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making her way along the walkway heading toward the ocean.
    Zach couldn’t have explained it if he tried, but there was something, a pull of sorts, that made his feet follow in that same direction.
    * * *
    Laney was happy for her friends. She was, truly. But, for whatever reason, she couldn’t suppress the feeling of overwhelming sadness. Like she was losing her best friend who was moving on without her.
    Ugh. She was so selfish to be feeling this way. On her best friend’s wedding day, no less.
    But, that feeling had made her chest tighten, like she could hardly breathe and she knew she had to make a quick escape. Just for a moment. To compose herself and shake off this selfish funk so she could get back to celebrating with her friends and family.
    Standing alone, arms folded against her chest, Laney stared out at the low tide, waves gently lapping at the shore. The sun had just barely set, the sky having the faintest amount of light remaining, a nearly full moon already beginning its rise. The mid-December weather was mild and typical for Florida, with a hint of humidity still lingering in the air.
    Laney heard the slight shifting of sand behind her, indicating someone was walking nearby, and she hoped to God it wasn’t her mother. She wasn’t in the mood to get lectured for leaving her best friend’s side for a few minutes.
    The person came to stand beside her in silence. A few minutes passed while she simply basked in the tranquility surrounding her before turning to see who had joined her on the beach. Laney couldn’t suppress the slight panic at seeing none other than Zach Mayson.
    Please don’t be an ass to me right now. Please don’t be an ass to me right now .
    He watched her closely. “You okay?”
    Laney wasn’t quite sure what happened, but the gentleness in his tone, the tenderness she saw in his eyes made her own fill with unshed tears. Turning away abruptly, she stared, unseeing, at the ocean.
    “I’m fine,” came her quiet answer.
    She widened her eyes to try to keep the tears from falling, but one or two still escaped. Laney hoped the darkening sky helped to disguise it, even though the moon—thanks a lot, Mother Nature—was unusually bright tonight.
    She was startled when she felt a strong, firm hand grasp her own. He gave a slight squeeze and this caused some more tears to trickle down her face.
    “Laney.” His voice was husky.
    Ashamed, she couldn’t bear to meet his eyes. She should be ecstatic and shouting with joy that her friend had found happiness, had found love after going through so much … crap. Instead, she was a depressing, hot mess and anyone observing her probably thought she was begrudging her friend for getting married to the man of her dreams.
    Yep. Her name was moving to the top of the ‘World’s Worst Best Friend’ list. All she needed now was a few cases of boxed wine and a Fiona Apple CD to complete this whole pity party she was having.
    Zach stepped in front of her, one hand coming up to her face—wait, was that a handkerchief?—and he dabbed ever so gently at her tears.
    Huh. Zachariah Mayson carries a handkerchief. Who knew?
    “Why are you being so nice to me?” she asked quietly.
    He pocketed the handkerchief before reaching out to tuck a stray hair behind her ear that had come loose from her up-do, letting his fingers glide tenderly over her jaw.
    “Because you’re letting me,” came the simple reply.
    Laney let his response wash over her, feeling the confusion it brought. His kindness threw her off balance, her emotions overwhelming her. As another tear began to trickle down her cheek, she felt even more pathetic, if that were even possible at this point.
    Not likely.
    She gave a wet laugh. “You’re probably gathering a ton of material to harass me with later, right? Especially after finding what I’m sure seems like the most selfish friend on earth, weeping pathetically during her best friend’s wedding party.” Laney shook her head in