Page 58 of Chasing Stars
“Point taken,” I acquiesce.
“Mom told me. She tells me everything.” He grins, proud of himself in that obnoxious younger brother way.
“Well. Jenna told me her dad died on the beach. I assumed he drowned. But tonight, she told me he had a heart attack.” I sigh. “It might all be a crazy coincidence but…”
“Oh. So, you don’t know for sure then,” Nate says, frowning.
“I mean…how many people do you think had a heart attack on Cove Beach?” I narrow my eyes.
“Itisweird,” Nate admits.
Just then, the girl calls my name. I step up and pay while Nate waits. We walk out together, both of us mulling over this new information.
“Just…don’t say anything until I figure it out, okay?” I say. “I’m asking you as your brother.”
“Fine.” Nate sighs as he starts walking toward his car. “You just drop a bomb on me before I go see Mom and Dad and expect me to keep it a secret?” he grumbles.
“Yes,” I say firmly. “Please.”
“Okay,” Nate says, opening his car door. “I gotta go. This food is probably cold by now.”
“Later,” I call after him, giving him a wave.
I have to go back for the guacamole.
When I walkthrough the door, Jenna’s curled up on the sofa with Pete beside her, both of them wrapped in a blanket, perfectly content—like this is exactly where they’re meant to be.The only thing missing is me.
“Hi. You’re back.” Jenna smiles warmly at me. “I missed you.”
I put the bag down and walk over to the back of the couch, leaning down to kiss her. “I ran into Nate. We were just catching up on the weekend,” I say. “Sorry.”
“It’s okay. Pete and I were just making ourselves at home. Well, I guessPeteis already at home.” She wrinkles her nose, embarrassed maybe.
I lean down and brush my nose against hers, pressing my forehead to hers. “So are you,” I whisper, kissing her again.
Tell her.My conscience urges.
Not yet.
29
JENNA
Miles and I fall into a steady rhythm that feels unbelievably natural, considering I have only known him a little over a month. Trauma Bangs Jenna would be suspicious, but this new Jenna feels too comfortable to be anything but blissfully naive. The weeks slip by almost without me noticing. Mornings blend into evenings, sun-warmed afternoons giving way to cooler nights.
I don’t have work until Wednesday this week, so on Monday, when Miles leaves for work, I take Pete for a long walk along the beach. I throw his ball for him, and he zooms back to me, happy as a lark. He is probably as thrilled to have the company as I am.
On Tuesday morning, we sip coffee in the kitchen before he leaves. “I used to bring Pete to the office with me, but when I left for meetings, he started getting into trouble. So, I had to start leaving him home again. I’m sure he’s enjoying all the attention you’re giving him,” Miles says, pouring coffee into a travel mug.
“Well, it turns out I am enjoying his company too,” I say, leaning on the counter and smiling up at Miles. I’m not just talking about Pete.
“Want to come see me for lunch?” Miles asks hopefully. The past two nights we’ve eaten dinner on his couch in front ofFriendsreruns that he swears he puts on just for me, even though we’re both cackling. Then, once we wash the dishes and Miles takes Pete for a walk, we fall into bed and make love before drifting off, our limbs intertwined. We stay that way most of the night, and each morning, I wake up to his breath on my neck. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced, and I am fully aware I could end up with a broken heart.
“Maybe…” I drag out the word, playing coy. “I was going to stop by the house and see if Danny has made any progress.”
“I’ll meet you there around noon?” Miles suggests. The way he’s looking at me is so comfortably familiar that I almost think I’m imagining it. You always hear those stories about people who say theyjust knewthe person was the one. I don’t know what that feels like—hell, I haven’t been in a relationship since the last guy cheated on me. But I am kind of wondering if that’s what this is? A comfort, a stillness, that envelops you when you’re with the right person. Nothing else in the world matters—not a caved-in roof, a ruined foundation, a lost job—because you have this person by your side to help get you through the hard stuff. I bask in the feeling until rationality takes over, reminding me that I don’treallyknow Miles that well yet, as much as it feels that way.
“Jenna?” Miles breaks my thoughts. “You good? I lost you for a minute.”
