Into the Tide (Cottonwood Cove #1)(80)

She glanced over just then, her gaze locking with mine before it moved to her brother and then back to the people sitting in front of her. “I’m just here for the summer before I head back to Chicago, so I’m single and plan to stay that way.”

Ouch. Why did that sting? We’d kept everything a secret, which had been my choice. What the fuck did I expect her to say?

And we hadn’t put a label on what we had.

Also, my choice.

“Did she tell you that the guy who hired her, Joseph Schneider, called her again? Dude, they’re building a whole team around her. Can you imagine that? Being that smart that a big company is making a department that you’re going to run? Fuck, I’m proud of her.”

I knew she had a big job. I didn’t know they were building a whole team around her, but it didn’t surprise me. She’d completely turned my business around in the few months she’d been home.

She’d completely turned my entire life around, too.

“That’s amazing. She’s fucking brilliant,” I said, my eyes not leaving her.

If you put me in the middle of Times Square on New Year’s Eve and told me that she was there, I swear to fucking God, I’d find her within seconds. I always found her. Like she was calling to me from wherever she was.

“Yeah. Aside from her being so invested in the rehab program.” He shook his head, and I pushed to stand and turned to him.

“She’s here for one more month. You should get your ass down there and support him,” I said, putting my hands up when his mouth gaped open to stop him from interrupting. “It would mean a fucking lot to your sister. He’s doing well, dude. I’ve been there. I’ve seen it. And Lila wants you to sit in on one of those family meetings. How about you put your pride aside and do it for your fucking sister, because she puts everyone first, including you.”

His eyes widened with surprise, but it needed to be said. Instead of fighting me like I thought he would, he stared for a long minute before nodding. “You’re right. I should do it for her. And, I’ve got to admit, I never thought he’d stay in there this long. I imagined him sneaking away and her being devastated.”

“Maybe you’ve underestimated both of them,” I said, turning back to watch her as someone inquired about her plans after she goes back to Chicago. Travis shifted to hear her answer, as well.

“I’m actually sad to be leaving if I’m being honest. It’s been really nice being home. And for those of you who haven’t been to Reynolds’, which I’m sure is no one,” she said with a chuckle, and they all laughed. “It’s the best food in town, and I’ve loved working there and spending time with family and friends.”

Her three best friends howled from the back, and there was more laughter.

“So, we’ll see how it goes. I love the city, but it’s not really home.” She shrugged. “But work will keep me so busy that I won’t have time to get homesick.”

She left it at that, and I glanced over to see Travis listening intently, his eyes narrowed as he ran a hand down the back of his neck. Shay walked up just then with two giant churros, and she paused and gave me a hug.

“Look at you. You’re starting to show a little,” I said, reaching over for the churro she’d just handed her husband and tearing the top off and taking a bite. He didn’t even flinch.

“Yeah. I literally just woke up two days ago with a belly.” She smiled.

A hand clapped me hard on the shoulder, and I turned to see Brax standing there. “What’s up, boys? Oh, I see we’re watching the lovely Lila, aren’t we?”

“Put your eyes back in your head, dick licker,” Travis snarled before Shay’s sister walked over, and he and Shay turned to talk to her.

“Yeah. What he said.” I smirked as I continued watching Lila.

“Well, then… I guess it’s too late for you to put your eyes back in your head,” he said, leaning in close so no one could hear.

I didn’t fight him or have a witty comeback.

Because he was right.

It was too late for me.





twenty-four





Lila





The last two weeks had flown by. I’d always been one of those people who looked forward to the next thing. Putting big red X marks on my calendar days to mark another day passed. Another day closer to a goal.

A certain race.

A certain test.

A certain hurdle to get over.

Hell, I’d even made a list to check off during my summer home. Which, by the way, I’d attacked said list and never even looked at it much anymore. Because, for the first time in my life, I wasn’t checking off days or goals because I was actually living. And having the best time doing it. I reached into my nightstand drawer and pulled out my notebook, staring at all the things I’d checked off since the beginning of summer. I hadn’t really told off Drew Compton, but I’d ignored her when she pretended that we were friends when she’d run into me and Hugh having dinner at the bar at Reynolds’ one night. And not giving her the time of day felt just as good as telling her off, so Del agreed we could check that one off the list. I stared at each thing, realizing there wasn’t anything more I wanted at this point.

Well, aside from one thing.