of fiery oranges and deep indigos swirling above Sunset Cove Beach. And in bold black ink written on the sand was his nickname for me: Sunshine.

Propped on one elbow and turned fully toward me, our faces were so close I could lean in an inch and press my mouth against his full, tempting lips.

“Is that so, Mr. Hartley?” I purred, letting my gaze linger on his mouth for a beat too long before flicking up to his eyes. “Because I’m pretty sure you became my favorite part of my days from the moment you said hello.”

His grin grew until his perfect white teeth gleamed against his tan. “It must have been one hell of a hello since you married me,” he teased.

“The very best,” I confirmed, a soft smile playing on my lips. “I bet you don’t even remember that day.”

The blue in his eyes, already dazzling, seemed to catch the sun’s reflection like scattered diamonds. He held my gaze before he answered.

“You were wearing a sleeveless periwinkle summer dress with white glitter gel sandals. Your hair was pulled up into a ponytail wrapped in a purple satin ribbon. And you had a smile that lit up every room you walked into.”

My breath hitched, my heart doing a little kick against my ribs. “You remember that?” I asked.

“Every detail,” he affirmed, his thumb brushing over my jawline. “I remember thinking, ‘I’m going to marry that girl one day.’”

I felt my neck warming, and not because of the sun.

“I don’t know why you’re so surprised. Every day since, you have taken my breath away.”

He shifted, his hand moving from my jaw to cup my chin and pull me into him. His lips found mine in a slow, sweet kiss that spoke of years of love that had deepened over time, and welcomed two children later.

“You have no idea how much I love you,” I murmured against his mouth.

“I think I have a pretty good idea,” he breathed back, his lips lingering.

“Mom! Dad! Look!” Jake, our ten-year-old, bellowed.

We blinked, pulling ourselves reluctantly away from our shared moment. Ethan and I looked to see Jake standing proudly beside the sandcastle he had made with his seven-year-old sister, Maddy, who was bouncing with excitement.

“Do you like it?” Maddy asked, beaming so hard I thought her face might split in half.

“We love it!” I exclaimed.

“Watch out for the waves, though!” Ethan called out.

Jake and Maddy spun around as a foamy wave surged closer. They scrambled to protect their masterpiece. “Come on, Maddy! Sit in front of it,” Jake ordered. Maddy always did everything her big brother said, and she plopped herself down, using her little body as a barricade.

Jake was spreading his legs apart, planting his fists on his hips like Superman as if he had the power to hold back the disaster that was about to happen.

Suddenly, a larger wave crashed into Maddy, knocking her back into the castle.

“Oh, no!” Maddy cried out, pushing herself onto her feet.

“Ah, man!” Jake stomped his bare feet into the wet sand.

Ethan sprang to his feet, brushing the sand from his hands. “Come on, Sunshine,” he said.

I peered up at him from my comfortable spot on the blanket, a playful pout on my lips. “Why? I’m fine where I am.”

He grinned that infuriatingly sexy grin that always made my insides puddy, making me want to do inappropriate things to him.

“Our children are sad,” he said. “And what’s the one thing that can make them smile?”

I chuckled and rose to my feet. “Our version of tag?” I asked him.

He nodded, his smirk firmly in place. “Ready? On three.”

“Kids!” I shouted, taking a few steps backward. “Dad’s counting to three! You know what that means!”

“Grab and Splash!” Maddy shrieked back, her small legs pumping as she ran towards me.

“Jake! You ready?” Ethan boomed.

“Yeah!” Jake rushed past us to stand proudly beside his father, adopting a hunter’s stance.

Ethan and Jake prowled toward us, their eyes fixed on their prey.

“One,” Ethan rumbled, drawing out the word.

I grabbed Maddy’s hand, her excitement a tangible current flowing through our joined palms.

“Two,” he continued, a predatory gleam in his eyes.

“Ready?” I looked down at Maddy. She bobbed her head wildly, her wet, blond hair sticking to her cheeks.

My gaze snapped back to Ethan and Jake. Ethan’s dark and intense eyes burned into mine.

Ready, locked, and loaded.

“Three,” he said very slowly, his voice a low growl that sent a shiver dancing down my spine. Then he lunged.

“Run!” A playful shriek escaped my lips.

Maddy let out a joyful squeal and raced along the sandy shore, leaving a trail of footprints behind her.

I risked a glance over my shoulder. Ethan and Jake were closing in. “We have to split up!” I informed Maddy, my breath coming in short gasps.

Her eyes widened in surprise. “Now?”

“Yes!” I panted, my feet sinking with each step into the soft sand. “Ready?”

“Yeah!” she said breathlessly, her own little chest heaving.

I looked back again. Jake’s face was flushed with exertion, a huge smile plastered across it. Turning back to Maddy, I commanded, “Now!”

I let go of her hand, and she veered sharply backward, a move that momentarily threw the boys off. It worked for a split second until Jake took off after her.

“Run, Maddy! Keep going, sweet pea!” I yelled, my aching feet still pounding towards the shoreline.

“Gotcha!” Jake yelled, reaching out. Maddy squealed again.

“Give up, Sunshine!” Ethan roared through the crash of the waves.

“Run, Mom! Run!” Maddy cheered.

“Get her, Dad!” Jake hollered.

I continued to run my ass off, the waves lapping at my ankles. But my husband wasn’t messing around. He lowered his shoulder like a freaking linebacker and increased his speed.

“AH!” I shrieked. I tried to dodge him, but Ethan knew my every move.

He leaped, his strong arms wrapping around my waist, lifting me effortlessly off my feet.

“Mine!” he grunted, a possessive, sexy growl against my ear. He held me tight, my legs kicking playfully in the air.

“No!” I gasped, laughing.

He adjusted his grip, hoisting me up until I was slung over his shoulder.

“Ethan!” I protested. “Put me down!”

“No can do, Sunshine,” he declared, already striding into the ocean. “The game is called Grab and Splash for a reason.”

“Splash! Splash! Splash!” Jake and Maddy yelled, jumping up and down.

The water rose past Ethan’s knees, then his waist. I squirmed, but secretly, I loved every single minute of it—the scent of his mint aftershave and the feel of his solid body beneath me.

“Don’t you dare, Ethan James!” I warned, though my voice was shaking with laughter.

“Sorry, Lily,” he said in a voice that said he was anything but sorry. “But the kids are demanding a show. And I plan to deliver.”

Before I could object, Ethan dove forward. The ocean embraced us both, a sudden, cold shock. I slipped from his shoulder as we hit the water.

I came up sputtering, my hair plastered to my face, salty water stinging my eyes. I wiped a hand across my face, pushing the wet strands back, clearing my vision. “You’re insane!” I accused, still laughing.

Ethan shook his head like a wet dog, sending a spray of droplets everywhere, then ran a hand through his messy hair. He grinned that stupidly handsome grin, pulling me close, the ocean swirling around our waists.

“Happy birthday, Sunshine.”

My heart swelled, a wave of warmth washing over me, warmer than any sun. I leaned into him, wrapping my arms around his neck. “You’re lucky I’m crazy in love with you, Ethan James.”

His grin grew even wider, ridiculously, stupidly big. He squeezed me tight, his voice a soft murmur against my lips. “I promise I’ll never let you go, Lily. I love you so much.”

This was our life. This was our family. I am so incredibly grateful for each of them being the reason this is the happiest of birthdays. And I would forever hold onto this moment, no matter what came our way.