Page 32 of Sunrise

"Oh, thank god." She sighs and digs in.

The food is delicious, and it almost makes me hate the guy a bit more because he knows what he's doing, and you can't hate him for that even if I'm not happy with how he treated Lin.

"Want to get dessert?" I ask.

"Actually, yes, but not here. There is a bakery down the way that would be perfect. We can grab something, then go sit on the pier and watch the night fishermen. It was one of my favorite things to do with my dad growing up." Her smile is a bit wobbly, but she keeps it together.

"You sure?" I whisper, and she nods, so I settle the check, leaving a big tip for the server, and we stand to leave.

Everyone's eyes shoot back to us as I take Lin's hand and lead us back out of the restaurant. Nate nods at me, and I nod back. It's nice to know I've earned one person's respect in this town. That means a lot to me. I hope I can win a few more over during my time here.

As the cool salt air hits my face, I take a deep breath.

Freedom.

Chapter 15

Linly

Freedom. We are away from the watchful eyes of half the town. Everyone was there—all the church ladies and of course Dorothy, Ginger, Holly, and Becca. They had the best seat in the house for the entire thing.

I was shocked to see Nate there, but since he was in uniform, my guess is, he figured he should try to keep the peace and keep Kade from being mobbed. I'm glad everyone left him alone. Though I’m sure starting tomorrow, he's fair game for people to get autographs and photos with him.

Hand in hand, we make our way slowly down toward the bakery. And I just start to laugh.

"I reckon that's how a zoo animal feels, huh?" I ask, remembering what my mom said it felt like after my father proposed and everyone was watching her everywhere she went and reporting on every little wedding detail.

"I would say so. At least back in LA, they don't make it so obvious they’re watching you." Kade smiles.

"Oh, Seaview has no shame whatsoever. They want you to know they know," I say and check out the store windows as we walk by.

"At least I'm sure we accomplished what we set out to. Everyone was there and many people I didn't expect. Poor Nate was there for crowd control. Thank goodness we didn't need it." I shake my head.

"Hey, I could think of worse ways to spend an evening shift than at a nice restaurant," Kade says. Then he lowers his voice. "We don't have to go to the pier, Lin. I want you to be comfortable."

I smile. "Thanks, but the pier is still someplace I like to go. Lots of good memories, and it's the closest I get to the water nowadays."

"What do you mean?"

I take a deep breath and make my confession. "I haven't been back in the water since my parents died."

Kade stops and looks at me. "You haven't been swimming in five years?"

"Oh, I go in the pool and swim all the time. It's the best way to cool off in the summer. The Sunset has a nice one that Sunrise guests get to use, but I haven't been back into the ocean. Something about the same water that killed my parents. I know how the ocean cycles and all, but my mind says it's the same water that touched my parents' dead bodies, and I can't move past that," I admit. Brynn agrees with me, but most people don't understand.

"I get that. Everyone's fears are caused by some chain event, so it's only natural," he says.

"Oh, Mr. Hollywood, what are your fears?" I ask him.

He smiles. "Chainsaws. The sound of them, I hate it. In that horror movie I did, they had to get right up near my face, and all I could think was one small misstep and a chainsaw was slicing off my face. I also fear stalkers. Thankfully, I've never had any super crazy ones, but I've seen a few other guys have them. The girls really get psycho ones. For that reason, I've always had high security for my parents and me from the beginning."

Chainsaws and stalkers, what a pair we'd make. "But the big question is, if there is a spider, are you going to kill it for me?" I joke.

"In a heartbeat. Any bug I'll deal with. Mice, rats, and snakes too, you can count on me." He jokes.

At the mention of the last three, I shiver. Thankfully, the bakery is just up ahead, so I can change the subject because it's getting a bit personal.

"This bakery has some of the best donuts and chocolate. But you have to get the hot chocolate it's made with Hershey Kisses, and it’s the best you’ll ever have." I tell him as I drag him into the bakery.

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