Page 46 of Second Chance at Sunshine Inn

They were back on the shore and drying off with their towels. Cade found Everleigh perched on the beach chair. She had removed her sundress, and she was lounging in a modest two-piece pink suit that made the most of her svelte figure. Her floppy hat blocked her face while she studied her phone. Quinn walked over to her, and Everleigh smiled as her friend spoke and pulled a towel over her shoulders.

He’d been disappointed when she didn’t join them in the water. In fact, she’d seemed almost twitchy when he asked her why she didn’t want to swim.

“I’m gonna ask Quinn for her number,” Roger confessed.

Cade nodded at his friend. “Good for you.”

“It’s time for me to get back out there.” He patted Cade’s shoulder. “And you should do the same.”

Cade shook his head. Dating was the least of his worries right now, especially with his career on the line. “Go for it, man.”

“Maybe I haven’t found ‘the one,’ but I’m not giving up. You and I both ought to be grabbing life by the horns and enjoying the ride.”

Cade frowned. Roger made it sound so easy.

“Listen, man,” Roger began, “Serena did you wrong, but not every woman is Serena.”

Cade’s eyes slid back over to Everleigh. For the first time since she’d arrived, he wondered if they might become real friends.

But was she trustworthy? He had pledged his future to Serena, but she had stabbed him in the back. What proof did he have that Everleigh might not do the same thing? After all, she was still bent on selling the inn—a motive so at odds with his own that he could imagine himself getting really, really hurt again.

***

“Hey, Everleigh,” Trevor called, rushing over to her. “I need to head out, but I’m so glad I ran into you today.” He held up his phone. “Would it be okay if I called you?”

She couldn’t stop her eyes from wandering over to where Cade spoke to Roger. “Trevor, you’re a nice guy, but I hope you’re just asking as a friend. I already told you I’m not planning to stay in town.”

Trevor grinned. “I understand. But friends can see each other and go out every once in a while, right?”

“I suppose so.”

“Great.” He pointed to her phone. “What’s your number?”

This guy really wasn’t going to give up, was he? Everleigh smiled despite her annoyance. “I have your card. I’ll call you.”

“If you decide to paint that sunroom, give me a call.”

He reached out to hug her, and she awkwardly patted his back. “See ya,” he said before sauntering up to the boardwalk.

Quinn stood beside her. “If you only met Trevor yesterday, how did he know you were going to be here today?”

“I have no idea,” Everleigh said. “I’m just as surprised as you are. He asked me out yesterday, but I told him I only wanted to be friends.”

“Interesting.” Quinn twirled her sunglasses in her hand. “He seemed really eager.”

“And what about you and Roger?” Everleigh inclined her head closer. “It’s pretty obvious he likes you.”

“Right?” she exclaimed. “I’m hoping he’ll ask for my number. But if he doesn’t, then I’ll ask for his.”

Everleigh beamed. “Good plan!”

Everleigh glanced toward Cade and Roger again and admired Cade’s handsome profile. She was proud she’d gotten him out of thehouse. Then she gave Quinn a hug. “Thanks for inviting me today.” They said their goodbyes, and she started toward the boardwalk.

“Hey, partner!” Cade called out, and she spun toward him. “I’ll see you at home.”

She smiled and gave him a thumbs-up.

***

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