When the exodus of turtles wanes to a few stragglers nearing the water, Hannah and I drop into our chairs, ready for a break. The first glimmer of light breaks the horizon, giving the ocean an ethereal glow, and casts a pink glow on the sand.
Hannah shivers, then yawns.
Feeling chilled myself, I drape her afghan around us both, then hand her a banana. “Eat that, and then I’ll take you home.”
She leans against my arm as she takes it. “Now, who’s the bossy one?”
I chuckle softly. Her warmth sends this sense of peace through me. We sit in silence, watching the sky lighten in an explosion of color.
“Thank you for bringing me tonight.” She tilts her face up toward me. “And today.”
When I look down at her, the desire to close the small gap separating us overwhelms me. I could easily kiss her right now. “Thanks for coming. I’m glad you got to see some turtles.”
She yawns again. “Me, too.”
“You’re welcome to join me anytime, you know?” The ease between us startles me sometimes, like now. I feel like Hannah and I really connected in a deeper way tonight…today. And I want more.
She leans away, pointing to my chest. “Can I have a cool T-shirt like yours?”
“Definitely.”
Her sleepy expression radiates affection, and it’s all focused on me. “Then count me in.”
CHAPTER 26
Hannah
After Nick took me home, I flopped into bed, thinking I’d zonk out right away, but I didn’t. All these crazy feelings and thoughts of him refused to let me sleep. I kept revisiting how Nick’s eyes devoured me with such tenderness and appreciation as we left the beach. And the way he says my name—like a rough whisper filled with longing. Just the memory of it sends a shiver of warmth down me.
And despite my exhaustion, I still had a hard time falling asleep because he’s all I can think about. And dream of, apparently. I had some pretty weird dreams about Nick and giant baby turtles. And I think there may have been a herd of Chihuahuas involved, too.
I’m so close to letting him in. I want to so much, but my brain is still sending up alarm bells about rushing in and risking my heart again. In some ways, this feels very similar to how my doomed relationship with Bryan started. He was so full of rizz, and I bought into every bit of it. I know I shouldn’t compare Nick to Bryan, especially since he’s nothing like that two-timing jerk.
And I meant what I said to Nick after his parents’ party—he’s different…changed. Unless he’s gotten really good at hiding his true colors, he doesn’t seem like the same guy Icrushed on before college. Our evening on the beach feels like a confirmation of that, too. We kept on the move most of the night, watching out for those adorable little turtles, but he could have easily turned it into something more—especially the moment we shared my afghan.
I wanted him to kiss me, but by then I was so tired. And he was a consummate gentleman. That gives me some comfort and reassurance that I’m not a total fool for considering—okay, imagining—what it would be like to seriously date Nick. I’m so tempted to throw caution to the wind.
After I park my car in front of the Turtle Tide, I catch a glimpse of Madi walking up the path from behind her inn toward the restaurant. Today is the inaugural day of Sally Albright’s group for women who own small businesses in Sarabella—something she describes as her way of passing on what she’s been given over the years. Now I understand why Zane gives so much time and energy to our little beach town. He’s just like his mother, always helping the community and the people who live here.
Frankly, her timing couldn’t have been any better. I knew I had found a needed niche in Sarabella and business is booming. But I desperately need a mentor to help me make this growth sustainable.
Madi waves and waits for me by the restaurant entrance, iPad in hand, as usual. I’m betting she even has a spreadsheet set up in anticipation of the meeting. Several probably.
She opens the door as I reach her. “Ready to do some business brainstorming?”
“You bet.” I pat my notebook planner peeking out of the top of my purse. Madi’s not the only one capable of taking notes and organizing her life. I just have my own way of doing it that doesn’t include insane spreadsheets.
I follow Madi to a small private dining room that’s set up for small groups. Sally’s already there, as well as Amanda, who owns Bloomed to Be Wilde, and Callie, Zane’s fiancée and partner in creating and running the youth lifeguard program, which Graham talks about nonstop.
As I approach the table, I realize the other woman is Marnie, the sweet neighbor who helped keep Bandit alive.
She stands and gives me a hug. “I hoped you might be here.”
“This is such a surprise! I didn’t know you owned a business in Sarabella.”
Amanda smiles at us. “Marnie is a glass blower. She does amazing work. My customers go nutty over her pieces.”
Marnie’s expression turns bashful, with a big dash of humor. “Aww, shucks.”
