Page 9 of Sunsets at the Beach House

He’d want kids, wouldn’t he?

Trina hoped so, but she had no way of knowing until she talked to him about it. And a conversation like that could go really well. Or it could be the end of them.

She didn’t want things with Miles to end. Then again, if he didn’t want children, what was the point of staying with him?

She was suddenly miserable. The oven timer dinged, announcing the pizza had been reheated a second time. While her mom got up to deal with it, Trina pulled her phone out and sent Miles a text.

Hey, there. Just thinking about you. Any chance I could see you soon?

Hey, pretty girl. You want to go surfing again?

Trina smiled. Sure, but I was thinking maybe lunch?

How about breakfast tomorrow? That soon enough?

Perfect. Where?

Beachbums. 9 ok?

Trina nodded as she typed back, 9 is great.

That didn’t give her a lot of time to figure out how to bring up the topic of kids, but she’d work something out. In the meantime, she’d pray that Miles wanted them. Because if he didn’t, she didn’t see any other option but to break up with him.

Her mom put a plate in front of her with two slices of pizza on it, but Trina’s appetite had suddenly disappeared. She stared at her plate.

Her mom sat beside her again. “What’s wrong? I can tell just by looking at you something’s going on.”

Trina saw no reason not to tell her. “What if Miles doesn’t want kids?”

Her mom didn’t say anything for a moment. She tucked a loose strand of Trina’s hair back. “If he doesn’t, that’s his right. But it’s also your right to move on and find someone who does. Is that what you’re upset about?”

Trina nodded forlornly. “I like him. A lot. But if he doesn’t want kids, that’s a deal breaker.”

Her mom put her arm around Trina’s shoulders and pulled her in. “Honey, I know you like this guy, but you just met him. If he isn’t the right one for you, well, there are a lot of other guys out there.”

“I don’t want another guy. I want Miles.” She could feel tears welling and she didn’t know why. She was getting way too upset over something that might not even happen. She exhaled a long breath and tried to shake the mood creeping up on her. “You know, I think I’m just stressed. There’s a lot going on with getting the salon ready and then Paulina shows up. It’s just stress. I’m fine.”

Her mom kissed her cheek. “Okay, but if you want to talk more, I’m right here.”

“Thanks.” Trina picked up a slice of cheese pizza and bit the end off. She still wasn’t that hungry. Just like she wasn’t sure it was really just stress.

Why was she so upset about losing Miles? Could it be that she’d already fallen in love with him?

Kat ate the last bite of her salad. “That was good. Really good.” She looked at her aunt and cousin, seated across from her. “Why haven’t you two made dinner before?”

Cash grinned and shook his head. “Good to know you’re impressed by very little effort. That will come in handy when we move your stuff.”

She rolled her eyes good-naturedly. “Oh, no, you don’t. No slacking. I can’t have any dead weight, or we’ll never get it all done. Which, by the way, I’d like to do day after tomorrow. If that works with your studio schedule, Aunt Jules.”

Her aunt nodded. “My session isn’t for another three days. You’ll be back by then, right?”

“Oh, definitely. I don’t want to be gone longer than a day and a half if we can help it. Alex has to be back for his shift that next day, so it’s a hard deadline. Although, if we were really behind, I could always send him back in my car, then Cash and I could return in the rental truck.”

“That’s not a bad idea,” her mom said. “Don’t forget, I’m going with you the day you go. I plan on bringing back as much of my baking supplies, clothing, and personal effects as I can fit into my car.”

Kat nodded. “I could actually help you with that some if you want. Because I’m going to need your help, too. I’ll need you to go through the house and mark anything you want brought back here.”

Claire sipped her water. “I know. I’ve actually started making a list of everything I’d like to keep. The problem is, I don’t know where it’s all going to fit.”

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