Page 22 of Beginnings By the Sea

“I never should’ve told you,” I said, trying not to sound as panicked as I felt. “It’s not like that.”

Autumn gave me a knowing smirk as she crossed her arms over her chest and took a few steps closer to my desk. “I would’ve found out eventually. This town is too small for secrets like that—especially when it involves one of our town doctors.”

“Great,” I grumbled, reaching for my cell.

“Plus,” she said, coming over to stand in front of my desk, “if you go out in public with Miles, people will see you and ask questions. The only way to avoid it is to go to another city where no one knows you.”

I shook my head and waved her off so she’d think it wasn’t a big deal when actually it was. I didn’t want people talking about my love life; everyone knew I was seeing Cohen. He was known as the savior of the town ever since he rescued Freddy’s Surf Shop from going under.

“I’ll think of something.” I ended up saying.

I checked my phone, but there were no messages from Miles. I knew he’d spent the day on Jensen’s boat with his friends. However, there were a few messages from Cohen saying he hoped I was having a good day and that he couldn’t wait to get home. I slid my phone into my purse.

“All right, let’s get out of here. Has Gina locked up the front?”

Autumn nodded. “Yep. We’re all set to go. She wanted me to tell you to have fun tonight.”

Rolling my eyes, I slung my purse over my shoulder. “You two are going to drive me insane.”

Autumn snickered and disappeared down the hall to the break room. “You love us, though,” she shouted. “I’m just ready to get my new refrigerator!”

“I bet,” I hollered back.

After shutting off my office lights, I walked down the hall toward the back door with Autumn right behind me. When I opened the door to let Autumn out, my mouth dropped open when I noticed our cars weren’t the only ones in the parking lot. Parked beside mine was the midnight blue 4Runner Miles had driven off in last night. He was in the front seat and opened the door when he saw us. So many emotions whirled inside of me at the sight of him. There was no denying the regret that plagued me, but something else overshadowed that . . . joy. It brought me comfort to see him.

What did that mean? I had no clue.

Autumn grabbed my arm, her excitement palpable. “Is that your ex-husband?”

Miles waved and smiled at us, his face and arms already tanned from spending the day out in the sun. Even his dirty blond hair appeared brighter. Maybe it was the yellow T-shirt he was wearing that made him appear as if he was glowing in the sunlight.

I smiled at Miles but spoke through my teeth to Autumn. “It is,” I answered her. “You better be on your best behavior.”

Autumn snorted and winked at me. “Aren’t I always?” We walked down the stairs from back porch and she bumped me with her elbow. “He is so much hotter than Cohen,” she whispered.

Miles did have that rugged air about him that Cohen didn’t. Again, they were two totally different men. Autumn picked up her pace so she could get to Miles first.

She held out her hand and smiled. “Hi, Miles. I’m Autumn,” she said, introducing herself. “I work for Dr. Clark.”

Miles grinned wider and shook her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Autumn.”

Autumn beamed over at me quickly before focusing back on him. “Same.” She let his hand go and walked backward toward her car. “I should probably get going. You two have a good night.” She waved and got in her car, winking at me before pulling away.

“She seems like she’d be fun to work with,” Miles said, laughing.

I snorted in response. “You have no idea. But I wouldn’t trade her in for anyone else.”

His smile as he gazed past me toward my office warmed my heart. “This place is all you, Nyla. It suits you.”

“It does,” I agreed, taking in the bright green building that I’d grown to love so much.

“Was it a slow day?” he asked, his gaze slowly meeting mine again.

I shrugged noncommittally. “Yes and no. Things don’t usually get too crazy here. I keep waiting for someone to come in with a shark bite, but it hasn’t happened yet. The only serious case I had today was a teenage boy who got stung by a dozen bees. His parents rushed him in just as his throat started to close up. Once I gave him the EpiPen, he could breathe again.”

I could still feel the rush of adrenaline from that moment. The look of terror on the parents’ faces was something I would never forget. I didn’t have children, but I could only imagine how scared the parents were.

Miles blew out a relieved sigh. “Thank God, the boy’s okay.”

---