Page 38 of Tangled Up

I grab her arm, trying to shush her. “It was nothing like that. Keep your voice down.”

“Nobody knows what we’re talking about.” She takes another sip of beer. “Now I know why you wanted to come out. Give me all the scoop. What was it like, banging your first love after all this time? Does he still know how to ring your bell?”

My cheeks burn hotter.Does he ever. “What I didn’t expect was how easy it was. It was so natural, like riding a bike.”

“Mm-hm. How many trips around the block did you take?”

“Stop. I’m not falling for him again. I know how that story ends, and it sucks for me.”

“Who says the story’s over? He’s still single. You’re single. Rewrite the ending.”

I shake my head. “I’m only here until we find Alize. I have a life in Pensacola. He has a life in Tampa. I’m not going down that road again. He broke my heart, Jess. I’m not strong enough to let it happen again.”

“Who says it’s going to happen again?”

“Nobody says, because it’s not. I won’t let it, and I don’t want to talk about it anymore.”

She inhales deeply, setting her glass down. “Okay, but you’re going to see him when he checks on your aunt. What then?”

“I’ll be friendly and polite. People interact with their exes all the time and nothing comes of it.”

“He’s not just any ex.”

“Yes, he is, and I’m not building him up into anything more. He’s in the past.”

She raises her eyebrows, finishing her beer, and I know she doesn’t believe me.

She’ll see, though. I’m not falling into his arms. I don’t need a man to be happy, and I definitely don’t need one who only makes me cry.

He can do what he needs to do here and go back where he belongs.

* * *

“Why, Beckham Munroe!” Aunt Viv looks at me with wide eyes as Beck steps through the screen door she’s holding for him. “What a surprise! Caroline, did you know Beckham was in town? How long has it been since you were here?”

“Jeez, take a breath,” I mutter into my coffee.

Beck leans forward to kiss her wrinkled cheek. “Good morning, Ms. Vivienne.” His deep voice makes my stomach sizzle, then he turns those ocean eyes on me.

“Good morning, Caroline.” He smiles, conjuring the fantasies I said I wouldn’t let myself have anymore. So much for that.

The pale blue tee he’s wearing makes his eyes glow under his dark brow, and he has a beat-up red ballcap on his head. He’s wearing khaki shorts that show off his fine ass, and his calves are lined leading down to beat up boat shoes.Damn.

My aunt scurries around her kitchen, pouring fresh coffee and plating her raspberry scones like he’s a Hollywood celebrity. “Have you seen Henry?”

“I’ll stop by the clinic after I leave here.”

“You should take Carly with you. She’s been helping her brother all week. Caroline, you’ll walk over to the vet clinic with Beckham, won’t you?”

“I, uh…” I’m racking my brains for something I need to do today. “I’m supposed to check in with Ronnie at the station.”

“Well, you can check in now and walk over with Beckham. All you ever do is text him anyway.”

Thanks, Aunt Viv. I press my lips together. The last thing I need is for Beck to think I’m afraid. Making my voice high and pleasant, I give them a sweet smile.

“Of course, I’ll walk you to the clinic.” Like he doesn’t know how to get there.

He crosses his muscular arms and smiles down at me like he won this round or something, which is so dumb. “Thanks, Carls.”

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