“I don’t know Rod,” Ari hugged herself against the ocean breeze as she spoke. “I don’t wanna beg, and I just feel like at this point I’m begging.” Ari twisted her lips to one side and tried to suppress the lump in her throat, but the longer Rodrick stayed silent the more difficult that became. “Do you have anything to say?” Ari’s voice broke. Rodrick sat upright and dusted the sand from his palms. “What do you want me to say Ari?” His voice was dry and unmoved and Ari hugged her knees to her chest as the wind continued to blow.

“Well,” Ari sighed and stared out at the endless water. “I guess silence says more than anything else.” She could feel Rodrick staring at her profile, but she refused to look at him. Instead she let the breeze toss her hair behind her and continued speaking. “I know me, and I know I can’t walk away from this without saying how I feel. I love you too much for that. I definitely love Nick too much for that.” Ari kissed her teeth, frustrated that she couldn’t stand firm in her truth without crying. “I love you Rod.” She confessed through her tears. She paused, waiting for Rodrick’s response, but after a moment when nothing came, Ari stood and dusted off her thighs. “No matter what,” her voice was shaky as she twisted the engagement ring off her finger. “I love you, no matter what.” She whispered and dropped the ring in the sand beside Rodrick before walking away.