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"I try."
"It can't be easy doing it solo."
"It's not. But it feels good. Gives me that good exhaustion, like I've done something positive for the world."
She nodded. "I know exactly what you mean. Like when Chef's double-booked the covers and you have to work a double shift to get all the orders out."
I chuckled. "Except the diners are two hangry little girls who want anything but what's on offer, and the head chef who overbooked is yours truly."
"Well, you're doing an awesome job. Rhea and Lexi are lovely."
"I can see them heading to NYC one day. They want to see the world."
"Is that scary?"
"Terrifying. But healthy. Do you like the city? Sounds like you've grown a lot since spending time there.”
"New York is magical, but challenging too," Elara admitted. "Millions of people, but it can be incredibly lonely. And I don’t have time for much beyond work."
I wondered, for a moment, if that meant she didn’t have time for relationships.
"You excited to go back?"
"Yeah." She swirled the Champagne around her tumbler. "I am. You ever want to leave Bluehaven Beach?"
"I did leave."
"Right, the Navy. I remember your going-away party."
"I don't. Booze flowed a little too freely that night. It was quite the sendoff."
"I wasn't allowed to go."
"Well, you were what, twelve?"
Don’t forget about that damn age gap, Cole.
"I wanted to go. Everyone was excited for you."
"Remember my brothers? Jack and Ethan?”
“Sure!”
“They were destroyed. Jack had training at the rink the next day, but he could barely stand the following morning."
She paused. "I remember the day you came back."
"Yeah?"
"You hurt yourself, right? That's why you got discharged?"
I gritted my teeth. "Promise you won't laugh."
She laughed. "I can’t promise that!"
"Try!”
Fuck, it was good to hear her laugh. I couldn't remember the last time I'd made a beautiful woman laugh.
