Page 29 of Beginnings By the Sea

He disappeared inside and I turned my attention to Everleigh, who was waving her hands impatiently.

“I need to know what happened,” she demanded. “Tell me everything!”

In between deep breaths, I recounted how Miles knew where I was and deliberately planned his work and Luke’s bachelor weekend here on purpose. Everleigh squealed with delight, as if this was the most exciting news she had heard.

“So, he wants you back?” I nodded hesitantly and she reached over, squeezing my arm gently in support. “Oh wow, this is wild. What are you going to do? I know how much you loved Miles. I mean, you worked hellish hours at the hospital to get your mind off him.”

And did it work? No.

I thought focusing on something else would help me forget about him. Her eyes were full of sympathy as I leaned my head against the rocking chair and looked up at the stars.

“I don’t know what to do,” I whispered softly. “I love Miles, but what if our failed marriage was where it was supposed to end?”

Everleigh scoffed and I jerked my attention to her. “Do you really believe that?” she asked, staring at me with raised brows.

I shook my head and averted my gaze back to the sky. I had never believed it. After our divorce, I knew I would’ve been happy if I’d just given Miles and our marriage the attention they deserved.

“No,” I confessed. “I’m not going to lie; I thought my heart was going to leap out of my chest when Miles told me he wanted me back.”

“Shouldn’t that be the answer you’re looking for?”

I turned to Everleigh and sighed. “It should be, but what about Cohen? We haven’t been together long, but I can’t just throw away the last month as if it didn’t exist.”

Everleigh nodded in agreement. “You’re right. That wouldn’t be fair to Cohen.” A spark of mischief twinkled in her eyes. “There’s only one option then.”

My stomach dropped and I groaned; I already knew what she was going to say. “What?” I asked.

Her lips pulled back into a sly grin. “Go out with both men and see what’s there. They might not like it, but it’s what you’ll have to do.”

Yep, that was exactly what I knew would come out of her mouth.

“It was already hard enough telling both men about the other,” I said, rubbing my aching chest. The weight of it all felt like it was crushing me. “Imagine what it’s going to be like now.”

Everleigh chuckled and squeezed my hand reassuringly. “I’m so glad I’m not in your shoes.”

“Gee, thanks,” I replied sarcastically.

My phone started to ring, and my heart stopped. Everleigh bit her lip and leaned forward. “Is it Cohen?” she asked.

Slowly, I reached into my back pocket and pulled out my phone, seeing Cohen’s name on the screen. “It is.”

Everleigh shifted in her rocking chair and groaned as she tried to stand. I clutched her arm and helped her up, knowing it couldn’t be easy moving around with being in the third trimester.

“Thank you,” she said, sounding breathless. “I’m going inside so you can talk to Cohen in private.”

Once she walked in, I took a deep breath and accepted the call. “Hey,” I answered, trying to keep from sounding like I haven’t been in turmoil for the past few hours. “How are you?” I asked him.

“Good. It was a busy day at the office, but things are wrapping up. I hope to be out of here tomorrow afternoon at the latest.”

I walked down the side stairs to the wooden walkway to the beach. “That’s good,” I said, kicking off my sandals once I got to the sand. The waves crashing against the shore grew louder the closer I got to the water.

“Where are you?” Cohen wondered.

My house was on the sound side of the island where the water was calmer. I glanced back at Everleigh and Jensen’s blue cottage. “I’m at Everleigh and Jensen’s.”

“Oh, I didn’t know you were going there tonight. I thought you were going to be with . . .” His voice trailed off and I sighed, already knowing what he was getting at.

“I was,” I replied softly, a lump forming in my throat. “After we talked, I wanted to see Everleigh.”

---