“Max, I’m so jealous right now. You know how much I love that place.”
Shifting from one foot to the other, I move my phone so it’s closer to my ear. It’s harder to hear out here next to the waves crashing into the beach. “That I do. You only talked about it for weeks after you visited every year. Also, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tell anyone where I am for the moment.”
“Is everything okay?” Aiden asks.
I blow out another breath, my mind running through possible answers. “It will be.”
“What do you think of it? Penrose Beach, I mean.”
I glance around, taking in the ocean to my right, the small-town charm surrounding me.
“I haven’t ventured out too much, but it seems like a great place to vacation.”
Would it be worth it to live here full time, though?
I can’t quite wrap my mind around that. Not that I’m planning to stay longer than a week or two.
“It’s the best. I have some time next week—will you still be there? I can come down and show you around.”
I run a hand through my hair. “I’m not sure yet, Aiden. But I’ll let you know. Maybe call me before you head down.”
“What did you call me for?”
I almost forgot. “Do you have the address of the building I bought? I figured I’d check it out while I’m here.”
I’m already itching for a purpose. Clearly, I’m not great at relaxing. Maybe a diversion will help.
“Oh, yeah. Of course. I’ll send it to your email?—”
“Can you just text it to me? I don’t want anything going through my email yet.”
“What really happened?” Aiden asks, pressing.
Do I tell him? He’s one of my oldest and most loyal friends. We’ve hung out as much as we can throughout the years while living on opposite coasts. He’s even met my parents and is still willing to hang out with me.
“My parents found me a bride.”
“I’m sorry. Did you just say they found you a ride?”
“A bride, with a B. As in future wife. Fiancée.”
“Are you struggling in the dating department, Max?”
I laugh. “What dating department? I’m lucky if I talk to anyone outside of work.”
“So…an arranged marriage?”
“Something like that. They’re big on tradition and making sure everything is locked in. Status is everything in my mother’s eyes.”
“Don’t they realize it’s the twenty-first century?” Aiden asks.
I sigh. “I haven’t shown interest in anyone, so they’re trying to help.”
“And you gave them an answer? Or just fled the state?”
When he puts it like that…
“I fled. Work was already intense, and this was one more thing I couldn’t handle. So, I took a vacation, telling no one but you.”
