Page 20 of Beyond the Hate

Maya squeezes my bicep. “If all else fails, we have hurricane insurance. Some very expensive insurance.”

I force a smile. I know she’s trying to reassure me but it’s not working. I’ve been following the storm’s path. We need a miracle for the hurricane to miss Smuggler’s Hideaway.

Nova trudges over to us with Sophia and Chloe following her. “If we’re done here, I should get going. Hudson needs all the help he can get with the resort.”

My stomach dips. Here I’m worried about our brewery while Nova has much more to worry about.Hideaway Haven Resortand her home are right on the beach. Even if the hurricane manages to miss us, flooding near the beach is a given.

“Go.” I urge her. “We’ve done as much as we can here.”

She gives each of us hugs before hurrying off. “Be safe!” she shouts as she jumps into her car and speeds away.

“I’m off as well,” Sophia says. “Flynn has been blowing up my phone. He wants me home safe.”

She blows us kisses before leaving.

“Do you want to come home with me?” Maya asks.

My brow wrinkles. “Why?”

“Um.” She bites her lip.

“Because you’ll be alone,” Chloe answers. She threads her arm through mine. “I’ll be alone as well. Lucas is on duty until the storm passes. You’re welcome to come home with me.”

“You won’t be alone. Your daughter will be with you.”

“Natalia’s fun. We have a bunch of games all ready for when the electricity goes out.”

I unwind her arm from mine. “I’ll be fine. This storm is an excuse to catch up on my reading.”

Maya’s eyes light up. “What are you reading? Anything super hot?”

Chloe laughs. “She’s not reading one of your romance novels. She’s probably reading some boring non-fiction book about the history of brewing.”

Ha. Jokes on her. I’ve already read every book on the history of brewing I could find.

“I’m actually reading a biography.” But I’m not telling them it’s the biography of Jeremy Holland, the man who establishedApparootogether with Eli.

“If you’re sure?” Chloe asks.

“I’ll be fine. I’m used to being alone.”

Maya frowns at my reference to my family. She knows how it feels to be estranged from your family. But unlike her, I don’t yearn for their love. I gave up on them long ago. Although, she doesn’t yearn for her parents’ love anymore since she now has Caleb.

A man strolls out of the brewery. Speaking of Caleb. He ensures the door is sealed up tight before making his way to us.

“I elevated as many appliances as I could and I tested the generator.”

“Thank you for your help but shouldn’t you be at the resort helping Hudson?”

Once Caleb was discharged from the Army, Hudson hired him as the chief of security at the resort.

“Nope. Hudson has it covered.” He throws an arm around Maya’s shoulders to bring her near. “Besides, there was no way I was being separated from Maya now.”

Maya rolls her eyes. “Someone’s a bit overprotective.”

Caleb kisses her hair. “I finally have you. I’m not letting anything happen to you.”

Maya melts into him. I feel a stab of jealousy. I want what they have. A man who supports me. A man who understands me.

---