Page 30 of Beginnings By the Sea

The line went silent for a second, but then Cohen cleared his throat before speaking again, only this time his voice was more guarded.

“How did it go? Did you get the closure you wanted?”

I bit my lip so hard it hurt. “Not exactly.”

Cohen huffed. “I was right, wasn’t I? He wants you back.”

The tightness in my chest spread through me.

“He does,” I confessed.

Cohen huffed again and I could feel his frustration radiating through the line. “What are you going to do, Nyla? Do you want to be with him?”

I sat down in the sand, my stomach turning into knots. They grew tighter with every passing second as I weighed my options.

“I don’t know, Cohen. I care about you both. You and I have had an amazing month together and I can’t just let that go.”

Maybe Everleigh was right; I needed to spend time with both Miles and Cohen to see what was truly there. Was I simply clinging to the past I had with Miles? I never doubted his love for me. With Cohen, I had no clue where our relationship could lead. He was an intense man and made it known at every turn that I was his number one focus. I wasn’t used to the attention he gave me, but I completely loved it. However, the problem was that I knew Miles would’ve been the same way if I had let him. And knowing that made the situation I found myself in even harder.

“Why don’t you come to New York,” Cohen insisted, his voice cutting through the silence. “You need to get away from there. Besides, my parents want to meet you. I can send my private jet to come get you, and we’ll be back by Saturday morning before the Spring Fling.”

His words caught me off guard. I opened my mouth to speak but then closed it. The only problem with going to New York was that the paparazzi would undoubtedly see me with him. Then, my life would be in the public eye which was what I still didn’t want. Judging by the new pictures of Cohen circulating online, the paps were right on his tail the first second he showed his face in the city.

“I’m not ready for that, Cohen. Although, I am impressed about the private jet. I’ve never been on one before.”

I tried to make light of the situation, but it didn’t sound like it worked.

“So, I’m going to be sitting here while your ex makes all the moves to get you back?”

My stomach clenched even harder. “I understand it’s an awkward situation,” I muttered. “I wish I had answers, but I don’t know what to do.” I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “If this is too much, I’ll understand if you don’t want to be around me anymore. You didn’t ask for any of this.”

Cohen snorted. “You seriously think I’m going to let you go that easily? You’ve been mine for the past month. I’ve never been happier. I can’t just let someone come in and take that away.”

I knew he wouldn’t give up. However, a part of me wished he would. I had a feeling Miles and Cohen were going to be relentless.

“Well, be prepared,” I warned. “You’re not the only one who will be bidding for me at the Spring Fling.”

Cohen chuckled, but there was nothing humorous sounding about it. “Good. It’s about time I talked with your ex-husband,” he growled.

Dread settled into the pit of my stomach. I could only imagine what that conversation was going to be like.

“Great,” I replied, my words dripping with sarcasm. “I can’t wait.”

14

MILES

The morning came all too slowly and the whole pot of coffee did nothing good for my nerves. I didn’t want to leave Nyla last night, not with so many things left unsaid, but I couldn’t bombard her all at once. Unfortunately, sleep did not come so easily. All I could think about was her in the arms of another man. After I left, did she go and see the other guy? I knew there was a chance she would be involved with someone else, but I was going to do anything and everything I could to get her back. Now that I was here in Oak Island, I couldn’t leave without knowing she was mine.

“Dude, did you sleep at all?” Luke asked, yawning as he walked into the living room.

His face was sunburnt from being out on the boat all day from our deep-sea fishing adventure. I finished my last cup of coffee and set the empty mug in the sink.

“Not really,” I said, joining him in the living room.

I walked over to the window and peered out at the ocean. The sky was overcast and gray, the exact replica of my mood. I glanced over at Luke, who stared at me with concern.

“Why don’t you just text her? There’s no point in wondering what’s going on in her mind. Just ask her.”

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