Page 19 of Hide Away By the Sea

JENSEN

As I neared the house, my heart thumped wildly in my chest like a train barreling down the tracks. Thankfully, no other cars were around except for Everleigh’s silver CRV parked near the stairs. Everything about this was so familiar that it felt like time had stopped for me.

There was still the chance that Everleigh won’t even let me in the house or speak to me, for that matter.

Rachel always used the house’s back door as the main entrance, so I walked over to the stairs. Gripping the railing tightly, I took each step slowly, but when Everleigh’s soft cries echoed through the air, my feet froze mid-step. I could see her around the corner just a few yards away from me.

Time seemed to stand still as I stared at her. Her golden-blonde hair was pulled back, but I could tell it was longer than the last time I saw her. She wore black shorts that hugged her toned legs and a teal tank top that perfectly fit her curves. Her arms were crossed over her chest, and her head hung low as if she was deep in thought. Even without seeing her face, something inside me stirred with long-forgotten emotions. I had told myself over the years that if I saw her again, it wouldn’t affect me. What a lie that was. I missed her.

One of the wooden boards creaked and Everleigh gasped, lifting her head and wiping away her tears. I figured she would turn around to see who was with her, but she didn’t.

“I walked into her room today. It felt like she was right there with me.”

I knew she wasn’t expecting me, but I replied anyway. “She’ll always be with you, Everleigh.”

The second she heard my voice, her body tensed. It was as if an electric current buzzed between us, pulling me to move closer. Time moved in slow motion as she turned her head to glance at me over her shoulder. When her hazel-green eyes met mine, all I wanted to do was hold her.

“Jensen,” she breathed, turning to face me.

I stepped closer, my lips pulling back into a smile. “Hello, Everleigh. It’s good to see you again.”

More tears flooded down her cheeks and she laughed. “Liar. I know you hate me.”

I couldn’t take it anymore. I had to go to her.

Closing the distance, I reached out and pulled her into my arms. She clutched me hard, her shoulders shaking as she cried against my chest.

“I could never hate you, Everleigh,” I said softly. It was strange having her in my arms after all these years. But all too soon, she backed away and swiped at her face.

“I’m sorry. The last thing you probably want is me crying all over you.”

I stepped closer, but she kept her head down, almost as if she was too afraid to look at me. “It’s okay. Your grandmother just passed away; it’s perfectly normal to cry. And trust me, I feel the pain of her loss. She was an amazing woman and I loved her dearly.”

She nodded and lifted her watery gaze. “I know you did. She loved you, too.”

Her shoulders rose with an intake of breath, and she turned to the sea, releasing the air slowly from her lungs.

“When did you get in?”

“A little less than an hour ago,” I replied.

Her eyes widened, and she swiveled to face me. “Seriously? You docked and then came right here?”

I gave a noncommittal shrug and propped my elbows on the wooden railing beside her. A small smile curved the corner of my mouth.

“Well, I went home and took a shower first. You know how bad the guys and I smell after being at sea for weeks at a time.”

She nodded with understanding, amusement sparkling in her gaze. “Oh yes, I remember all too well. I’ll never forget when your dad came home from being away, and your mom made him take two showers because he stunk so bad.”

My chest rumbled with laughter as the memories flooded back to me. We were eleven years old and had just finished doing our math homework together at this very spot on the back deck when my dad pulled up at our house next door. The wind had carried his fishy odor all the way to us, and Everleigh’s grandmother had teased him about it for years afterward.

Once our laughter died down, Everleigh focused on me with a guarded expression. “I never thought I’d see you again.”

I nodded in agreement. “I often wondered the same thing.” There was more I wanted to say, but I didn’t want to throw the past up in her face. “How have you been?” I asked her.

She shrugged. “As good as can be expected.” There were so many emotions swirling in her eyes and I couldn’t tell what she was truly feeling. Our time apart had changed her; she’d gotten better at hiding her feelings. When we were younger, I always knew how to read her. Everleigh dropped her gaze to her clasped hands. “I hear McLean Charters is doing better than ever.”

“It is,” I agreed. “My guys and I work our asses off.”

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