Second Tide Coffee is up to fourteen employees now, and every one of them is helping today in some capacity.
We’re set up at North Penrose Beach, and while the heat is relentless, I still can’t get over the view. The varying blues of the ocean against the bright afternoon sun, the breeze rolling in off the water—it reminds me all over again why I love living here.
And then there’s the man carrying folding chairs across the sand while somehow managing a work call at the same time.
Most people would probably think he was talking to himself, but Max has mastered the art of running a billion-dollar company from practically anywhere. Considering where he started a year ago, I think Penrose Beach might actually be good for him.
I glance up as Earl and Laura Lynn walk toward the stand, her hand tucked in his.
“You two make a great pair,” I say as I start their drinks.
“That’s what I’ve always told Laura Lynn,” Earl says with a grin.
She rolls her eyes fondly. “It took me a little longer to realize it.”
I hand over their coffees. “You’d better find a good spot before the parade starts.”
“We already claimed one,” Laura Lynn says. “What about you? Do you get any time off today?”
Laughing, I nod. “Eventually. You two enjoy yourselves.”
They wander off together, and before I can stop myself, my attention drifts back to Max.
He’s halfway down the beach now, sleeves rolled up, sunglasses on, somehow looking completely at home carrying chairs through the sand while discussing market expansions. I still don’t know how I got this lucky.
I help several more customers before Max finally appears behind me and wraps his arms around my waist.
“How’s it going over here?” he asks against my temple.
“It’s busy,” I say with a laugh, trying to escape his grip.
He only tightens his arms for another second before finally letting me go.
“But Sarah’s coming over now, which means I’m officially off duty.”
“How about a walk before the program starts?” Max asks, sliding his hands into his pockets like he hasn’t just completely distracted me.
It’s been over a year, and somehow I’m still just as gone for him.
Maybe that never changes.
Before we leave the boardwalk for the sand, Lila waves us down.
“Where do you want to sit?” she asks. “Mom said to save spots since she’ll barely make it out of work in time.”
“You pick,” I tell her. “Use blankets or chairs or whatever you can find. We’ll be back soon.”
Not long after Max and I officially got together last year, Cora mysteriously received notice that her debts had been erased through a government relief program.
Max still insists he had nothing to do with it.
None of us believe him.
Cora started working for the town doctor soon after, and she and Lila moved into their own apartment upstairs. I ended up taking over the apartment Max had rented, while he stayed at Aiden’s beach house until our old place was fixed.
Living across the hall from my boyfriend turned out to be a dangerous level of convenient.
Lila narrows her eyes at Max with exaggerated suspicion. “Just so you know, I know every place from here to the edge of town. If Avery disappears, we’ll know who to blame.”
