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Palmer held up The Chronicles—and my eyes nearly popped out of my head.
“It’s Wednesday,” I said numbly. How in the hell had Harlee managed to write a special edition when she’d been with me twenty-four-seven for four days? Had she written it before we left?
“I know! She wrote a special edition!” Palmer confirmed with excitement. Oh, it was all fun and games when she wasn’t the one being written about.
Grabbing the paper, Harlee quickly walked over to the counter. She actually seemed surprised, and when she started to read, her face turned bright red.
I read over her shoulder.
* * *
THE SEASIDE CHRONICLES
March 1, 2023
CREATING A WAKE – SPECIAL EDITION
Seasiders,
News on the beach is that Braxton Bradley has caught the eye of Seaside’s very own darling, Harlee Tilson. Now, this might come as a shock to many of you, since our Catch of the Season has stated that he’s not interested in settling down.
A little crab might have informed me that Braxton and Harlee were seen leaving early Sunday morning and have both been out of town since. Coincidence? I think not! The absolute scandal of it all, since Harlee is fresh off a breakup with Thomas Minor…who happens to be Braxton’s BFF and works for him. Did I mention scandal?
Could it be true? Could Braxton and the Princess of Seaside be an item? One has to wonder what poor Thomas must think of this new development.
Stay tuned, my fishes…more is surely to come!
Fair winds and following seas!
Ms. Seaside
* * *
Harlee’s entire body started to shake, and I wasn’t sure if she was angry or upset. It was then that I realized she hadn’t written this column.
If she didn’t, who did?
Palmer wrapped her arm around Harlee. “It’s not a big deal, Harlee.”
She forced herself to smile. “I know. I guess it’s a shock, that’s all.” I could see the wheels turning as Harlee continued to scan the article.
“Harlee, can I talk to you?” I asked softly.
Her head jerked up, and she met my gaze. “What?”
“Can I talk to you, in private?”
She shook her head. “Not right now, Brax. Can you do me a favor and take me to The Chronicles?”
Frowning, I asked, “Right now?”
Palmer stepped between us. “Harlee, believe me, I know when Ms. Seaside comes at you like this, you want to take up arms and fight. But take a few deep breaths first.”
Harlee let out a humorless laugh. “I’m not bothered by it, Palmer. Honestly. I remembered I was supposed to do something before I left town, and I forgot about it. My father will kill me if I don’t get this ad out.” Her gaze met mine again. “If you can’t take me, I can—”
“I can take you,” I quickly said. After kissing Palmer on the cheek, I followed Harlee out of the grill. She practically ran to my truck.
Once we were inside, I looked down to see her hands twisting together.
“Harlee, are you okay?” I asked as I rested my hand on hers. She pulled them away, then let out a breath and smiled.
“Yeah. I guess it was a shock to read that.”
I knew for once she was actually telling the truth regarding the column. She was thrown. I hated seeing her like this…and I really wanted to come clean with her.
Lacing my fingers with hers, I gave her a light squeeze. “It’s okay, Harlee.”
She nodded. “I’m honestly fine, Brax. Like I said, I remembered I needed to meet a deadline for my dad, and it slipped my mind. The article doesn’t bother me. I swear. The last thing I care about is what other people think.”
I gave her a reassuring smile. “I know you don’t care…much. But I also know a small part of you does care.”
When she turned and looked at me, my breath caught in my throat. She looked so lost. And that killed me.
A few minutes later, I pulled up to The Chronicles and Harlee reached for her bag in the backseat.
“Can we talk before you rush off?” I said.
She got out and then turned and looked back at me. “Later, okay? I had a really good time these past few days, Brax. I hope you know that.”
Smiling, I replied, “I enjoyed myself as well, princess.”
Her eyes sparkled, and she looked down for a moment before meeting my gaze once again. “Bye, Brax.”
“See you around.”
I watched as she rushed into the building and out of sight.
After sitting there for a few minutes, I pulled into a parking spot. Before I could think about it any longer, I got out of the truck and walked toward the entrance.
I was done running. It was time to tell Harlee everything. And that included how I felt about her.
Harlee
My heart had been pounding since I’d seen Palmer holding up the paper. I hadn’t written a special edition column this week. I’d sent my regular column to my father before I left town, in case we got stuck up at the cabin.
