Page 193 of Exposé

My lips found his, our bodies telling each other what our words couldn't.

Epilogue: Nate

One Year Later

The Pacific stretched in every direction, endless blue broken only by the whitecaps of rolling waves. Sunlight bounced off the water, a mirror of heat and light. The air carried salt, sunscreen, and enough rum to take the edge off.

Ava sat beside me, legs stretched out in the sand, her sunglasses hiding sharp, assessing eyes. “I think I like daiquiris more than mojitos.”

I glanced at the glass in her hand—a sugar bomb masquerading as a cocktail, condensation trailing down the side. “That’s because you like drinking melted candy.”

She handed it over, the mini umbrella poking my knuckle. One sip and my throat burned with hidden potency. I coughed. “Jesus. How many shots are in this?”

“Enough to keep things interesting.” She smirked, reclaiming her glass. Her hair, now sun-lightened and shorter, caught in the breeze. It suited her—practical, adaptable, lethal when necessary.

The small house behind us blended into the landscape, one of a handful along this quiet stretch of beach. No roads, no tourists, just locals and their secrets. A puddle jumper bobbed in the shallows, its pontoons rocking with the tide. Our exit strategy, always prepped.

“I like it here.” Her fingers trailed over mine.

I squeezed back. “Yeah. Me too.”

Our lips met, and for a moment, the world faded out, leaving us as its sole inhabitants. The taste of rum and strawberries danced on her tongue, and something uniquely Ava—intoxicating, impossible to resist. I’d never expected to find this kind of peace. Never thought I’d want it.

A slow crunch of sand signaled movement. I lifted my head. Guss, our neighbor and ex-Mexican police, strode past, a woven basket swinging at his side. His sun-weathered skin glistened with oil, his bare feet sinking into the sand with each step. He gave a quick nod. “Buenos dias, you two.” His voice carried over the rhythmic hiss of the tide. “Soaking up the sun, I see.”

“Always,” Ava said with a smile. “Are you still heading into town today?”

“Si. Dropping these off first.” He gestured to his haul, then paused, shifting his weight and glancing at me. “Hey, before I forget, I ran into someone early this morning asking about you.”

"Oh yeah?" Every nerve went on high alert, my relaxed shoulders deceiving the tension inside my chest. “Did he say what he wanted?”

“Just that he was looking."

"Did you recognize him?"

He shrugged. "No, he dressed like a tourist, but he was definitely someone official."

Ava and I shared a look.

Not again.

I nodded. “Appreciate the heads-up.”

Guss gave a casual wave. “Did you want something from town? I can grab it when I go.”

Ava shook her head. "I remembered I bought an extra when we went last time. But thanks for the offer."

"Come by if you change your mind." He adjusted the basket and continued on his way, disappearing down the beach.

Ava moved first, cutting toward the house. I followed, scanning the treeline for movement.

“It was only a matter of time,” I muttered.

"It's my fault." She huffed as we hurried inside. “I jinxed us.”

"Hey, it's no one's fault here. We knew this was only a matter of time." I grabbed her by the arm, stopping her from moving and making her look me in the eyes. "Do you understand that?"

"Yeah. It would have been nice to be here for a little longer than two weeks, though, you know?"

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