Lily’s pov

Lucian drove in silence for a while, one hand on the wheel, the other resting lightly on my thigh. The city slowly fell away behind us until the road opened up and the scent of salt water started drifting through the open window.

When the beach finally came into view he parked a little away from the main stretch, where the sand was quieter.

He turned to me, voice soft.

“I want you to have a nice time today. Forget about everything. Just have fun, Lily. You’ve been through a lot lately.”

Something in my chest loosened. I leaned across the seat and hugged him tightly, burying my...