Page 46 of Beginnings By the Sea

“She doesn’t want what you have to give,” I snarled. “If you think she does, then you don’t know her at all.”

Cohen’s lips curved into a smirk, and he ran his hands through his hair. “Believe it or not, she’s changed me. I feel alive when I’m with her. I like who I am around her.”

I rolled my eyes and laughed bitterly. “You’re so full of shit. She hasn’t even seen the real you yet.”

His smirk evaporated, and his eyes ignited with fire as he stepped closer to me. “She has seen me . . . and I’m in love with her. That’s why I’m not giving up on us without a fight.”

I shook my head in disbelief. “She wants to be with me. Just go back to New York and spend your energy on someone else.”

He gave a nonchalant shrug, then headed for the door. “If Nyla decides to be with you, that’s fine by me. But make no mistake—I will still be a part of her life. You just have to get used to it.”

With that, he walked out and left me standing there seething in anger. All these years, we had been competing against each other for our grandparents’ attention, but this was different.

This time it was for Nyla’s love and affection, and I knew Cohen wouldn’t let go without a fight. No matter what happened, I had to stay on top of my game if I wanted any chance of winning.

21

NYLA

“How in the world does this even happen?” Everleigh asked. “The guy you’re seeing is Miles’s cousin? What are the odds of that?”

I scoffed. “Pretty good, apparently. I swear this is the kind of stuff you see in movies, not real life.”

Everleigh chuckled and popped a Hershey’s kiss into her mouth. “Exactly.” She squeezed my arm reassuringly. “But what are you going to do?”

My heart was pounding like wild drumbeats inside my chest, but I kept a smile on my face as more people came by the table to enter the auction.

“I know what my heart wants,” I said, keeping my voice low. “I just didn’t think I would have a family rivalry to add to the mix.”

I thought I was ready to talk to both guys, but I left them in my office. There was so much tension between them that you could cut it with a knife. When we were married, I remember Miles talking about a side of his family that he never got along with, but we never discussed it. I had never met them, not even at family gatherings. It was evident that Cohen was a part of that side.

Everleigh placed a soothing hand on my shoulder. “Try not to worry about everything right now. It’s almost time for the auction draw and you need to look happy.”

I lifted my brows at her. “You don’t think I look happy? Am I exuding miserable vibes?”

She chuckled and shook her head. “No, you look great! Let’s just hope your two men don’t get upset if someone else wins you for the ice cream date.”

Snorting, I tapped a finger against the auction box. “Cohen has three hundred chances in there. I don’t even know how many Miles put in.”

Her lips twitched in amusement as she looked away, but I could still see her smile.

“How many tickets did Miles buy?” I demanded.

Everleigh batted her long eyelashes before snatching another Hershey’s kiss from the silver bowl on the table. She popped it into her mouth and snickered.

“Let’s just say he’s right up there with Cohen. So, basically, they both have a fair shot at winning.”

A groan escaped my lips. “Great. Is it bad that I hope neither one of them win?”

Jensen walked up behind us and chuckled. “If it came down to a physical fight, Miles would win hands down.”

I groaned again. “Hopefully, it doesn’t come to that.”

He snorted and wrapped his arm around Everleigh’s shoulders. “If one of my cousins tried to get with Everleigh, you better believe I’d stop it.”

Everleigh smacked a hand against his stomach. “Cohen didn’t know. He and Miles were both shocked to see each other here.”

Jensen shrugged and focused on me. “Either way, you’re going to have your hands full.”

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