AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I laughed. “That. That right there is why I like being around you. I never know what I’m going to get.”
She jerked her head toward me. “Please don’t make fun of me.”
I furrowed my brow. “Is that what you think I’m doing?”
“Itiswhat you do.”
I squeezed her knee again. “Oh sweetheart, don’t you know? Boys tease the girls they like.”
CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO
JOJO
Boystease the girls they like. Boys tease the girls they like.
He was doing it again. Making me feel silly and hopeful and like a girl instead of a grown woman.
And if he didn’t want to start over, pretend like our past never happened, then what were we doing here?
Until he’d mentioned it, I hadn’t considered ifIwanted to erase the past. I hadn’t believed a clean slate was possible and wasn’t keen on giving it a try.
Did I want to?
As much as I hated to admit it, Kane was right.
I’d never had a more interesting meeting in my life, and the thought of that being gone left a hollow feeling in my chest.
It was quickly replaced by a tightening as we turned down the familiar street. I loved the greenery and the quaintness. I’d always been amazed that the city was only a few hours away. This was a completely different feel.
Yes, this street had ostentatious estates that were immaculately manicured, but there was a wildness about it too. Something untouched in a way that made the city feel like it had human fingerprints all over it. There was contrasting beauty between the city and the sea.
But here was where I felt my peace.
Except when I thought about that Labor Day weekend with Kane.
And that summer so long ago—no. I’d have a moment to think on that later. When I was alone and my head was clear instead of clouded with Kane Zegas.
“Is the code still the same?” He turned the car into the drive and rolled to a stop at the gate.
“Yes.”
I should’ve changed it, but I couldn’t. The deed said this place was mine, but in my heart, it still belonged to my grandparents.
He punched in the code, and the gate slowly swung open. The drive was long and winding. Eventually, the trees gave way to open space where the house sat.
And it seemed fitting to arrive in my grandfather’s car, considering it so often sat at the front door.
I missed them.
And Daddy.
I missed lunches on the back patio and talking about nothing and everything. I missed fall evenings by the fire and Thanksgivings celebrated here. I missed walks on the beach.
I ached for them.
“You’re quiet.”
Kane still had his hand on my thigh. Was it grounding me or making me crazy?
