Chapter One
Theweatherwaschanging.Florianshiveredandpulledhishoodieclosertohisbody,zippingitupsothewindcouldn'tcutthroughhim.Hehadwokentoanovercastdayandtheskyapleasantgrey,thoughitlookednowlikeitmightstarttorain.
“What do you think?” Nadia asked, pulling him from his thoughts as he looked toward the horizon. “Should we head in?”
“Not yet,” he said, shaking his head. “I want to get a few more shells first. Those pendants were selling really well.” When he looked over at his friend, she gave him a wide grin, the wind blowing her dark hair across her face.
“Feeling daring, huh?” she commented, pulling her hair back into a low ponytail that she secured with a scrunchie. “Well, I'll stay out if you will.”
“When has a little rain ever scared you?” Florian laughed. She chuckled in return, shrugging. “Oh, look at this one.”
He bent down, picking up a smooth stone half-buried in the sand. Mostly a dark gray, it had some streaks of a more iridescent hue, almost like the inside of a shell. “That would be pretty if I wrapped it in wire, don't you think?”
“Yeah, I like it,” Nadia agreed with a nod. They walked along the beach at a leisurely pace despite the chilly breeze, their eyes scanning the ground for similar rocks and shells. After a moment of comfortable silence, Nadia spoke again. “So... how did your talk with your uncle go? About moving?”
Florian grimaced, shaking his head. “Not very well. He told me to wait, and not make any rash decisions. Which, I mean, I get that, but... I don't know. It felt like he just wanted me to stay so he has someone to make stuff for the shop.”
A dry laugh escaped him as he spoke. It was easier to make light of it than admit how much the conversation still frustrated him; how his uncle had been so unexpectedly adamant that he stay in Coral Shore; and worse, how much his uncle's request had stung. The older he got the more he longed to leave the little beach town where he had lived for as far back as he could remember. Not that he didn't love Coral Shore, or his uncle, or their kitschy little souvenir shop, but every time he thought of spending the rest of his life there his heart ached with wanderlust, with a bone-deep knowledge that he was meant for something better than a gift shop—no matter how many tourists bought his shell necklaces and beachy trinkets. But even though Nadia was his best friend, saying something likethatout loud was just too embarrassing.
“You know, you don'thaveto listen to him,” she said with a shrug. “I mean, I know he's like your dad or whatever, but still. Anyway, plenty of people move out by the time they're twenty-three.” Florian shrugged, unsure of how to respond. After a moment, she continued, “And he should be understanding. He's got to know how weird it must be to still live so close to Cameron after everything that happened.”
Florian winced at that. His breakup with Cameron had been over three months ago now, but his heart still stung a little bit every time he thought of it. They had been together since high school—how could he get over it in just three months? The fact that they lived only a few blocks apart certainly didn't help, and he'd seen Cameron out and about far too often for his comfort.
“Here's a compromise,” Nadia said quickly before Florian could respond. “Why don't we go on a road trip? That way we get out of town for a bit, come back all refreshed, and good old Uncle August only has to approve some time off instead of losing his best employee.”
“I'll run it by him,” Florian replied with a snort. “That sounds fun, though. Where would we go?”
“Have you ever been to Yosemite? Or maybe Yellowstone? I think a hiking trip could be fun. Or, ooh, we could go up to San Francisco!” Nadia exclaimed, and from her wide smile Florian could tell she was already three steps ahead of him. “I have a friend who lives up there and I'msureshe'd let us crash with her, so we wouldn't even have to worry about a hotel! And think of all the guys you could meet! I'm telling you, Florian, a couple good hookups and Cameron's gonna be a distant, distant memory.”
“You lost me,” Florian teased, and they both laughed. “No, really, that does sound fun. Weshouldplan something. Maybe next month? Just so Uncle August knows ahead of time.”
“Yeah, I'd have to request time off too,” Nadia agreed. “Aww, Flor! I can't believe we've never been on a road trip together! This is gonna be so fun.”
Florian opened his mouth to respond, but a distant shout interrupted him.
“Florian!”
They both stopped and looked in the direction of the call—across the street, Florian's uncle August was waving at them. When they looked, the wave turned into a beckoning gesture, and Florian raised an eyebrow, glancing back over at Nadia who shrugged in response.
“What's up?” he called back, and August beckoned him again.
“I need you to come home,” the older man shouted, and Florian frowned. “Come on. I'll explain on the way.”
“What's wrong?” Nadia asked, nudging him in the ribs. Florian shook his head, just as bewildered.
“No idea,” he said as he stepped toward the street with a sigh. “I'll call you later, okay?”
“Sure,” she said, waving. “See you later.”
“See you,” he replied, and jogged across the street to where his uncle was waiting. The man had always looked exactly how a stereotypical beach bum running a gift shop two blocks away from the ocean might—with his long brown hair; loose flowy shirts; linen pants when it was chilly like today, and board shorts when it wasn't; and at least one necklace per outfit—it was only the lingering youth still in his sun-tanned face that kept him from looking entirely like an aging hippie. He had always looked younger than he was, and all that made people assume he was amiable, maybe even a pushover. Florian knew better: his uncle August was soft-spoken, reserved, and friendly to a point but not overly so, especially with strangers. To be shouting in the street was definitely unlike him.
“What's wrong?” Florian asked as he approached, but August was already turning to lead him back to the shop. “Uncle August, what's the hurry? You knew I was off today.”
“That's not it,” his uncle replied, sighing and glancing back over at Florian. He slowed his pace enough that they could walk side by side. Florian had never seen his uncle looking so worried before, which sent his heart leaping into his throat. Something bad must have happened. Maybe another break in? It had been years since the last one, but—
“Listen,” August continued, shaking Florian from his thoughts. “I know how this is going to sound. But try and keep an open mind, okay?”
“What?” Florian asked, the words confusing him even more. August winced, and his mouth moved silently a few times as if he were struggling to speak.
