Page 54 of Beast

The moment I ask her about that, I see her guard slip. Surfing really if her passion. Her eyes light up as she tells me about competitions she’s been in and how she won nationals when she was sixteen.

“Did you never want to do it professionally?”

Blake’s expression turns sad. “It was my dream, but my parents wouldn’t let me pursue it.” She sighs. “Not to mention, it’s tough. Being a pro surfer isn’t easy at all.”

I wish her parents hadn’t dashed her dreams like that. My baby girl should do whatever makes her happy. If I had her willingly, I’d support every dream she held, nourish them even.

God, what the hell is happening to me?

I don’t care about anyone but myself normally.

“I’d love to see you surf someday,” I tell her sincerely.

She looks surprised. “Maybe you will.”

The chef returns and clears out plates before placing a dessert of chocolate soufflé in front of us.

Blake groans in appreciation. “This looks amazing.”

The chef smiles. “Enjoy.”

Once we’re alone again, Blake’s attention fixes on me. “So tell me about your business,” Blake says after a bite of the decadent dessert. “Did you start the company yourself or inherit it?”

“I started it from nothing,” I reply. “I had the vision for the software and slowly built up the company over the past fifteen years.”

She nods, looking intrigued. “That must have taken a lot of hard work and dedication.”

“It certainly wasn’t easy,” I say with a small laugh. “There were many long days and sleepless nights in those early years. But the satisfaction of building something from the ground up made it worthwhile.”

Blake takes a sip of wine, her bright blue eyes fixed on me. “What gave you the idea for the software in the first place?”

I think back to those early days, when I was in college with big dreams. “I saw a need that wasn’t being addressed by the technology at the time. I knew I could create something better, something that would really help businesses operate more efficiently. My professors told me I was chasing a pipe dream, but I believed in my vision.”

“And clearly you were right,” Blake says, gesturing around at the luxurious yacht.

I nod. “It took perseverance and determination, but yes, my work paid off in the end.”

“That’s really impressive,” she says. For the first time, I detect a hint of admiration in her voice.

After a short silence, Blake speaks again. “So, do you have a big family? Any brothers or sisters?”

I tense up. My family is the one subject I never discuss. The wounds are too raw, even after all these years.

“I’d rather not talk about my family,” I snap, taking a large sip of wine.

Blake looks surprised by my abrupt tone. “Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to pry.”

An awkward silence descends. I debate internally whether I should open up to her. Blake is the first person I’ve felt any real connection with for a long time. And her kind eyes and genuine interest make me want to confess things I’ve never told anyone.

But I can’t because I know how she’ll look at me—with pity. And I don’t need anyones pity. My parents and sister died when I was eight in a car crash, and somehow I survived it, but it doesn’t take away from who I am.

“No worries, I just don’t talk about it.” I clear my throat. “Are your family close?”

Blake hesitates, swirling the wine in her glass. “It’s complicated,” she finally says.

“How so?”

She sighs. “Well, my dad is a top surgeon back in Atlanta. He’s the head of cardiothoracic surgery at Emory University Hospital. My mom is a surgeon too, she specializes in neurology.”

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