Like a Memory (Sea Breeze Meets Rosemary Beach #1)(36)

Nate really was incredibly sexy. His body, his face, the way he moved. Even last night when he had been staggering drunk I’d wanted him. He had that appeal that was impossible to ignore.

“Fuck,” he groaned covering his face with his hand and rubbing hard as if trying to wash away his memories of last night. Or the pounding headache he was sure to have. I had never been drunk but I had seen plenty people drink too much then pay for it the next day.

“I have an aspirin and some water when you’re ready for it. Then a cup of black coffee might help.” I told him and he froze.

I smiled into my cup. He had forgotten where he was. This was kind of fun. Even if I wouldn’t see him again it was fun having Nate here.

Slowly he turned his head until he was looking at me. His half lidded eyes were bloodshot. He couldn’t quite get them open. I watched as he winced again, the sunlight streaming through the window finding his face and neck.

“That wasn’t a dream. Shit,” he mumbled then threw his arm over his eyes. “Why did you bring me here?”

His voice was raspy and deep. I wondered if he always sounded that way when he woke up in the mornings. I liked it. Who wouldn’t like it? That was the kind of thing that made your mind think of other things it shouldn’t.

“You said you couldn’t go to Octavia’s.” I told him. Had to say something. His grandfather was technically in this building, but I didn’t point that out.

“You should have left me there in my truck. It’s what I deserved.”

“Security at Live Bay would have called the cops and you’d have ended up going to jail for the night to sleep it off.”

He lifted his arm some to peek at me. “So you brought me here. To your place. When my grandfather is in the same building.”

I shrugged. “Wasn’t sure which condo and you weren’t really up for talking or directions last night.”

He let out a moan and moved to sit up. The covers fell from his chest and it was bare. When had he taken off his shirt? I hadn’t done that but I wasn’t complaining. His chest was magazine cover ready. What woman wouldn’t want to see that?

“Give it to me straight. What did I say?” he was concerned and I figured he remembered enough to be concerned. I’d leave the part out where he said if he married it would “be to me.” Or that he thought about me “every damn minute of the day” so much “it crowded his thoughts.” These were drunken outbursts I didn’t believe and he’d want to make sure I didn’t. That would be too painful. I would hold onto that forever.

“You broke up with Octavia or at least you think you did.” That needed some clarification.

“Shit. I mean, I’m glad, but shit. I have to call her and talk this out. No telling what my text said. I’m scared to even look.” He patted his pockets. “Where’s my phone?”

“You dropped it in your truck. I left it in there.”

He nodded then rubbed his face roughly. “Where’s Eli?”

Eli was probably in his room listening and pissed off still. “Asleep.”

Nate stood up. “I should go.”

That was it? He wasn’t going to talk about anything? Nothing he said? Nothing? He wasn’t engaged anymore. But he didn’t seem very interested in me either. Instead he looked like he wanted to bolt and couldn’t get out of here quick enough.

“Okay. Your keys are on the bar,” I told him and didn’t move to get up and give them to him. I was still reeling over the fact he was just going to leave. We weren’t going to talk. Nothing.

When had I missed the fact Nate Finlay had become an asshole?

He paused and I waited sipping my coffee and staring straight ahead out the window. I didn’t know what to say or how to deal with this. It was like an awkward walk of shame but there had been no sex. No one night stand.

“Thanks for bringing me here. Making sure I didn’t end up sleeping it off behind bars. My parents would freak the hell out if I ended up in jail.”

Was this the equivalent of “It was good. Thanks for the hot fuck.”? Because it felt like it.

“Like I said, I couldn’t leave you there.”

He didn’t move and I didn’t look at him. I refused to let him see what I really felt at this moment. I guess he’d go find another “easy” to replace Octavia. Even though last night he had told me he didn’t want easy anymore. He wanted more. That had been drunken crap too. Yet I’d thought about it all night long.

“Bliss, did I say something I need to answer for this morning?”

He didn’t remember anything.

“No, nothing. Good luck,” I replied sparing him one glance as I stood up.

He didn’t move at first and I thought maybe he was going to push for more. But before I knew it he was walking to the door.

When it opened, I let myself look. To mark this in my memory. Nate Finlay walking away from me. I needed to get him out of my heart and my head.

Our eyes locked and neither of us said a word. I wondered if he could read my eyes because in his I saw things that couldn’t be correct. The regret I saw was wishful thinking. He didn’t regret this. He was walking away with ease. No concern. No questions. But I was the one hurting. I was always the one hurting.

“Thanks again,” he said and all I could do was nod.