Page 5 of Beginnings By the Sea

Cohen stepped out of the way and nodded. “I’d like that. Hopefully, I’ll see you around town.”

I shrugged. “It’s possible.”

Pulse racing, I walked past him, trying not to grin like an idiot as I returned to Everleigh. She stood and handed me my purse, her eyes flicking back and forth from me to Cohen, who sat down at the bar.

“He is charming,” Everleigh whispered. “I recognize him from an article in our town’s paper the other day.”

My mouth gaped and I blinked in surprise. “What? What for?”

She snickered. “He’s a local hero. Why do you think I was waving for you to talk to him?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know . . . because he’s hot?”

Everleigh rolled her eyes. “Well, yes, there’s that, but he’s also a big-time businessman savvy with his money. He just bought out Freddy’s Surf Shop and saved the Absher family from going bankrupt. The wintertime hit Freddy hard, and he couldn’t recoup.” She nodded over at Cohen. “This guy restructured everything, and now Freddy’s shop has had triple sales this week alone. Granted, he had to sell, but Freddy can buy everything back when the store starts bringing in more money. It’s a win-win if it works out.”

I was impressed.

My gaze drifted over to Cohen, watching him talk amiably with Debbie as if they were lifelong friends. At least I knew something good about the newcomer.

“Are you ready to get some cake pops?” Everleigh asked.

Grinning, I turned to her. “Yep, let’s go.”

As we exited the restaurant and into the warm evening air, excitement bubbled inside me like champagne fizzing in a flute.

Would I see Cohen again?

God, I hoped so.

3

NYLA

It was a typical Monday at the office; nothing exciting happened except for a patient who pulled a muscle in his back as a result of trying to be adventurous with his wife. The man held nothing back, and it took all I had to keep a straight face the entire time he explained his story. Seeing older couples trying to keep the passion in their marriage was nice. Unfortunately, that was something I failed at. My ex-husband and I had the passion; I just didn’t have the time.

“Someone’s deep in thought,” Autumn teased, her voice pulling me back to the here and now.

Grinning, I grabbed my purse from the bottom drawer on my desk and looked over at her standing in my office doorway. She’d already taken down her blonde hair and changed out of her scrubs into jeans and a light pink T-shirt.

Her smile broadened. “I still can’t believe you didn’t burst out laughing today while talking to Mr. Sheffield.”

I raised my brows. “And I can’t believe you were by the door listening the entire time.”

Autumn held a hand over her mouth and laughed. “I couldn’t help it. That man and his wife are seriously kinky. It’s not every day we get something like that in our office. I want to be like them when I get old.”

Shaking my head, I chuckled and slung my purse strap over my shoulder. “I’m sure you will. You just need to find a guy with the same kind of energy you have, someone who can keep up with you.” I walked up to her. “With how outgoing and beautiful you are, I’m surprised you didn’t go into acting. I could definitely see you being in movies.”

Autumn’s eyes lit up. “Trust me, I would’ve loved to have done something like that. Drama class was my favorite in high school; I starred in all the plays.” Her smile faded slightly. “But unfortunately, getting noticed by talent agents isn’t easy in a small town, and I didn’t have the money to move to California.”

I draped an arm around her shoulders as we walked down the hallway toward the back door. “If you had, I never would’ve met you. I’m sorry, but I’m happy you’re working for me.”

Autumn bumped me with her hip. “So am I. I love being a nurse.”

I opened the back door for her, and she walked out. I was going to follow her, but couldn’t find my cell in my purse when I reached in for it. Autumn waited for me, but I waved for her to go.

“I think I left my phone in the office. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Autumn waved and opened the door to her silver Honda Accord. “See ya! Have a good night!”

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