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***
The soothing crash of waves along the shoreline greeted me as I stepped onto Pebble Point Beach. After the chaotic day at the office filled with unexpected encounters with Alexander, I needed the serenity of my favorite childhood refuge. I slipped off my shoes, reveling in the sensation of warm sand under my feet, and began a long, leisurely stroll along the water’s edge.
The fading sunlight cast a golden glow over the beach, and I paused to admire the familiar silhouette of the old lighthouse in the distance. How many times had I climbed those winding steps as a child, dreaming of adventures beyond this little seaside town? Now, after years away building my career in the bustling city, here I was back in Pebble Point, drawn by a longing for home.
Continuing my stroll, I inhaled deeply, taking in the invigorating scent of the salty ocean air. The cacophony of shrieking gulls intertwined with the steady rhythm of waves crashing upon the shore. I endeavored to clear my mind, immersing myself solely in the serene beauty surrounding me. Yet, my thoughts persistently veered back to the intimate moment with Alexander in the office kitchen.
The sensation of his sturdy, reassuring grip on my arm while aiding in cleaning the coffee stain from his shirt lingered in my memory. Those piercing blue eyes, their expression eluding my understanding, gazing down at me, had ignited an undeniable energy between us.
My heart fluttered as his large hand gently grasped my arm to steady me while I dabbed at the dark splotch spreading across his crisp white shirt. Even through the fabric, I couldfeel the warmth and steadiness of his touch, sending a shiver up my spine. His eyes, a piercing blue like the sea on a clear day, stared intensely into mine, his brows slightly furrowed as if trying to read my innermost thoughts. I could not break his gaze, transfixed by how the light caught those mesmerizing irises. What was he thinking at that moment as we stood so close, my hand pressed lightly against his firm chest? Curiosity? Attraction? I couldn’t tell. But there was a palpable tension in the air between us now, like the charged moments just before a summer storm. The casual intimacy of cleaning his stained shirt had shifted subtly, awakening an exhilarating awareness of him as a man and of my longing to explore this unexpected chemistry kindling between us.
I shook my head, trying to break the spell of the memory. Alexander was my boss now, and I had to maintain a professional relationship. I couldn’t let my imagination run wild with fanciful notions of romance.
Sitting on a weathered bench facing the ocean, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I let the melody of the waves calm my racing mind and the crying gulls a gentle counterpoint. I focused only on the sensations - the caress of the breeze, the warmth of the setting sun on my skin. I felt myself relaxing, the stresses of the day dissipating.
As I sat there with my eyes closed, listening to the soothing sounds of the ocean, I could feel the knot in my chest loosening. This was precisely what I needed - a quiet moment to decompress. The screeching gulls circling overhead reminded me I wasn’t the only one seeking respite as the day wound down. I smiled slightly, imagining they were as stressed out as I was from their gull version of work.
I must have drifted off, because suddenly I became aware of an approaching voice calling my name. My eyes fluttered open to find Alexander standing before me, dressed in running gearthat showed off his athletic physique. He was smiling broadly, a sheen of sweat on his brow.
“Mind if I join you for a quick breather?” he asked. Before I could respond, he sat down on the bench beside me. My pulse quickened being so close to him, the scent of his cologne mingling with the sea air.
“This is my favorite spot for an evening run,” Alexander said, gazing at the glittering ocean. “It’s so peaceful here at sunset.”
I murmured in agreement, acutely aware of his arm resting just inches from mine on the bench. I felt like a smitten teenager, my imagination running wild with romantic possibilities. But I was determined to keep things light and professional.
Alexander turned to me, his expression open and warm. “I’m glad you’re back, Etta,” he said. “Pebble Point could use someone like you to liven things up around here.”
He grinned playfully, and the sweet sound of our shared laughter seemed to blend harmoniously with the sounds of the beach. I felt myself relaxing. Maybe I was overthinking things. Alexander was an old friend, after all. What harm was there in enjoying his company?
“Walk you home?” he asked, rising from the bench and extending his hand. I smiled and let him pull me up, our hands lingering a moment longer than necessary. As we strolled down the beach toward home, the gulls crying overhead mirrored the happy fluttering in my heart. The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a rosy glow over the sand. And despite my earlier attempts at restraint, I let my imagination indulge in dreams of what could be between us.
Chapter 9
The discordant chimes of my alarm stirred me from a restless sleep. As I blinked awake, remnants of dreams faded away, replaced by thoughts of the evening prior. Alexander walking me home, our hands occasionally brushing, the charged silence between us. Had I had hoped for...something? A kiss on the cheek, a slow hug, a sign our relationship was shifting? But Alexander was a gentleman, cordial yet reserved, leaving me confused.
I rose and dressed for my day at Pebble Point Publishing, butterflies swirling in my stomach. Alexander and I were collaborating on a new children’s book, The Secret Garden of Stars, meaning more time together. I wasn’t sure if I was eager or anxious. In the kitchen, I prepared a simple breakfast, too preoccupied to eat much. My mind drifted back to the beach, the way Alexander looked at me, so intense yet tender.
The walk to work blurred in my anxious state, causing me to overlook the scenic beauty of my seaside town. I paused for a moment, inhaling deeply, before stepping into the publishinghouse lobby. My heart quickened as I noticed Alexander engaged in conversation with Clara at her desk. Our eyes met, and he greeted me with a warm smile.
“Morning, Etta. Ready for our first brainstorming session?” he asked, his words instigating a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation within me.
I managed a smile, hoping it didn’t betray my inner turmoil. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”
We settled in the conference room with cups of coffee, sunlight streaming through the windows. I tried to focus as Alexander discussed his vision for the story and characters. But my eyes drifted to the curve of his lips, the passion in his voice. Get it together, I scolded myself. This is your job.
***
I smiled as Alexander’s rich laughter filled the conference room. We were discussing marketing ideas for The Secret Garden of Stars when I cheekily suggested a nationwide book tour.
“A national tour? My dear Etta, I’m not as young as I used to be,” Alexander said, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
“Oh, come on, it will be fun! We could travel the country together in a decked-out bus or RV, doing readings at schools and bookstores,” I replied.
Alexander chuckled again. “While your enthusiasm is admirable, I think a nationwide tour might be overly ambitious for a new picture book.”
I feigned indignation in response. “Overly ambitious? Alexander Fairmont, you taught me to dream big. What happened to that adventurous spirit of yours?”
“It’s still here,” he said, leaning back in his chair. “But it also understands budget limitations.”
