(Avery)
I squeezed Elias's hand tighter as we pulled into the beach parking lot. The sky was getting brighter by the minute, streaks of orange and pink spreading across the horizon. My heart was racing with excitement.
"There they are," I said, pointing to Jackson and Luca sitting on a piece of driftwood near the entrance to the beach. They both looked up when they heard the car doors slam.
Jackson jumped up first, his face breaking into that grin that always made my knees weak. "About time you two showed up!"
Before I could even respond, he was jogging over to me. Without warning, he scooped me up in his arms, carrying me like I was weightless. I laughed and wrapped my arms around his neck.
"Jackson, put me down!" I protested, but I was laughing too hard to sound serious.
"Not a cha
