Seven Summers Ago (Golden Coast #1)

Prologue

BECK

As Rosie runs into the waves with Stella and Daisy linked to each of her arms, I trudge through the sand barefoot with her high heels slung off my fingers. Her laughter reverberates through the air and rumbles in my chest. It’s the sweetest sound. I want to bottle it up so I’m never without it.

The tide is going out, leaving behind seashells and an assortment of sea glass in varying shades.

Christian and Jack jog up ahead, tossing a football back and forth.

I dig my toe into the sand and from my periphery, a piece of green sea glass nearly in the shape of a heart catches my eye.

I pick it up and brush the sand off with my thumb before stuffing it into my tuxedo pants pocket.

I lift my chin just in time to catch Rosie rushing toward me. She’s holding the fabric of her long green dress in her fist. Though it’s useless. The bottom of it is already soaked. But she doesn’t care.

When she reaches me, she launches herself into my arms and I catch her as she womps against my chest. It knocks the air out of my lungs for a second and I release a chuckle while she laughs and I swing her around.

“You caught me.” There’s amusement in her expression.

“Of course I did. I’ll always catch you.”

She grins, and light freckles blend into her cheeks as a blush fills them. “And that’s why I did it. Because I know I can count on you.”

“Always.”

“And forever,” she adds.

I lower her back down to her feet and gaze into her green eyes. “Yeah, and forever,” I agree, bending press a kiss to her forehead. “I have something for you.”

Her eyes glitter. “For me? What is it?”

I stuff my hand into my pocket and close my fist around the piece of sea glass. “You know I love you, right?”

“Beck,” she breathes out, and throws her head back. “Of course. It’s you and me. Forever.”

“That’s right.” I gift her with a small peck and then open my hand. “I found this for you.”

“Oh my gosh, it’s so pretty. I hardly ever find sea glass at this beach anymore.”

“It looks like a heart, doesn’t it?”

“Aw, it does. Thank you.”

I shrug. “It felt like a sign or something. Or luck.”

“We don’t need luck.” She wraps her arms around me and pushes up to her tiptoes, leaning her chest against mine. “We’ve got love, and that’s all that matters.”

I gaze down at her beaming smile.

“I was hoping you would say that.”

“As if you doubted it.” She gives me a rueful smile.

A tightness pulls in my chest. The world suddenly slips away, and I don’t think, I only act. “Rosie, I love you.”

“I love you too.” Her brows knit together. “What’s wrong?”

My pulse picks up. “Not today…but someday, will you, Rosie Hendrix, marry me?”

Her eyes water as they search mine.

“I’ll get you a real ring. I’ll do this all the right way. I’ll make it special and make it count. But I couldn’t wait. I love you, and I want you to spend the rest of your life with me.”

She shakes her head. “Yes. Yes, a thousand times, yes. Of course I’ll marry you.”

Relief fills my entire body. I wrap her up in my arms and lower my lips to hers, kissing her long and hard.

When I finally pull away, I close her fist around the sea glass, and say in a whisper, “Promise me you’ll keep this forever.

That way, when we’re old and gray, we’ll always remember tonight was the night we decided on forever. ”