This game that has become so thrilling was created because Josh was scared. All of a sudden it’s not so fun.
“I love him, Ryder.” I stare at the note, almost ashamed. “He’s the greatest man I’ve ever known and I wouldn’t want to be with anyone else. I guess I just got scared that he could change on me.”
“He won’t,” Ryder says with deep confidence.
When I don’t respond or look up he places a gentle finger under my chin, lifting until I meet his eyes.
“He won’t change, Sophie,” Ryder promises. “I’ve known him since we were teenagers. He’s stable and dependable. He would lay his life down for you. But you already know that, don’t you?”
“Yes. I already know that.” I feel a hint of smile coming back.
“And, Soph, I know a little bit about psychology. Douchebags who abuse isolate you and keep you away from family and friends, and especially those of the opposite sex.”
He’s right. “Josh has given me all of those gifts—family and friends.”
“You definitely got all of us in the deal.” Ryder hugs me. “And even though he doesn’t need it, you can be sure we’ll always hold him accountable.”
“CLEAR!” the voice in the megaphone roars.
“Oh shit!” He quickly grips me by the shoulders and turns me to face the window. “Hurry and open the note!” Ryder laughs. “Never mind—watch out the window instead.”
Both wrecking balls come swinging down and hit, just seconds apart. You can hear the crash of iron against concrete.
“Whoa!” With one hit, the building begins to crack.
As the wrecking balls retract, I open my letter from Josh.
It’s simple but poignant.
I’m breaking down your walls, baby!
Yes you are, Josh North. Yes you are.
***
“Can we please just face the fact that I can’t do it?” I laugh—soaking wet as I sit after falling for the millionth time on my sore ass on the bottom of this wave pool.
“You don’t get to give up yet, sister!” Josh’s younger brother Will takes my hand and pulls me back to my feet.
“It took me almost a month to even be able to stand on the board for like … a fraction of a second,” Kate says dramatically. “Really, what might be the most fun is to just lay on the board with your belly and enjoy the ride.”
“You’ve been trying for over half an hour, and we don’t really want shit from Josh ’cause you get all bruised up,” Sam pipes in.
“Okay. I relent.” I lift my hands. “I’ll ride on my stomach.”
The four of us are at the Mall of America’s waterpark, where they have a surfing pool—some machine makes waves, and voila, you can pseudo-surf—only I suck at it … hard. Even with all of the assistance and private lessons here from three of the world’s top extreme sports enthusiasts, who are soon to be my in-laws.
“You’ve never even boogie boarded, have you?” Kate stands over me with her hands on her hips.
“Nope.” I laugh as I awkwardly mount the surfboard.
Again.
Only this time, I’m trying to lay down. And I feel like an idiot. I must look like a real idiot!
“I think the champion surfing queen has it all under control.” Will throws a thumb in Kate’s direction. “The girl over there in the polka-dot bikini keeps on giving me the look. Gotta go.”
Kate shows me where to hold my hands and when to catch the wave. I ride into the softer material of “shore,” feeling pretty awesome!
After a few more runs Kate, Sam and I get out and dry off.
It’s pretty incredible, you know,” Kate muses. “All of these beautiful love notes in gold foil envelopes and this treasure hunt adventure, all to tell you just how much he loves you. The North men are so romantic.” She looks at Sam and he pulls her in close for a kiss.
They exchange a knowing look. “Okay, what’s the story?”
“I had a real hard time coming out of the shell I’d built up around me after my brother died. Sam broke me free.” She smiles up at him with such love and gratitude.
“How was he romantic?” I ask.
She laughs. “Well, first, he wouldn’t stop asking me out!”
“Nope.” He smiles in a very cocky way. “I knew she couldn’t resist my charms forever.”
“He’s right about that.” Kate continues, “I hid out at this little hole-in-the-wall Irish pub called Kell’s back in Seattle. And Sam made a deal with the bar owner and his rock star band packed the house and played acoustic, just so he could sing a Goo Goo Dolls song to me. He said—on stage, mind you—that because I wouldn’t go on a date with him, he had to bring the date to me. And made the entire audience vouch for him that he wasn’t a stalker.”
“We’ve been together ever since.” Sam kisses her again.
“You’re right. The North men are incredibly romantic,” I smile lovingly at the two of them as I think about me and Josh.