Page 18 of Beginnings By the Sea

Turning on my heel, I took a step toward the driver’s side of my Jeep, but Miles grabbed my wrist, halting me. “Nyla, wait.”

Swallowing hard, I reluctantly turned around and looked into his eyes again. “I want to see you again,” he said hesitantly. “What are you doing tomorrow night? I thought maybe we could catch up after the guys and I get done deep-sea fishing.”

The word yes was on the tip of my tongue, but I knew it would only lead to more pain in the end. Being around him again was intoxicating, but it was also dangerous. I needed to find peace, not torture myself with what once was.

“I’m sorry,” I answered, watching his smile fade with my words, “but I have plans tomorrow to grab dinner with one of my nurses at the office.”

And just then, my phone beeped with an incoming text. I could see the light on the screen shining in my purse, so I pulled my cell out quickly to see who it was. It just so happened that it was Autumn.

Autumn: Hey, doc. Wanted to give you a heads up! Can’t do dinner tomorrow after work. My new fridge is being delivered!

“Is everything okay?” Miles questioned.

I dropped my phone back into my purse. Was it a sign from the universe? I had to admit it was perfect timing. With Autumn canceling our dinner plans, it meant I was now free tomorrow night.

“That was a text from my nurse, Autumn,” I said, wondering if I was about to make the right decision or the worse one possible. “Our dinner plans tomorrow got canceled.”

Miles lifted his brows in surprise. “Which means you’re free?”

I nodded nervously, not quite ready for the conversation to move forward but unable to deny the hope that was suddenly soaring through me. His grin widened as he stepped closer to me.

“Good. I’ll get in touch with you tomorrow afternoon, and we can figure things out from there.”

His hand slid from my wrist, leaving behind the warmth of his touch and sending a jolt of electricity up my arm, before turning and walking away. What did I just agree to?

I hopped in my Jeep and Miles glanced over at me once more before getting behind the wheel of the 4Runner and driving off. Once he was out of sight, I frantically pulled my phone from its depths in my purse and pressed the speed dial for Everleigh. My heart pounded uncontrollably as she answered on the second ring.

“Hey,” she said. “You’re not upset about us canceling the surfing lessons tomorrow, right?”

An exasperated laugh escaped me before I could answer. “Oh, Everleigh, that’s the least of my worries right now.”

She gasped. “Uh-oh. What happened?”

I leaned my head against the seat. “You will never guess who I just ran into?”

Everleigh giggled. “Let me see . . . Maddox Ledger from the Charlotte Strikers?”

I scoffed. “I wish. That man is hot as sin. But no, not him.”

“I have no clue,” Everleigh laughed. “Just tell me.”

I sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “My ex-husband.”

She gasped so loud it hurt my ear. “You can’t be serious. What is he doing here? Was it him you saw a few weeks ago?”

I huffed. “He’s here for a bachelor weekend, as well as work. And no, it wasn’t him I saw. That was all my imagination.”

“This is insane, Nyla,” Everleigh proclaimed. “And crazy timing, especially since you just started dating again after all this time.”

Closing my eyes, I rested my forehead on the steering wheel. “Exactly. I swear my life needs to be made into a soap opera.”

“You’re damn right about that one. Are you going to see Miles again?”

I tried not to allow myself to feel the excitement swirling through my body, but it was hard. However, there was a bit of guilt plaguing me at the thought of spending time with my ex-husband while in a relationship with someone else.

“I am,” I confessed, lifting my head. “We’re going to see each other tomorrow after your husband takes him out on a deep-sea fishing adventure.”

“What?” she shouted. “This is even crazier. What a small world. Are you going to tell Cohen about spending time with your ex-husband?”

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