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A gust swirled around them, a lock of hair tugging from her ponytail and slapping her cheek. The clouds darkened with a storm blowing in. Rain fell sideways, pummeling her side until she shivered.
But half of her was warm.
Quietly, gently, he walked with her.
Eryn didn’t rush away, but she corrected her posture. “Anyway. Wow. Shit. I don’t like talking about it. I’m not sure why I said it. So. You. Lost Beach. How are you liking it? ”
“Big change from San Francisco. It’s an adjustment, living in a small town. In a big house. The food here is good, but less variety. It’s got the same vibe though.”
“How so?”
“Good people. Artsy without being pretentious. Lost Beach is a good change of pace.”
“A lot of private security work around here.” Eryn nodded with a serious load of sarcasm in her tilty-headed look.
“Some of what I do is from home, but I travel a lot.”
That would explain a thing or two. The high-tech garage door openers he’d subbed out for the old ones. His home alarm system. His very fast, very pretty car. The odd hours she couldn’t figure out.
Gumdrop rain plunked into the sand. A drainage stream cut across the beach, not deep enough to necessitate changing the path, but she jumped over the deeper parts. Vann’s calm lifted with a subtle delight as he leaped across.
He’d have made an incredible surgeon. Unshakable. But damn. That subtle thrill in his smile over a miniature obstacle course. When he’d run onto the beach, that passion in his stride.
Emotion wasn’t lacking behind the stoic exterior. Not a façade, either, just… him.
As home came into view, Eryn picked up the pace back to a jog.
Vann’s house was exactly as he had described the town. Several beachfront houses towered high in front of those behind, but his was settled.
Thanks to its perched position above the beach, you’d have to be a serious stalker to get a look in those windows. Still, it suited him, like this town. Understated but stunning.
A newly familiar car was parked in the driveway. Lexi strolled down the stairs in a short skirt and a cozy sweater draped off one shoulder. Behind her, her latest muscled badass boyfriend grinned and followed. Lexi didn’t have to keep them at arm’s length, like Eryn did, and indulged in a quality romance whenever she had the chance. At least she finally realized she had a type… and ran with it.
“You two heading out?” Eryn asked as soon as she was close.
Lexi was the force of nature in their little family. She didn’t hide from life, didn’t hide from anything. She nodded, seemingly casual with her subtle smile, but she stole a few odd glances at Vann. “Sorry to ditch you on your first night off in forever.”
“I’m glad you’re going out.” Eryn stopped and fixed her soaked ponytail. “Hey, John. Fun evening planned?”
“Hey, Eryn. Lexi has never experienced the grandeur of Lost Beach’s finest seafood restaurant, so we’re making an event of it.” He nodded at Vann, then back to Eryn. “If you guys want to join us…?”
Vann shook his head. “I’m not—”
Eryn scrunched a polite smile. “We’re not—”
“Not hungry,” Vann finished. Posture steady, shoulders relaxed, he politely backed away.
Lexi stopped at the passenger door and said, “Vann? The fridge broke, so now we have no food at the apartment. Obviously, we can live without a functioning fridge tonight, but…” She bit her lips together and flicked a mischievous side-eye at Eryn.
Vann glanced up at the apartment, wincing and mustering a nod.
The fridge had worked an hour ago when she’d downed a snack before her run.
“Wait.” Eryn dashed over and hissed, “What the hell? Don’t throw me under the bus like that.”
“You’re wound so tight lately; a distraction would do you some good. You tease me about having a type? You found a fellow commitment-phobe, who happens to be hot and sweet. And tall and mysterious. Your precise type. Just run with it.”
“Now is the worst time for me to get distracted, and he is very distracting.” Eryn bit her tongue. Fuck. Tisiphone was coming soon to dose her up. She didn’t want to be with Vann when it happened. And definitely not in bed together.
