Page 76 of From Coast to Coast

She laughs. “Nobody says that, and no, it doesn’t. Seriously, I’m sorry. I was frustrated and I took it out on you.”

“You were also right.”

“Well,” she says, but kindly leaves it at that. Both of us remember, though, so nothing more really needs to be said.

“You know I did love you, right? I realize now it was not the kind of love that should have led to marriage, but it was love nonetheless. You were my best friend before we went and ruined it with kissing.”

She laughs again, snorting a little bit and making me smile. “Kissing doesn’t usually ruin things. We were shockingly incompatible, though, weren’t we?”

“I uhm…I did some dating after we separated and it turns out I’m ‘shockingly incompatible’ with the majority of people.” She’s silent, waiting for me to either clarify or change the subject. It’s the perfect segue into telling her about Grayson, though, so I soldier on. “I’ve only actually felt head-over-heels attracted to one person. Ever.”

“And this is the ‘company,’ I’m assuming?” Amanda asks, an excited lilt to her voice.Thisis the Amanda I miss—the one who was my friend and staunchest supporter. The one who would never begrudge me happiness, even if it means it’s not with her.

“Yeah. It’s early, but… I really like him and I’m happy.”

“Good. You deserve to—wait, what? Did you say ‘him’?”

“Yeah.” I wait, fingers clenched tight around the phone and eyes firmly on Grayson. I’m torn between wanting to hang up and join him, and finishing what I started with this conversation.

“Oh, Ree.” She sighs, and she sounds so sad, I immediately know where her head is at.

“I’m not gay. It’s not like I was using our marriage to pretend and be someone I’m not. It’s justthisguy that I like. It’s just Grayson.”

“Grayson Brody,” she fills in, and I hum an agreement. “Wow. He seems nice—is he nice? When he does post-game interviews, he just seems so kind. Stoic. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him lose his temper on the ice.”

“No.” I grin at her assessment, reminded of the nights we used to sit up and watch games together. “He’s very…steady. And nice, yes. Very nice.”

“Wow,” she repeats. “I’m happy for you.”

She sounds like she means it. I smile, leaning my forehead against the glass and closing my eyes. Of course she doesn’t care that I told her I’m seeing a man right after we broke up. She only cares that he’s kind.

“Thanks. I’d better go though, Amanda. He’s going to think I got lost.”

“Of course. Thanks for taking my call. Good luck on the rest of the season—I’ll be watching.”

Leaving my cell phone in the kitchen, I jog down the stairs and across the sand. Hearing me coming, Grayson turns and smiles as I approach. Before I can say anything, he holds out his hand.

“Look,” he says.

Lying in his palm is a fully intact sand dollar. I brush my fingers carefully across the surface, wiping off the excess sand. I’ve lived in California my entire life and never have I found one in such perfect condition. I glance up at Grayson to find him smiling at me, eyes shining bright against his tan.

“Holy shit. I’ve never found one this good before.”

“I stepped on it! I can’t believe it didn’t shatter. How cool is that?”

“Very cool.” I curl his fingers over it, sharing his smile. Christ, he is handsome. “Amanda called while I was inside. That’s what took me so long. Sorry to leave you out here.”

“It’s no trouble,” he murmurs, dropping his arm to his side and eyeing me. “You okay?”

The warmth I feel has nothing to do with the sun. Only Grayson would hear that I was talking to my ex-wife on the phone and, instead of getting jealous or defensive, would wonder if I was all right.

“I’m fine. I told her about you.”

“You didwhat?” he asks, dropping the sand dollar in surprise. I crouch, picking it up and tucking it into my pocket for safety. The poor thing was already stepped on once—it won’t survive twice.

“I told her about us.” He stares at me. “She’s happy for me. She said you seem nice.”

“Holy shit,” he breathes. “I can’t believe you told her. I…well, I guess I thought you might have to work up to it. Practice on a few people first, before telling the important people.”

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