On July 29, 2014, Addie wakes in New York on the three-hundredth anniversary of the day she escaped her forced marriage and made her bargain. The bed beside her is empty, but she hears Henry in the kitchen and realizes she has been clutching the wooden ring; when it drops into her palm, she flings it away in panic, fearing it will bring Luc. Addie tries to tell herself it is “just a day,” but dread urges her to put distance between herself and Henry.

Henry returns with a donut and three candles, trying to celebrate the strange milestone, and Addie hears Luc’s voice in her head as if marking the date. When Henry suggests spending the day together, Addie insists they should not be together “not today,” afraid of what Luc might do if he finds them. Henry argues that Luc has ruined enough days already, and urges Addie to claim a good memory; Addie relents.

They take the train to Rockaway Beach and spend hours swimming, drying in the sun, and eating tacos with frozen margaritas. As they pack up to walk toward the boardwalk, the wooden ring falls out again; Addie quickly buries it in sand before catching up to Henry, trying to ignore the reminder of Luc’s presence and power.

Over drinks and between trips from shade to surf, Addie tells Henry stories of coasts she has seen across centuries—crossing the English Channel, stowing away along Spain, and falling ill on a ship to America while pretending sickness to avoid suspicion. The day passes quickly, and on the subway ride home, Addie leans against Henry, surprised by how safe and comfortable she feels.

Henry whispers that he loves her. Addie answers that she loves him too, wondering whether love is meant to feel gentle and warm rather than consuming—and wanting her words to be true, even as Luc still haunts the edges of the day.