Page 47 of Resorting to Romance

“Right. Well, I borrowed a page from the books and we made rules—guidelines, like no catching feelings, stuff like that.”

“Why on earth would you set that as a rule, Mila? Kai is hot. Yes. I said it. He’s a darn good looking man. I mean, those eyesalone. And then you add in the surfer bod … my heart is completely devoted to Davis. But I’m not dead. I know a handsome man when I see one. And Kai’s handsome in a way that makes you look—like when you really look at a Dutch painting, like one by Rembrandt, and it just gets more and more beautiful the longer you stare at it, or those rare sunsets where every single shade of pastel and neon vie for your attention in a display that makes you ponder things beyond this earth. You simply have to look. Tell me you can at least see Kai’s attractive.”

I nod, not appreciating the fact that Chloe noticed Kai, or that she has such a poetic way of describing his uncommon beauty, then chiding myself for caring. Why should I care? Kai is handsome. It’s not like that’s a secret. After Chloe’s rant about Kai’s looks, I’m unfortunately assaulted by images of Kai—helping in my kitchen, laughing, surfing with Noah, running his hand through his hair, his dad face, the way he looked down at me like a man who wanted to kiss a woman.

Chloe continues her campaign. It’s likeKai for President, only it’sKai for the most eligible bachelor in your life.

“And he’s kind. He’s good with Noah. Plus, he’s always over here pitching in. I don’t know why you haven’t caught feelings already.”

“And, this?” I wave my hand in her direction. “This is why I hesitated to tell you. It’s not that I don’t trust you with my secrets. I know you guard my confidences with your life. It’s just … I can’t fall for Kai. And I don’t want him falling for me. And I don’t want you getting all excited about a potential love match when this is strictly a practical decision to keep lines clear between me and Brad.”

“A practical decision? Is that what the kids are calling it these days?” Chloe laughs.

“You mock me. But, seriously, I can’t have Brad thinking he’s got a chance with me.”

“So, tell him. Tell Brad you’d never date him again if it werethe zombie apocalypse and it were up to the two of you to perpetuate the human race.”

“I don’t think that’s the exact phrasing I’d choose.”

“Whatever, just make it firm. That’s what adults do, Mila. They set boundaries. They talk. They don’t … fake date a hot guy just to keep their ex-husband from making a move.”

She’s got an expression on her face that’s half annoyed, half compassionate. I’ll admit I haven’t always been the most direct communicator. I love peace. I could wear a T-shirt that says something like,Why can’t we all just get along?OrPlay nice. Come to think of it, I do own two graphic T’s that say,Be Kind. That’s really the way I like to do life—non-confrontational and agreeable, with a side of baked goods.

But having a peace-loving personality doesn’t mean I can’t set boundaries. Maybe it used to, but Chloe knows me. I’ve grown. I have limits and I set them kindly and firmly. Going through a divorce and owning my own business where I serve all manner of customers has sent me through two orientations by fire. I’ve learned my limits and how to communicate them diplomatically.

I look at my best friend, so grateful for her mama bear tendencies when it comes to me and my life. She’d take a bullet for me. Knowing her, though, the bullet would take one look at her when she’s all riled up, and retreat to shoot in the opposite direction.

“So, you think I should just tell Brad he doesn’t have a chance? And he’d just accept it? He’d leave me alone? He’d honor that line if I drew it?”

Chloe pauses. She knows Brad. “Okay. Yeah. You’re right. He’d act like he accepted your wishes, and then he’d double down, trying to win you back.”

“And that won’t ever happen.”

“I know. Because if there were even a smidge of a chance of anything happening between you two, I’d be over here in his face—and in yours—tackling that mess like a linebacker.”

I chuckle. “Yeah. You would. But you won’t have to. I’m never going back to Brad. I’m not even dating any man until after Noahis out of the house. I’ve already decided that. It’s too complicated. And Noah needs me. The inn needs me. But even when I do start dating—if I do—Brad is on the list of men I will never date, not even then.”

“Decisions can change.” Chloe’s face looks so unfortunately hopeful, not about Brad, obviously, but about me dating before Noah leaves.

“Not that decision.”

“What about the rules?” Chloe’s arms have lowered at some point. She’s relaxed back into the cushions of the couch, making a playful face.

“The rules are there for a reason. Kai and I want to preserve our friendship. And we need the guidelines to help us carry this off. And we can’t let Noah suspect anything.”

“Of course not.” Chloe nods emphatically.

We stare at one another, the weight of Noah’s situation hanging between us. The unknown influence of Brad’s sudden reappearance like an anvil overhead, dangling by nothing but piano wire and hope for the best.

“Well, my lips are sealed,” Chloe promises me. “I’m in on this charade now. I’ll just act like you and Kai are dating. Is this just in front of Brad? Or …?”

“Oh. Yeah. Right.” I sigh. “Well, it was supposed to be. But then someone saw me and Kai with Brad outside Horizons. And then people talked. And it got back to my aunts.”

“Oh, no! What did you tell them?”

“Thankfully, they assumed the rumors were true, and I didn’t correct them.”

Chloe smiles warmly. She’s not upset at me for duping my aunts. I feel a little guilty, but it had to be done. In time, I’ll explain everything to them. I’m not sure when, but I will.

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