Page 107 of Changing Tides

“Cap’n Crunch,” she says.

Amiya picks up the box and examines it.

“I can see it. They’re both old and goofy.”

Leia giggles.

When she makes it to the bottom of her bowl, she picks it up and slurps the remaining milk. Amiya takes the bowl and places it in the sink.

“Okay, kid, go brush your teeth and find your bathing suit. You and I are going to the beach while Mommy works.”

Leia hops down and skips to her room.

“So, what’s the plan?” Amiya asks once Leia is out of earshot.

“I’m going to talk to Kimball this morning and tender my resignation. Talk to Sabel and ask if I can break my lease two months early. Call my parents and ask if Leia and I can stay with them for a while. Then, I’m going to have a realtor list the loft. It’s time for us to start over. Again.”

She leans her elbows on the granite in front of me. “Not that it doesn’t thrill me to have you back in Atlanta, but don’t you think you should at least stay here until the end of your contract?”

I shake my head. “I can’t be here.”

“What about Sebastian?” she asks.

“What about him?”

“The cat’s out of the bag now. You can’t put it back in. No matter how badly you want to. He’s not just gonna let you take off with Leia,” she whispers.

“Has he been here the last three days?” I ask.

“What?”

“Has he shown up here at all the last three days?” I ask slowly.

“No, but …”

“But nothing, Amiya. All us being here has done is complicate his life. I’m sure, at this point, he wishes we’d never come to Sandcastle Cove.”

“Don’t pretend you’re running away for his benefit.”

“I’m not running away.”

“Who do you think you’re talking to? I know you,” she quips.

“Amiya, please. Please don’t.”

She stands and backs away. “Fine. You know I’ll always have your back. You run, and I run with you.”

I help her get Leia ready for their day and wait until the Mercedes is backing out of the driveway before getting dressed.

Grabbing my keys and purse, I open the front door to find Sabel standing on the stoop, wringing her hands.

“Hi. I was just about to knock,” she says.

Tears prick at the back of my eyes when I see her.

“Oh, Avie,” she says as she wraps her arms around me.

She lets me cry on her shoulder for several minutes before she coaxes me across the street for a cup of tea.

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