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“Want something to eat?” Sutton asks.
“Not sure I can handle food yet.”
“Fair.” He moves to the other end of the island.
I stare out the window at the pale blue sky where a single, fluffy cloud reflects off the lake. A slice of heaven.
The quietness unnerves me. My thoughts aren’t the best company right now. “Thanks for letting me crash last night.”
“No worries.” Ford circles the island and selects a muffin from a glass-domed platter. He settles onto a bar stool next to Sutton, completely at ease.
I had that. Once upon a time. With Katherine.
The coffee gives me a hot jolt as I swallow. How am I going to fix this?
What do I say?
Katherine appreciates bald honesty, so I should probably start there. After a run to gather my thoughts.
“Do you guys know where they’re staying?” I should have asked some basic questions before laying my lips on hers.
“Gabe mentioned his house is at the other end of the road but didn’t say which one,” Ford offers.
We stare at each other for a long, silent moment. The other end of the road. Seriously? That feels a little. . . odd.
“You guys going to be around for a while? I was thinking of going for a run.”
“We’ll be here.” Ford waves me off.
I take my coffee back to the guest room, change into a pair of gym shorts, and slip on my sneakers. One last sip of java, and I’m out the door.
Salty air fills my lungs as I stretch.
What am I going to say when I finally see her again? All those miles traveled, all those hours, and I lost my head. I stride down the driveway and through the gate. Right toward town or left to the beach?
New money loves showing off, so I’m betting he has a beach house.
Despite my headache, it feels good to move. I push myself because the harder I run, the less energy I have to think.
I cut through the first beach access point I come across. The sand shifts beneath my feet, and sweat runs down my back. My stomach isn’t thrilled with my choices, but at least I’m burning off the worst of my hangover.
Without breaking my stride, I jerk my t-shirt over my head and tuck it into the waistband of my shorts. Ahead, a man throws a ball for a black and white dog. I lift a hand as I race past.
Rounding a bend, I hug the shore, where the sand is firm and smooth. It looks like there’s an inlet coming up. And right before that is a figure sitting just out of the water’s reach.
A woman.
A lovely strawberry blonde, arms on her knees as she studies her phone.
My heart squeezes, and excitement floods my veins. She glances up as I approach, and her eyes widen.
Is that pleasure or surprise?
Gabe
A knock at the front door pulls my attention away from the ocean and the fiery-haired woman strolling along the sand. Fuck, she’s gorgeous. And now that I know her hair is as silky as it looks. . .
I give my head a quick shake, trying to calm the rising lust. Forget rising; I woke up with a hard-on for her.
