Page 98 of The Spark Between Us

His eyes twinkled. “I’m not gonna lie. I thought about it the whole time your lazy ass was making me paddle.” He pressed his lips together. “And I just may have invited you out here with the idea that you needed an ice bath to pull you out of your stupor.”

I nodded and he ducked, maybe afraid I was going to throw the paddle in my hands at him. “Thank you.”

Smug, he picked up his paddle and turned back around. “You’re welcome.” He started paddling, and I joined the rhythm. With the two of us working, we made it back to the marina quickly.

Our clothes had mostly dried by the time we got back and returned the kayak, so we went straight to breakfast at Bette’s Oceanview Diner before going across the street for some Peet’s coffee to take back to my house.

Finn drove and I looked out the window, amazed at how much better I felt than when I’d woken up that morning. For the first time since I left Carolwood with my heart in my throat, I believed I could find a way to be happy with or without Braden. I still had a lot to sort out, especially if what Finn said was true. But either way, I had a sense that something better was on the horizon.

With that slightly adjusted mindset, I nodded to myself. “Okay, I’m ready to get out of my sweatpants.”

Finn laughed. “Good girl.” When we turned on my street, I was looking at him, so I didn’t immediately see the white pickup parked in front of my house. But I saw the questioning look on Finn’s face.

Then I saw Mitch leaning against my front door.

---