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“But, seriously, you looked incredible up here. Did you go for a run too?” He stepped closer.
Grayson answered, “Birds on beach. Go run, Daddy.”
He laughed. “Sounds like you did.”
I looked down at my tank top. It was stuck to me from perspiration. I was a beachy, sweaty mess. “We had fun. He does run fast.”
“I warned you,” Cole teased.
He leaned down and kissed me on the neck before helping me into a standing position with his free hand.
“Sorry I missed it. I would have liked to have gone with you two.”
“How about tomorrow morning we go for a run together?” I wanted to see him in action.
“You’re on. But that means you’re going to have to actually wake up and get out of bed—early.”
I shoved him lightly. “Hey, I don’t stay in bed all day.”
His eyes instantly flared. “What about all night?” I knew that look.
I stared at Grayson. “Cole,” I whispered.
He laughed. “I think it’s cute you can be so shy. It reminds me of the Kaitlyn I used to know.”
I didn’t know if I liked that. That Kaitlyn had crushed on Cole from the corner. She had written about him in journals. She was the kid sister. For a moment, I wondered if I’d ever escape her shadow.
25
Cole
I knew I was depending on Kaitlyn to help with Grayson more than I should, but I wanted to walk through the house next door and inspect it on my own.
I didn’t want Grayson to see it and think we were moving. What if half the appliances didn’t work? What if there was damage?
I needed to do a walk-through before I signed a lease. He had enough instability. Amber was like a damn gypsy.
I turned on the faucet in the kitchen. I opened the cabinets and looked under the sink for leaks. I had new skills that were useful.
It wasn’t big or extravagant. It wasn’t like other beach houses on the strip. This one was simple, and it was enough.
This was possible because of Kaitlyn. She had found the house for me.
I paused in front of the master bedroom. Something in my chest stirred. I wanted this to be our room. I wanted her here with me. I needed her.
But it was more complicated than that.
I had promised her we’d talk about Ryan. I had to look out for Grayson first.
But part of me knew Kaitlyn was part of the future too. I couldn’t deny what she meant to me. I couldn’t pretend she had quickly become important. She was more than a fling. More than a one-time fuck.
I loved that girl.
26
Kaitlyn
It was Thursday afternoon. We had two days until the luau, and only one until the guests started to arrive. I loaded the cleaning cart with towels, and began the process of checking each room for linens. Cole had given me the towel count. Each room was allowed four bath towels, four hand towels, and four washcloths. I had convinced him that three towels in a double room were not going to cut it.
