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My parents had done it once.
I sighed and crossed the road. It was quiet aside from the tourists slowly filtering out of the Victorian-style hotels that lined the long road. Breakfast was in full swing, but a mix of families and older couples slowly filled the street to take part in whatever their plans for today were.
Yep.
Definitely needed to run a bit earlier next time.
“Oh, sorry,” I said when I almost walked into someone. “I didn’t—oh.”
Noah.
Tall, handsome, irritating Noah, who was wearing shorts and a t-shirt that gave far too good a look at his upper body—and the dark ink that covered his left forearm. That muscle clenched as he flexed his fingers against his own water bottle.
Sigh.
Tall. Handsome. Dark haired. Green eyes. Tattooed.
It was a shame he was a heart-breaking bastard, or he’d almost be perfect.
He looked like he was ready for his own run, given both his attire and his water bottle. At least I hoped he was about to do a workout—he looked far too fine to have just done one.
I, however, was a hot, sweaty mess, despite my break.
Noah looked down at me. “Charlotte. You’re out early.”
“No earlier than you,” I replied. “Sorry. I wasn’t paying attention.”
Jesus Christ, Charlotte, stop looking at that tattoo.
“Don’t worry. How are you?”
“Like you care.” The words bit out of me before I could stop them, and I wasn’t all that mad about it, honestly.
Let my mouth work before my brain did.
Maybe next time he just wouldn’t talk to me.
A girl could dream.
Noah sighed. “Lottie…”
“Charlotte,” I corrected him. “I need to go. Excuse me.”
“Wait. I—”
“Okay, let’s go,” a cheery voice said from the store next to us. “Or I’m going to be late for work.”
I turned in her direction. She resembled the girl Ash had pointed out as Kayla, and my stomach did a weird, nauseous flip as our eyes met.
Noah looked between us. “Kayla, this is Charlotte. She used to spend summers here with her grandpa. She owns the bed and breakfast now.”
Kayla eyed me with a steeliness in her gaze. “I’ve heard.” She turned to Noah, dismissing me with that single glance. “Should you be talking to her?”
Wow.
“Nice to meet you, too,” I muttered, earning myself a dark look from her.
“Yes. She was only questioned as a matter of protocol,” Noah answered, then looked at me. “How are you?”
