Page 76 of Begin Again
“Sure,” I say, a bottomless pit forming in my stomach. The thought of going to visit Brina in the hospital makes me sick, but I know it’s the right thing to do. “Yeah, Kai. I’ll go with you.”
Maybe it sounds terrible, but at least talking about my dying mother helps take my mind off a certain sheriff.
“It was nice to see Beau tonight,” he says.
There goes that sentiment.
I avoid making eye contact with my brother, and now it’s my turn to pick at an invisible speck on the counter.
“I guess I didn’t realize how close he and Elena were.”
I shrug. “He’s been nice to her through this whole thing.”
“I think it’s a little more than that.”
“Kai—”
“Nina, if he makes you happy, why not—”
“Because I’m not ready,” I snap, finally looking up at him. “I’m not…” I sigh. “I’m not looking for anything right now. I’m still trying to navigate this new life without Nick and it’s not…It hasn’t been easy, but having Beau’s help has made it a little easier.”
“You like him?” My brother asks.
“Non posso.”
“How do you not know?” Kai lifts my chin so I’m forced to look at him. “Nina, it’s okay to admit you like him. It doesn’t mean you love Nick any less.”
Tears flood my eyes, and when I try to pull away from him, he doesn’t let me.
“I’m selling the house,” I say without thinking. “I’m—I’m moving back to New York.”
“Oh.” Kai drops his hold on my face and chews on the inside of his cheek. “Yeah, I guess that does change things. Does Beau know?”
I shake my head. “Not yet. I just…I just decided a few days ago. I’m supposed to meet with a realtor next week.”
“And what if you tell him and he says he wants you to stay?”
“Non lo farà.”I scoff.He won’t.
“Sure he would, if he thought it would change your mind.” Kai shrugs. “What if he asks to come with you to New York?”
This time, I laugh. What is he smoking? My brother is delusional if he thinks Beau Turner would ever pack up and leave Haven for New York. This is his home, this is where his life is. He’s the sheriff for godsakes.“Ora stai delirando.”
“I am not. From what I saw tonight...I think anything is possible.”
“Stai zitto,Kai. Just shut up.”
My brother raises his hands in surrender. “All I’m saying is he’s not a bad option.”
“I’m not looking for anoptionright now, Kai.”
“What are we talking about?” Elizabeth asks, joining us from the hallway after putting her daughter, Nova, to bed.
“Nina and Beau,” Kai says, taking an apple from the fruit bowl on the counter.
“Oh my…Stai zitto!” I hiss at my brother, swiping at him across the island. Kai dodges the swings, laughing the whole time.
He needs to shut up, right now.
