Page 113 of Unexpected Forever
“Hell yeah, I want to meet them.”
To my relief, the tense silence between us fades as we chat about the team, and before I know it, we’re exiting off the highway and I smell the briny air that means we’re close to the sea.
A sign welcomes us to Cape Sands before we cruise down Main Street. The buildings are made of stucco and brick, and palm trees line the side of the road. People mill around on the sidewalks enjoying the various shops and their offerings.
“This is what I imagine Madison Ridge would look like if it were by the ocean,” I say, peering out the windshield. “Oh! What a cute inn! My aunt Lindsey would have a fit.”
“The Lost Souls Inn. It’s historical and apparently has a colorful history.”
“Intriguing name.” I turn my head toward him. “Is it haunted?”
“That’s the rumor.”
I take my phone out and take a picture of the Italianate-style house as we drive by slowly. “Even better.”
The wide two-lane road of the small town becomes a mix of houses and high-rise condos before narrowing into a two-lane road with more private and larger homes.
Nate slows down at a wide, gated driveway at the end of the road. He hits a button on the control panel of the vehicle, and the gate opens slowly inward. All I see are low, thick trees mixed with palm trees, obscuring the view of the house and the driveway leading up to it.
I lean forward and look around. “Where’s the house? I thought we were close to the ocean.”
“We’re actually at the tip of the barrier island.”
“Oh.” I pause, processing. “You own all of this land?”
“Yep.”
“I guess it would be good to keep paparazzi at bay.”
He turns his head and grins. “Exactly.”
Seconds later, the trees drop away and the large, modern beach house gleams in front of us. My eyes widen. “Holy shit. What a house.”
He parks and leans across the console, kissing me hard and quick. “Come on, I’ll show you around.”
I look around at the lush landscape surrounding the large, white contemporary house. The warm breeze dances along my skin, and the sound of waves crashing fills the air.
It’s paradise.
Inside, the house is just as impressive.
“Welcome to my humble abode.”
I stop my midspin perusal of the high ceiling and give him the side-eye. “Yeah, it’s a real dump.”
He laughs and takes my hand, drawing me to the back of the house.
My jaw hits the floor at the view in front of me.
The back wall is made up of sliders opening to a wraparound deck overlooking the vast dark blue of the sea. The furniture is beige but looks comfy with pops of burnt-oranges, grays, and navy blues.
It truly belongs in a magazine.
I wander into the open kitchen, running a hand on the concrete countertop of the island. “Wow, Nate. You live here?”
“When I’m not traveling.”
“It’s beautiful. Pristine.” I gesture to the cabinetry. “I love the walnut fronts of the cabinets. Very midcentury modern vibe.”
