“It’s okay.” I sweep the hair from her face. She’s shivering, so I slide behind her and squeeze her tight. Instinctively, I nestle closer and kiss her neck. When I feel her body relax, I ask, “What were you doing out there?”
She hesitates. “I wanted to go for it…to prove to myself I could get in the water. I watched a surf lesson on YouTube.”
“You replaced me?”
She turns on her knees, facing me. “I thought I could surprise you. It was stupid. I’m sorry.”
“You definitely surprised me.”
She smiles, resting her hands on my thighs. “I learned another life lesson from surfing in the video…” Taking a deep inhale, she says, “You have to find your sweet spot on the board. It’s how you keep your balance.”
I tilt my head, trying to understand the significance.
Her eyes are glued to her fingers that are moving back and forth over my knee. “Leo, I think you…and Sunshine Shores…are my sweet spot. This is the first time I can remember not being consumed by work. I figured out what my life has been missing. " Finally, she meets my eyes as she says, "Balance.”
“Does that mean…”
Chloe nods and puts her arms around my neck. “I’m staying.”
My hands are on her waist. I pull her toward me. The kisses that follow match the heat of the sun beating down.
Now that I have Chloe in my arms, I can’t believe I almost had to kiss her goodbye.
Epilogue
Chloe
September
Squishing my toes deeper into the sand, I breathe in the salty air, and then snap a photo of the orange-and-pink sunrise. Sitting on the beach, my instinct is to wipe the powdery granules from my lap, but I stop short. I’ll do a sand shake when I reach the boardwalk. Until then, I’ve learned it’s easiest to embrace nature’s glitter.
Taking one last look at the colorful sky, I stand and turn. There’s forty-five minutes until my shift starts. That’s right, this girl has a job…at Seabreeze Café. It turns out that I don’t just enjoy eating sweets, but making them too. That might seem like a dangerous combination, but it’s been exposure therapy. Since I’m around them all day, I’ve been forced to learn moderation.
Don says his love of sugar is what keeps him creating new delicious concoctions. My enthusiasm for baked goods is why he hired me. We bonded over milk chocolate, salted caramel and donuts…which is the newest item on their menu.
As I make my way downtown, I begin to sweat, even though I’m wearing a tank top, jean shorts and flip flops. Summer is technically over, but you can’t tell in Florida. I’ve adapted to beachwear quite nicely—as long as it’s neutral colors. I don’t think you’ll ever see me in anything neon or floral, but I’m learning to never say never. After all, I never would have thought I’d be dating a hot surfer.
Nearing the bakery, I spot that hot surfer leaning against the teal building. A smile appears on my face instantly. When Leo sees me, he starts walking my way. I speed up so I can run and jump into his arms. I nuzzle my face into his neck, and he kisses me on the cheek.
Then he finds my lips. “Morning, sunshine.”
“Morning,” I say, squeezing him tight.
This is my favorite part of the day—breakfast with Leo before work. He grabs my hand, and we head toward the café.
“Benjamin and I read your latest episode last night.”
My heartbeat quickens. “What’d you think?”
I decided to publishAdelena Against the Authorityon Kindle Vella. Each week, I release an episode which is equivalent to a chapter. This is my third week.
“I’m a big fan of Razili, but Benjamin thinks he might turn into the villain. He’s team Gizem.”
I breathe a sigh of relief. Kindle Vella has allowed me to ease into being an author while gaining valuable feedback. I’m not raking in the royalties, but I’m gaining confidence.
Leo opens the café door for me.
Don immediately greets us with a hearty hello. “I’ve already got your eggs and donuts plated,” he says as we sit down. “Weird combination if you ask me.”
