The morning sun stretched across the horizon, spilling gold over the water. Diana's sandals crunched against the boardwalk as she followed the trail of candles Emma had set up a whimsical line of glowing glass jars leading her down to the private stretch of beach.

Emma was waiting there barefoot, her sundress fluttering in the salty breeze. A picnic blanket was spread across the sand, dotted with strawberries, champagne, and seashells arranged in the shape of a heart. a heart.

Diana stopped, ...