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“Not if you don’t leave.”
She looked at me, eyes wide.
“What do you mean?”
“Why don’t you stay a while longer?” She just blinked so I continued. “I’d love to spend more time with you.”
“Um…”
Her eyes shifted toward the ocean then back at me, but she didn’t say anything else. I pushed a few strands of hair that escaped her ponytail behind her ear.
“We can discuss it more after dinner.” I held out my hand. “Come on.”
Throughout dinner we talked about everything but her staying in Seaside. But once she was fed and relaxing in an Adirondack chair enjoying the view, I figured it was time to bring up the topic again.
“I could tell I shocked you by what I said before.”
“A little bit.”
“Have you thought about staying longer?”
“Sort of. I’ll admit the idea was in the back of my head, but I didn’t really seriously consider it until my daughter mentioned it on our Facetime call.”
“Is she for or against you staying?”
“Definitely for. She said Seaside has been good for me.”
“I agree,” I said with a smile. “So what are your thoughts on staying?”
“As long as Aunt Winnie doesn’t mind, I could stay.” She frowned. “Although, I guess I could get an Airbnb.”
“Or you could stay here.” Her eyes widened. “With me.”
She stared at me for several heartbeats.
“You’d want me to stay here with you?” I nodded. “Wow.”
“Is that a good wow?”
“It’s good. Surprised, but good.”
“Why surprised?”
“I don’t know. This was just supposed to be a summer thing and then–”
She shook her head. I waited for her to complete the sentence, but when she didn’t, I finished it with my own words.
“Then I fell in love with you.”
“You…”
“I fell in love with you.” I shifted off my chair to kneel in front of her. Taking her hands in mine, I looked her in the eye. “I love you Eve. Please say you’ll stay.”
Chapter Sixteen
Eve
“I’m feeling all the feels,” Anjannette said. “I’m thrilled that you’re getting your own
