“Levi owns the marina and is a great source for all things water. Then there’s a bike shop up the road that rents out beach bikes. We have trails throughout town that guide you, and you can walk or run along the water. And there are always the touristy stores.”
I offer a quick smile, taking a sip of my coffee. I’m not sure I’m up for any of those. Exhaustion weighs my body down, but it could be residual from the years of pushing it past the brink.
“You can always call the rideshare if you don’t want to drive somewhere. Let me see the number for the new gal.” Chloe flips a few pages, waiting a few seconds before scanning another.
“New girl as in Avery?” I ask.
Chloe looks up at me with a grin. “You’ve met?”
“She helped me when I first got to town.” And I keep thinking about her, in a friendly way. I’m more than curious about her since she turned down my tip.
“She’s awesome. She stayed here for a bit with her sister and niece while her apartment was being finished. They sold the house before everything was ready. A lot of heartache in that family,” Chloe says, the corners of her lips turned down.
“What happened?”
“Her brother-in-law passed away from cancer about a year ago, and then Avery moved here to help take care of Lila whileAvery’s sister, Cora, works. They tried a lot of the newer medicines and treatments for him, and I think they’re trying to dig out of debt now.”
That hits me even harder to think Avery could’ve used the money and still turned me down. Maybe I’ve only ever met people who take full advantage of a situation.
When I would go out with a group of friends in New York, it was expected that I pay.“We’d never order the good wine if you weren’t willing to foot the bill,”they’d say.I haven’t seen or heard from any of them in a year, since the time I paid for my food and left early.
My last ex-girlfriend loved the idea of showing off my penthouse more than our relationship.
There are so many more instances. My circle of trusted friends has significantly decreased over the past few years, but I want people who want me to be there, and not look at me like a walking opportunity for what they can get for free.
Now, I want to know Avery’s motivation.
“I’ll walk around town and get my bearings,” I say, giving Chloe a small smile.
“That sounds good,” she says. “Let me know if you need any lunch or dinner recommendations.”
“Thank you. I’m sure I will while I’m here.”
Chloe walks away, then stops and turns back to me. “What brings you to Penrose Beach, anyway?” She must see something on my face because she quickly adds, “Sorry. I just get a little curious sometimes. Brock is always telling me I overstep.”
“No, no, you’re fine. Really. I just needed a break, to be honest, and figured I’d do some work by the beach.”
Chloe grins. “That’s probably the best idea you’ve had all year. Not that I’ve known you that long,” she adds with a chuckle.
I can’t help but laugh along with her. “From my lowered heart rate, I think it’s a good thing too.”
“The Sea Glass Spa down the road has some good packages for health and wellness. Massages, wraps, and more.” Her eyes go wide. “I sound like I’m trying to come up with a jingle for their company.”
“It wasn’t a bad one,” I say, grinning. “Maybe they’ll need it for a new ad.”
“Well, I’ll leave you to it,” she says, grabbing a dirty dish and taking it to the kitchen.
I finish the small pastry on my plate and decide to head back up to my room. I’d already changed into slacks and a button-up shirt, which seems extreme for the sand and sun outside. It’s difficult for me to relax, so I might as well try while I’m not in a work setting.
It doesn’t take me long to change into a pair of cargo shorts and a T-shirt that I haven’t worn in quite some time—I’m surprised I packed it at all.
Then I walk out the front door of the bed-and-breakfast and hesitate on the porch.
There are so many things hitting my senses right now—from the wind to the smell of the ocean to the colorful mural in front of me. I’m surprised by the simplicity of it, but also by the beauty of the landscape.
Should I go right or left? I’m not sure which direction to take. Not having a defined purpose is like a glitch in my brain.
I’d slept in yesterday and kind of hung out in the room for a good part of it, that is until I walked out and saw Avery walking to the school. I wonder what happened with that?
