Page 54 of Coastal Rewind

She placed a bag on the kitchenette counter and walked over to me with an iced coffee in hand. I took it from her dainty fingers but she didn’t say anything before sitting on the couch. I placed the coffee down on the end table and sat down next to her.

“Are you okay?”

“Yep!” I visibly saw the mask fall into place as she gave me a wide beaming smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

“Don’t do that.” I pointed at her face. “Be open with me, Sunshine. Tell me what I said.”

Her smile fell as she glanced away. “You didn’t say anything wrong. I’m just not good at this. I haven’t dated in a long, long time.”

I covered her hand with mine and ran my thumb along her pinky. “I haven’t either. We can figure it out together.”

She nodded and looked over at me with glassy eyes. I leaned forward to rest my forehead against hers. To my surprise, she closed the distance and kissed me quickly before leaning back.

“Where’s MJ?” She looked around at the empty hotel room.

“I had Nolan take him to breakfast. I was worried I was going to have to go report a missing person.”

She laughed. “Please, I can survive on my own.”

“I know, but you don’t have to.”

Her face softened and she cleared her throat. “I got donuts,” she said, pointing toward the bags.

“For a hundred?” I asked, counting four bags on the counter.

“I’m a stress eater.”

I barked out a laugh and pulled her to her feet and over to the counter. We opened one bag of donuts and ate way too many as Ryleigh told me about the adorable coffee shop she’d ventured to.

The entire time, I couldn’t help the warm feeling in my chest that being with this woman felt like the most natural thing in the world. She could run, but I was ready to chase after her every fucking time.

Two wins, and three amazing days later, I pulled up to the airport in Tampa and got out of the car. This weekend had been a great reprieve from life on the road. Every morning, MJ woke me up with a smile on his face, and every night I fell asleep with Ryleigh tucked under my arm. She hadn’t freaked out again, but I didn’t doubt it was probably going to happen.

Ryleigh had been on her own for a long time. She wasn’t used to having people show up and care for her. I knew her family had tried, but for some reason she kept them at arm’s length.

Ryleigh met me by the trunk of Nolan’s rental as I pulled their bags out of the back. MJ was busying himself getting out of the car so I took the fleeting opportunity to pull Ryleigh into my chest and place a searing kiss on her lips. I wouldn’t be home for another few days so I wasn’t passing up one more chance to touch her.

She giggled and pushed me away, glancing around the car to see if MJ was watching.

“So, three more days and then we have a home stretch for over a week. Think you can make it?” I teased.

She rolled her eyes at me. “I’m not the one who’s going to suffer.”

“I don’t think that’s true,” I whispered as MJ appeared next to her. “Text me when you land, okay?” I said as MJ ran into my arms. “I’ll miss you, buddy.”

“I’ll miss you too, Dad. I’m excited for you to come home.”

“Me too.” I was talking to MJ but my eyes were fixed on the little nomad standing in front of us.

Ryleigh took MJ’s hand and guided him toward the terminal entrance, suitcases dragging behind them. I stood there and watched as they checked their bags and disappeared into the security area.

Only then, did I get back in the car and head back to the hotel. When I got to my room, I noticed a text waiting from Ryleigh.

Ryleigh

Thanks for an amazing weekend.

It’s only the beginning, Sunshine.