Page 28 of Hide Away By the Sea

When I pulled up at Everleigh’s, her car was in the driveway. It was early, but I knew she’d be awake. I looked over at my parents’ house and my mother was by the window, drinking her coffee. She smiled and waved but then pointed at the back deck of Everleigh’s house. I had no doubt she was there, drinking a cup of coffee while taking in the view of the sea. It was what her grandmother did every morning; sometimes, I even joined her.

I started up the stairs, but then I heard her footsteps shuffling toward the door and the sound of it slamming.

Seriously, Everleigh?

Of course, when I turned the corner to the back deck, Everleigh was nowhere in sight. I knocked on the glass door and peered inside, but she wasn’t there.

“Everleigh,” I called out, waiting for her to appear around the hallway corner. “Everleigh, we need to talk. I came here to apologize. I never actually did that last night.”

With her arms crossed over her chest, she walked out of the hallway and into the living room, dressed in short pink pajama shorts and a tank top; she was so damn beautiful. Her long, caramel-blonde hair hung loose down her back, but some strands were tangled around her face like vines.

“You said it!” she shouted, waving me off. “Now, will you please go? I have plans today, and they don’t involve you.”

That made me smile. I held up my hands in defeat. “All I want is to talk to you. If you come outside, it’ll only take a minute.”

She shook her head, her lips pursed in defiance. “Not going to happen.”

I shrugged, an easy smile on my face. “No worries. I’ll just sit out here all day if I have to.”

Everleigh disappeared back down the hall, and I sat in Rachel’s red rocking chair, already regretting my decision. Everleigh was the most stubborn woman I knew—no matter how long I sat on the deck, she wasn’t going to give in. I propped my feet up on the deck railing and gazed out at the ocean-blue horizon.

“When are you going to sell me this place?” I shouted, knowing Everleigh could hear me.

I was surprised when she responded with a sharp retort, her voice muffled by the walls between us.

“Not going to happen now! You don’t deserve it!”

A laugh escaped my lips and sure enough, I heard her thunderous footsteps coming closer. Then, through the glass door, I saw her appear, hands on her hips, and with a fiery expression that I’d always found endearing about her.

“I mean it!” she challenged. “You are the last person I’d ever sell this house to!”

I smiled wider, undeterred by her words. “Whatever you say, Everleigh.”

She rolled her eyes and gestured for me to leave with a wave of her hand before disappearing again into the hallway.

Chuckling softly, I focused back on the sea. It may not be today, but I was going to wear Everleigh down.

* * *

A few hours passed,and Everleigh still hadn’t made an appearance. Suddenly, a light tapping sound came from the stairs, and I looked to see my mother emerge around the corner of the house. She had a white plate in her hands with a neatly cut ham sandwich, chips, and a water bottle. She smiled softly as she handed it to me, and I could see the amusement sparkling in her eyes. Her dark brown curls blew in her face from the wind, so she shook her head until they moved out of the way.

“I thought you might be hungry,” she said casually. “I take it you two haven’t talked since spilling your guts last night?”

I laughed, taking a bite out of the sandwich. “Nope. And now I told her I’m not leaving until she talks to me. I didn’t exactly think this through, did I?”

She sat down on the other rocking chair with a chuckle. “I would say not.” She pointed to the inside of the house. “It doesn’t look like Everleigh’s going to come out anytime soon.”

I shrugged before taking another bite of the sandwich. “And I knew she wouldn’t. It’s just hard to give in.”

My mother patted my arm gently. “You two were always so competitive. It used to make me and your dad laugh.” A giggle escaped her lips. “I’ll never forget the time you face-planted in the sand after she tripped you during the Fourth of July race.”

I rubbed my jaw, remembering how it hurt like hell. “That was no fun.”

She giggled again before standing up and brushing off her skirt. “Well, I hate to tell you this, but you’ll have to let Everleigh win this one. Your dad and I need your help moving some things around in the house.”

I looked up at her. “I’ll be right there.”

She waved me off. “Take your time. We’ll see you in a few.”

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