Page 3 of Before It Was Love

“Missing someone is a response to the lack of continuity in your life.”

I shake my head at Paisley. She’s always bringing up random facts at odd times. Her brain is full of information. It’s no surprise she’s the brewer atFive Fathoms Brewing.

“You’re such a nerd,” Chloe says.

Paisley pushes her glasses up her nose and stares Chloe down. “Better a nerd than a wild child.”

Maya glances back and forth between the two. “The nerd versus the wild child. I know who I’d bet on.”

“No arguing today. Today is a happy day.” Nova smiles.

Chloe rolls her eyes. “Every day is a happy day in Nova-land.”

It’s true. Nova is the most optimistic person I know. With her sunshine personality, it’s no wonder she’s the sales manager at the brewery. Her dazzling smile could sell fish to a mermaid.

“You haven’t changed a bit. None of you have.”

“Neither have you. Except for the clothes.” Chloe points to my shoes.

“What’s wrong with my shoes?”

Chloe rolls her eyes. “Who are you trying to impress?”

“Impress?” I smooth down my skirt. “I’m wearing normal, everyday clothes.”

Nova waggles her eyebrows. “I always travel across the country wearing a tight skirt, flirty blouse, and sexy sandals.”

“I didn’t travel across the country. Atlanta is on the East Coast same as Smuggler’s Hideaway.”

“Someone wanted to look good in case she ran into a certain someone,” Chloe sings.

My cheeks heat because she’s right. Dang it! I didn’t want Flynn to see me in yoga pants with Cheeto stains on them.

Ugh! It always comes back to Flynn. The reason why I fled the island. The reason why I didn’t want to come back. The reason why no man is ever good enough.

The reason I’m a fool. A big fat fool.

Nova slaps Chloe’s shoulder. “Don’t embarrass her. She’ll run away and it’ll be another decade before she returns.”

“I didn’t run away,” I claim.

“And I’m not shy,” Maya challenges.

“You don’t sound very shy now.”

Chloe smirks. “Ask her about Caleb. She’ll return to her shy persona in a snap.”

Maya’s cheeks flare and she ducks her chin. Interesting.

“Caleb from high school?”

“They’re pen pals,” Chloe says.

“Receiving a physical piece of mail can be more tangible and meaningful to a soldier than seeing a loved one on a computer screen,” notes Paisley.

I glance around the room. “You’ve been holding out on me. Maya is pen pals with a hot soldier?”

“And Chloe has the hots for the sexy cop next door,” Nova adds.

---