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After parting ways with Jenna, I kicked off my sandals and took Anthony for a long walk along the beach. I hoped that it would help clear my head. But even with the sun on my face and sand between my toes, I couldn't shake the feeling of being pulled in a million different directions.
Anthony, bless him, was blissfully unaware of my inner turmoil. He bounded through the surf with reckless abandon. I couldn’t help noticing how much he seemed to love living in Bluehaven. The fresh air, the water, the sand, the quiet. It was a dog’s paradise.
But what about me? Was it my paradise?
My phone buzzed.
When I saw the text message pop up, my eyes widened.
I'm watching you.
Luckily, it was from Lily. Was it a reference to what had happened between me and Cole last night? Did she somehow know about it before I’d even spilled the beans?
No, it turned out to be quite literal. When I turned to look at the town, I saw her standing at the edge of the pier, jumping and waving at me like she was trying to flag down a cab.
We met on the sand and embraced. "You on a break?"
"Yup. What's the story?" she asked, blowing to cool the coffee in her hand.
I played it casual. "Not much. Just met with a realtor and I had sex with Cole last night."
"I knew it! I knew it, I knew it, I knew it!" She prodded my shoulder. "I was this close to texting you this morning, but I didn't want to risk him seeing it if he was still there."
"No chance of that. We're keeping things strictly casual. No sleepovers, no strings attached."
"And that's the way you want it, right?"
"That's the way it has to be." Again, I tried my very best to look casual.
"Holy shit, El, this is mega. What was it like?"
"Insane. Primal."
She waggled her eyebrows. "I bet it was!"
"I don't want to make a big deal out of it! It probably won't even happen again."
"Why?"
"Because he's busy all weekend with his girls, and then we're working together next week, and then I'm off to New York. You know, life will get in the way of my fun."
"Stupid life," she grinned, then giggled. "This is so crazy. I'm jealous."
"Well, don't be. It’s over now. And while I'm studying in New York, I'll be as chaste as a nun. Then even more chaste than that when I get a job afterward. The life of a pastry chef isn’t really compatible with happy ever afters.”
“And that’s what you want, is it? Pastry and chastity? The holy duo?"
The question stopped me in my tracks. "Of course. It's my dream."
"It's your dream to be a celibate, over-worked, time-starved pastry chef?"
"It's my dream to live in the most exciting city in the world and make amazing desserts like my mom."
"I know, I know. It's just . . . you look really happy this morning. And pretty. The longer you stay here, the prettier you get."
"Must be the sea air."
She gave me a dirty, dirty look. "Either that or the semen intake."
