Page 7 of A Shore Fling
“Please explain to my clueless brother why he’s a bad option. And while you’re at it, maybe you can make him understand that I should be able to pick out my spouse.”
Kristin leans in for a brief hug. “I’ll talk to him.”
“Thank you.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to head back inside with us?” Jonathon asks.
“I’m positive. I’m going home. See you Monday.”
“Enjoy your weekend,” Kristin says.
“You too.” I give a quick wave of my hand as I head toward the exit.
I shovel more Chinese food into my mouth. With every bite, I feel a little calmer. I’m still annoyed and disappointed with my dad, but coming home early and getting out of that dress and heels helped.
Picking up my phone, I log on to social media and scroll through my feed while I eat. I see former classmates who are married and have children. I thought I’d be in a similar situation by now, but Mr. Right hasn’t come knocking on my door. God knows, I certainly haven’t allowed him to meet me anywhere else.
I watch a few funny reels and then scroll through a bunch more before one catches my attention.
ARE YOU TIRED OF THE CORPORATE JUNGLE?
Yes, I am.
DO YOU NEED A BREAK?
Why, yes, I do.
YOU COULD BE RELAXING ON THE SAND OR FROLICKING IN THE OCEAN AS EARLY AS TOMORROW.
Tomorrow? That’s fast.
LET US FIND THE PERFECT BEACH RENTAL FOR YOU.
Yes, please.
Dropping my fork on my plate, I quickly take a screenshot of their website information. I saw this reel for a reason. The algorithm may know me better than I realize. I imagine it tracking all the dog reels and funny reels I watch and then concluding that I need an extended vacation.
“What if you take a break for your emotional well-being? How can Dad refuse that?”Irene’s suggestion comes back to me.
He’d probably still say no… but he can’t if I don’t give him the opportunity. Although unexpectedly taking time off would be wrong on so many levels. But in my defense, I haven’t had a vacation in ten years, and even on the weekends, there’s always something work-related for me to attend—like tonight.Ugh, the gala.Leaving early was out of character for me. Typically, I suck up all the misery with a smile on my face and tuck it in a little box inside me. But Dad’s words angered me too much.
“I’ve already spoken to him and implied I’m expecting an engagement by the end of the summer.”
And it’s already the middle of July. Thoughts dart around in my head until I come to the perfect conclusion.I can’t get engaged if I’m out of town and no one knows where I am.
I look at the screenshot I took and then pull up the website. Ten minutes later, I’ve successfully booked a beach house rental in Maine, and my flight leaves in the morning.
CHAPTER 3
NINA
It’s almost noon when the Uber drops me at Havenport’s harbor. According to the instructions I received from the rental agency, there’s a boat parked in a slip for me to take to the house. The keys are in the harbormaster’s office.
I sling the strap of one bag over one shoulder, my tote over the other, and roll my suitcase along the pavement as I head toward the small white building. Turning the knob, I push open the door, and find a bespectacled man seated behind a desk.
He smiles at me. “Hello. How can I help you?”
“Hi. I’m Nina Moreau. I’m renting a house for the rest of July and August.”
