By the time we returned to shore, the setting sun cast a warm orange glow across the sky.
The ocean had calmed, the waves rolling gently toward the sand as we guided the boat back toward the wharf.
Daisy jumped out first the moment we docked, stretching her arms above her head dramatically.
"Best idea ever," she declared.
Isabelle climbed out behind her, brushing sand from her legs. "My skin is officially burnt."
Amy laughed as she tied her hair into a messy bun. "It was worth it."
I secured the rope to the wooden post before stepping onto the dock beside them.
The air had cooled slightly, the ocean breeze brushing against our damp skin as the sky slowly shifted from orange to deep pink.
Daisy suddenly gasped.
"Oh my god."
We all turned toward her.
"What now?" Isabelle asked cautiously.
Daisy lifted her phone. "The sunset pictures!"
Before any of us could protest, she dragged Amy toward the waterline.
"Stand there!" she ordered. "Bride energy."
Amy groaned but complied, the wind catching the loose strands of her hair as Daisy began snapping photos like a professional photographer.
Isabelle leaned toward me. "She's going to post all of these tonight."
"Without permission," I added.
"Obviously."
After Daisy finished her photoshoot, we headed back toward the beach house, our feet sinking slightly into the warm sand as the sky darkened.
Soft lights were already glowing from the windows of the house ahead.
Amy sighed happily. "I could live here forever."
"Same," Daisy said.
As we climbed the wooden stairs toward the house, the sound of an engine echoed faintly from the driveway.
We all stopped.
Headlights appeared through the palm trees.
Daisy frowned. "Are we expecting someone?"
The headlights flickered off seconds after the engine was turned off.
Amy, Daisy, and I stood at the entrance of the beach house, staring at the vehicle as all four doors opened simultaneously. Isabelle had already retired to her room.
I gasped.
"Harley," I said. "What are you guys doing here?"
Harley walked up to me and leaned in, closing the distance between us.
"Did you miss me?"
My face burned with embarrassment as I tried to find my voice. Hearing Amy and Daisy's excitement in the background did not help either.
Amy leaned toward Daisy, whispering loudly enough for everyone to hear. "Oh my god, look at them."
Daisy grinned. "Should we leave them alone or keep watching?"
Amy clasped her hands dramatically. "No, no. I want to see where this goes."
"Sorry to disappoint," I said, crossing my arms. "But nothing is going to happen."
Harley chuckled.
Nicholas walked up to Amy and pulled her into a warm embrace. "How is the future Mrs. Lu doing?"
"So excited," Amy replied. "I can hardly wait to marry you."
As we entered the beach house, I noticed Daisy staring at James's back while he chatted with Harley.
I leaned closer and whispered, "Smitten with James."
Daisy froze in her tracks.
The guys followed Harley up the stairs, each claiming a vacant room.
Before I had the chance to continue teasing Daisy, Harley called out to me.
"We will be sharing a room for the rest of the vacation."
"What?" I yelled as I ran up the stairs. He beat me to my room and was already unpacking. "Why can't you sleep in one of the vacant rooms?"
Harley's lips curved upward. "Scared I'll make a move on you?"
I looked away with my arms crossed. "As if. It's improper for a young man and woman to share a room."
Harley stood up and loosened his tie, his eyes locked onto me. "Mom and Dad will be using that room."
"But—"
"We've slept in the same bed before," he said casually. "Why make a big deal out of nothing?"
"Seriously?" I groaned.
Turning in my heel, I exited the room. When I reached downstairs, everyone had already retired to their beds.
I walked into the kitchen and switched on the kettle. A cup of hot chocolate sounded perfect right now.
I grabbed a mug from the cupboard and poured two spoonfuls of chocolate powder into it.
"Make me a cup of coffee too."
I glanced over my shoulder and saw Harley leaning in the doorway with his arms crossed.
"With two cream and two sugar?" I asked, turning my attention back to the kettle as it clicked off.
"Black."
I nodded before pouring the hot water into the mug. The sweet smell of chocolate filled the air as I grabbed a bottle of whipped cream and chocolate syrup.
I piled a generous amount of whipped cream on top of the hot chocolate before drizzling chocolate syrup over it.
I took a sip.
I set my hot chocolate aside and made Harley's coffee. Carrying both mugs, I turned around—only to find he was no longer there.
I sighed.
When I entered the living room, I saw him through the floor-to-ceiling windows, leaning over the railing smoking.
I walked over to him and handed him his coffee. "Here."
"Thanks."
He took one last draw before putting the cigarette in the ashtray beside him. He picked up his coffee and took a sip.
I stood beside him in silence, watching the waves as the moonlight shimmered across the water.
"Isn't the view amazing?" I asked.
Harley glanced at me softly from the corner of his eyes. "Yes, it is."
I took another sip of my hot chocolate, licking the layer of whipped cream from my upper lip.
Harley paused mid-sip.
His eyes lingered on my face for a moment longer than necessary before he looked away and cleared his throat.
The ocean breeze drifted between us, carrying the salty scent of the sea.
Neither of us spoke for a moment.
The waves rolled gently against the shore below, their quiet rhythm filling the silence.
I leaned forward slightly against the railing.
"It's peaceful here at night," I murmured.
Harley set his coffee mug down on the railing beside him.
"It is."
Another moment passed.
Then he straightened slightly and glanced toward the dark stretch of beach below.
"Do you want to go for a walk?" he asked casually.
I looked at him in surprise.
"At this hour?"
Harley shrugged.
"The beach is better at night. No crowds. Just the ocean."
A small smile tugged at my lips.
"Alright," I said. "But if we get attacked by a crab, I'm blaming you."
Harley chuckled softly.
"Deal."
We finished the remaining bit of our drinks when another vehicle pulled up beside the one Harley drove.
The car door opened and Harley's parents stepped out, followed by Isabelle's husband and the twins.
As soon as the twins saw us, they ran over and hugged us.
Avalee, the older twin by five minutes, leaped into my arms, while Alexander chatted with Harley.
Avalee looked at me with puffed cheeks. "Auntie Sophie, how come you don't visit us anymore?"
I smiled at her. "Auntie was away for four years. But now that I'm back, you and I will have lots of fun."
Avalee cheered before giving me a big hug.
"When I grow up I want to be cool like you, Uncle Harley," Alexander said.
I looked down at Alexander. "Be better than him."
Alexander stuck out his tongue and latched onto Harley tightly. "I want to be just like Uncle."
Harley chuckled before picking him up. "You will one day."
Mr. and Mrs. Huang, along with Michael, stepped onto the balcony with their luggage.
"How come you two are still up?" Mrs. Huang asked.
"We were about to go for a walk along the beach."
"Can we come too?" the twins asked in unison, their brown eyes sparkling with excitement.
Michael cleared his throat. "You two should be in bed by now. Come on."
"But we're not tired," Avalee protested.
"Tomorrow we will do something fun," I said. "But your daddy is right, it's way past your bedtime."
They gave us one last hug before following their dad inside.
"You two have fun," Mrs. Huang said before entering the house.
Mr. Huang rested his hand on Harley's shoulder. "Not too much fun though."
I chuckled.
Harley and I walked beside each other down the shoreline, close enough that our hands almost brushed.
The moonlight stretched across the ocean, the waves rolling gently at our feet as the breeze drifted in from the water.
"It's beautiful here," I said softly, looking out at the endless ocean.
Harley glanced at me. "You look surprised."
"I guess I didn't expect it to feel like this," I admitted.
"Like what?"
I shrugged slightly. "Peaceful."
The ocean breeze lifted my hair as we continued walking along the sand.
"I can see why Amy wanted a beach wedding," I added.
Harley nodded. "Nicholas always knew she would want something like this."
We walked a little farther in comfortable silence.
Then Harley spoke again.
"Where is your dream destination wedding?" he asked.
Without hesitation, I blurted out, "On a cruise ship, under the moonlight. Oh, I can picture it now."
Harley chuckled softly, shaking his head.
"You always were the romantic type. Are you still into those Harley Quinn books?"
I nodded. "Of course. They're my favorite."
"That explains a lot," he teased.
I nudged his arm lightly. "What is that supposed to mean?"
Harley only smiled and looked back toward the ocean.
The waves rolled in quietly beside us.
"Did you ever imagine we'd end up here?" he asked after a moment.
I looked at him. "In Hawaii?"
"With everyone," he clarified.
I thought about it for a moment before shaking my head.
"No," I said honestly. "Life turned out a little different than I expected."
Harley studied my face for a moment before looking ahead again.
"Different isn't always bad."
I smiled faintly.
"No," I agreed. "It isn't."
The waves continued their quiet rhythm beside us as we walked along the shore.
And for a moment, beneath the moonlight and the sound of the ocean, everything felt calm.