Emily Henry

ON VACATION, YOU can be anyone you want.

Like a good book or an incredible outfit, being on vacation transports you into another version of yourself.

In your day-to-day life, maybe you can’t even bob your head to the radio without being embarrassed, but on the right twinkly-light-strung patio, with the right steel drum band, you’ll find yourself whirling and twirling with the best of them

The world is your oyster.”

I always liked that thought, the way two people really did seem to grow into one. Or at least two overlapping parts, trees with tangled roots.

When it came down to it, I knew exactly who Gus Everett was,
and it didn’t change a thing. Because even though he would probably never learn to dance in the rain, it was Gus I wanted. Only Gus. Exactly Gus

And that was the moment I realized: when the world felt dark and scary, love could whisk you off to go dancing; laughter could take some of the pain away; beauty could punch holes in your fear. I decided then that my life would be full of all three. Not just for my own benefit, but for Mom’s, and for everyone else around me.

Sometimes, I just missed liking people.

It is literally the worst example you could have chosen to prove that point.

But it’s better to be realistic so shit’s not constantly
blowing up in your face. And love is way more likely to blow up in your face than to bring eternal happiness.

And if it doesn’t hurt you, then you’re the one hurting someone else.

Especially when you can get everything you would from a romantic relationship from a friendship, without destroying anyone’s life when it inevitably ends.