Happy Place

by Emily Henry

I knew the only thing more painful than being without him would be being together knowing I no longer truly had him.

I’ve never finished a chapter on one of these trips, let alone a book, but I’ve always loved coming here, picking out my next read.

I look away. Now my heart feels like one giant blister, too tender, too delicate. If only he’d felt that way sooner. If only I had any clue what went wrong, how I lost him. If only I believed there were some way to fix it.

Stupid, stupid, stupid heart. Don’t you know he hasn’t been yours to cry over for a long time?

I’ve been trying for months, and I’m no closer to peace. Here’s my opportunity—my last chance. It might be a mistake to get answers, but if I don’t, I’ll spend my life regretting it. This is what I need from this week, the thing that will justify the torture.

Because even if there was nothing else for me, it felt like loving you was what I was made for. And it didn’t matter what anyone thought of me. It didn’t matter if I didn’t have any other big plans for myself, as long as I got to love you.”

“Wyn,” I whisper shakily. His fingers twitch, tightening through my curls. “Are you saying I can come home?” “I’m saying,” he murmurs softly, “it’s not home unless you’re there.”