“Are you feeling better?” Ava asked.
I sliced a hand across my throat, trying to signal Ava not to make trouble. Nattie fluttered her eyelashes, glancing at me.
Grinning, I lowered my hand abruptly, hoping she didn’t see me motioning at Ava.
“Feeling better?” Nattie asked, tilting her head.
“Yes, you didn’t seem yourself last night at the motel. I hope all you needed was a good night’s sleep.”
A smile spread across Nattie’s face. “Oh, yes. I was tired, but all better now.”
“That’s good. So good. Hey, after you’ve had your tea, maybe we could take a walk on the beach.” My protective instincts surged right along with my nervousness. I had to protect her from Alex and Ava’s poking and prodding. Or was it myself that I was trying to protect?
Did I want to live in blissful ignorance for as long as I could? Yes. The answer was yes.
I wanted to stay wrapped in my cocoon of zero information and believe that Nattie and I could be the next Alex and Ava.
“That would be so lo–nice,” she stammered as the tea kettle whistled and I snatched it, pouring it into the mug containing the sugar she’d added.
“So, tea, huh? Is that a British thing?” Alex asked.
“Uhh, I’ve just never been a fan of coffee,” she said with a shrug. “I’m so sorry, but is there cream?”
“In the fridge,” Ava said, poking a finger at the appliance. “That seemsveryBritish.”
“From my mother’s side,” she answered as she grabbed the cream and stirred it in her tea.
“Oh, right. On your mom’s side. Just like I have a mom’s side. And a dad’s,” I said with a nervous chuckle. “Ava, what’s your heritage?”
“Oh, I’m about as American as they come, Doc,” Ava said with a coy expression
“She is,” Alex answered with a nod. “She’s your all-American girl.”
I swallowed hard as Nattie sipped her tea. “Well, you are very beautiful.”
“Aw, thanks.”
I shifted my weight from foot to foot. The tension between the two women was unmissable. I’d seen less tension in a household with my difficult, demanding, spoiled-simple sister who had grown up doted on by our billionaire dad.
I grabbed the mug from her hands and set it aside. “That’s enough tea. Let’s head out for that walk.”
Nattie’s lips parted as she studied me before she nodded. “All right.”
“Great. Let’s go.” I slid my arm around her shoulders and guided her toward the living room.
As we left Alex and Ava behind, I relaxed a little. I didn’t want them frightening this poor woman off. I was capable of doing that myself. I didn’t need help from my friends.
We stepped into the bright sunshine, the salty sea air enveloping us. The sound of the surf created a soothing backdrop, but it didn’t manage to lessen my nerves.
“So, Nattie–“ I began as we strode along the sandy beach, my bare feet sinking into the sun-drenched sand.
“Kyle, please,” she said with a shake of her head. “I know exactly what’s going on here, and you really need to stop.”
The words sliced at my heart. I knew this was too good to be true. I just hadn’t expected it to end this soon.
Nattie came to a stop, twisting to face me, her features pinched.
And here came the brush off. Would it be polite, or would I get a slap across the face?
