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“I know.” I grin at her. “Proof that you can do anything.”

“Except neither one of us is in a swimsuit.”

“Clothes dry.”

She studies me for a moment before her gaze drops to my hand. Then, right when I think she’s going to refuse, she slips her hand into mine and lets me pull her to her feet. “On the count of three?”

I nod.

“One,” she starts. “Two—three!” She takes off, sprinting toward the water, all of the light that had diminished shining brightly once more.

Chapter 16

Dahlia

Feeling lighter than I have since my grandfather died—that I can remember, anyway—I walk into the diner alongside Ryker. After our morning swim, where I laughed more than I think I ever have, we’d gone back to his house and changed back into dry clothes.

Watching the sun rise from the cold ocean alongside Ryker was a dream come true. For a moment, I’d been able to forget why he was with me. For a moment, it had been almost date-adjacent.

Which was nice.

Of course, reality set in shortly after that, but it didn’t diminish the absolute joy I was left with.

“Hey, there, Ryker,” an older woman greets. “And who is this?”

“Maddie, this is Dahlia Swanson. Dahlia, this is Maddie. She and her husband own the diner.”

“It’s nice to meet you.”

“Oh, you too, darling! You’re the girl that went over the bridge.”

Fantastic thing to be known by. “I am. Ryker is helping me piece together my life.”

“Of course he is. Ryker is the best.” She beams. “Take a seat wherever, and I’ll bring you over some menus.”

“I just love that everyone seems to know you here,” I say as Ryker guides us over to a booth. He sits across from me, facing the door.

“Like I said, it has its ups and downs.”

“What are the downs?”

He leans in. “No privacy.”

I laugh. “Fair enough.”

“Here you go. Coffee?” she offers, setting the menus down.

“Yes, please, that would be great,” I say, taking one of the menus and opening it up.

“Thanks, Maddie.”

“You’re welcome.” She hums as she walks away, and the joy in her demeanor only further improves my mood.

“Ooh, this French toast looks amazing.”

“It’s my personal favorite,” Ryker replies. “Just have her add some extra cinnamon on top.”

I beam at him because that’s exactly what I was going to do. After closing the menu and pushing it to the side, I turn my full attention on Ryker.