AllFreeNovel
Share Us
It feels like a lifetime, but then I’m not a parent. I don’t know what it feels like to have to put your trust in another human where it concerns your child. I don’t know what it must have been like for Luke to wake up and go to Harper’s room only to find her bed empty. My stomach drops just thinking of his panic.
Shit.
I want to rush up the stairs after him and apologize, assure him that I understand why this is all strange and complicated. I could make it clear to him that I’ll try harder with Harper, no matter how cute and persuasive she is; I won’t continue to cross the boundaries he set for me. But then, I’m pretty sure I’m the last person he wants to see right now, so I finish making coffee, whip up a quick breakfast, and grab my grocery bags off the counter. My plan is to make myself scarce the rest of the day.
Luke must be attempting to avoid me too because when I get back from the store, I see a note in the kitchen, centered right on the island so I can’t miss it.
At the beach, no need to make lunch.
Also, I’m taking Harper out for dinner tonight like we discussed.
Right. My date with Oliver is tonight. Oh goodie.
I flip the note over just to ensure there’s nothing else written on the back. I don’t have anything too specific in mind, just something like:
Dear Chloe,
I long to see you so we can set things to rights. To me, you’re the sun and the moon. My passions got the better of me, but I hope you can forgive me at once.
Yours eternally,
Luke
As you can tell, I was reading a historical romance novel before bed last night.
Anyway, the back of the note is blank. Fine. My day is suddenly free—wonderful. I take full advantage. I make some cinnamon rolls so I can let them prove overnight. Then I change into my bathing suit, grab a spare bike from where it’s parked near the shed, throw a wave to Ned, and head down to the beach. Don’t worry, I make sure to find a spot that’s all but deserted. I don’t want to accidentally bump into Luke and Harper out here.
I have my romance book, and joke’s on Luke because the duke is about to rail his duchess, so I’m actually happy to have the day off, thank you very much. If reading regency porn on the beach is wrong, throw me in handcuffs and haul me off to jail.
My sunburn from when I fell asleep by the pool is long gone. My summer tan has come out to play, and after I tear through a few chapters of my book, I go out into the water and swim until every muscle in my body screams at me to stop. Then I sit in the shallow surf and let the tide wash up and over me. I love it. I can see why rich people spend so much money to buy property here. We’re barely two hours from New York City, but I feel like I’m in another world. No taxis or trains or sirens or… I was about to say worries, but ha ha, I have plenty of those.
Whenever there’s a swell of tension in my stomach over the idea of facing Luke again, I pick up my book or go back out into the water. I packed myself a nice little picnic lunch too. I’ve got cubes of aged cheddar cheese, a ripe peach, Lays potato chips, and a wine spritzer in a can. La de da.
I make sure to stay out at the beach until it’s absolutely crunch time for me to rush home and get ready for my date. It works perfectly because the house is empty when I get back. Luke and Harper are already out at dinner, I guess.
I shower and wash the salt water out of my hair. It’s usually dark brown, but in the summer, the sun gives me natural highlights, especially the strands that frame my face. I rub on moisturizer until my body is thoroughly quenched, and then I rifle through my closet. I feel beautiful. Well, on the outside at least. Inside, I’m a pit of despair, which should make me a lovely dinner companion for Oliver. The point is, I want to show off a little bit. I settle on a long maxi skirt and matching crop top. It’s not exactly the safest option. I won’t be covered up very well, but I can’t seem to care. I like the bit of my stomach that shows between the top and the skirt. My bare shoulders and arms look toned and sun-kissed. I layer two gold necklaces around my neck and add on a pair of light brown sandals with thin straps that wind up and tie around my ankles. Aunt Amara brought them back from Italy the last time she and my uncle went for a visit with Nonna.
