Page 79 of Stella

I looked up at the sky, the sun almost touching the water.

I let out a breath. We would make it work.

“Stella?”

I was clearly hearing voices. I was pumping myself up so much to see Simon, that now I was hearing him.

“Stella!”

Great, I was losing my mind. I looked over my shoulder, expecting to see nothing but some plump seagulls begging like they were starving. But no.

Walking down the steep steps to the beach were Evan, Jerrick and Simon.

Simon was actually wearing cargo shorts and a tank top. I blinked. Maybe Simon had a twin brother. An evil-er twin brother.

I stood up, brushing sand off my skirt even though I was sitting on a beach blanket. “Guys?”

Evan closed the distance between us and pulled me into a hug so tight I couldn’t breathe. Jerrick shifting a knapsack on his shoulder and hugged me from the other side. Simon hung back, watching us with a miserable expression.

“Simon?”

“Cheese and crackers! Get over here.” I held his arm out.

Simon hugged me and I breathed in the scent of them holding me.

The piercing hole in my chest started to hurt less, and I relaxed for the first time in a week. Tears pricked the corner of my eyes.

“I’m so sorry,” Simon whispered. “Can you forgive me? Please forgive me.”

“I’m sorry too.” I squeezed my eyes shut, and Simon yanked me against him. “I shouldn’t have said it was a fling.”

“I’m not ever letting you go.” Simon held me like I’d threatened to do just that.

“Okay.” I laughed, and sniffled.

Simon pulled back. “You’re crying? What’s wrong? I’m so sorry. I have something for you.”

“I’m relieved.” I wiped my eyes. “So, so relieved you’re here.”

“You’re making it too easy,” Evan faux whispered. “Let him grovel.”

I laughed. Evan wrapped his arms around my waist, and I leaned back into him.

Jerrick handed Simon the bag. “We showed up at the resort and they told us you were here.”

“Like a bunch of stalkers. Nice.”

Evan pinched my side. “We’re hunting you down.”

The thought sent heat straight to my core, and the burst of peaches and orange from my perfume did nothing to hide that.

Simon cleared his throat and opened the bag. “First, paperwork.”

“I’ll sign a prenup. But I already wrote a contract out saying I had no interest in your money.” I smirked. “I might have added some clauses about your body though.”

“Trash it.” Simon handed me a thick ream of paper. “I opened a savings fund for you. Now no one can say you’re scheming for my money. You already have it.”

I shook my head. “I don’t want it.”

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