Nina nodded. He was right. She didn’t need to rush anything. Didn’t need to complicate it. She just needed to drift forward, enjoy the day, and breathe.
She glanced at Lynn again. The girl was laughing with another volunteer, hair dancing in the salty breeze. Happy. And for the first time in a very long time Nina felt almost happy too.
She didn’t know how long that feeling would last. But it was real.
They both behaved perfectly normal in front of her. Pretended nothing had happened between them. Pretended there hadn’t been a kiss, or a spark, or that aching pull every time they looked at each other.
They made excellent actors. Almost flawless.
But every time their hands brushed—passing a trash bag, reaching for the grabber—something inside Nina lit up.
And he… he kept looking at her like he might kiss her again.
Lynn jogged over and handed them another trash bag.
They finally finished their section of the beach. The wind cooled a little. Nina felt her clothes clinging to her skin, her hair hopelessly tangled, her arms heavy from the work. Jasper walked beside her in silence—crumpled gloves in one hand, an empty bag in the other.
“One more hour of this and my legs would’ve staged a walkout,” she joked, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
“Next time, turn down her bright ideas. Lynn always had… unusual methods of having fun,” he said, and his hand brushed lightly across her back.
The touch sent heat shooting through her.
They reached his car. Jasper opened the trunk, pulled out a clean pair of sneakers, and started changing his shoes. Nina leaned against the door of her own car, trying to catch her breath. Lynn appeared a minute later—flushed, radiant.
“You’re way too energetic for someone who’s been up since six,” Jasper said as he finished tying his laces.“Next time you can go to these things without me.”
Lynn flashed a sly grin, eyes sparkling.
“Physical labor is a great way to clear your head, find some balance, and relax before delivering important news.”
“I’m already relaxed. Nina probably is too,” he added, giving Nina a quick glance.
“Then I guess I should tell you both something wonderful. You’re going to be grandparents.”
Silence hit them so hard even the seagulls seemed to freeze midair. Nina’s head snapped up; she stared at Jasper, and he stared at Lynn.
“I’m sorry,what?” he asked, blinking.
“I’m pregnant, Dad,” she said, smiling, though Nina saw how nervous Lynn was beneath that smile.
Jasper stared at her, stunned. Then at Nina. Then back at Lynn.
“So that’s why you dragged Nina here? Thought I’d strangle you for news like this unless there were witnesses?”Jasper’s voice was ice as he stared at his daughter.“Do you even understand what you’re doing? What about your residency? Your surgical career?”
Lynn shrugged and stepped back, as if putting even a foot of distance could save her from the storm coming her way. Nina stood beside them, unable to decide whether she had the right to say anything at all. Everything felt too sudden, too raw.
“Is it…” Jasper drew in a sharp breath.“Is it Nolan’s?”
Lynn rolled her eyes.
“No, Dad, it’s the pizza delivery guy’s. Yes, it’s Nolan’s. And I’m an adult. I know how birth control works. Sometimes… things just don’t go according to plan.”
Nina noticed Jasper’s knuckles go white. He looked away, as if trying to swallow the urge to curse out the entire world—Nolan included.
“I’m going to kill him,” he whispered.
“A little late for that,” Lynn replied calmly.“I’d like to become a wife, not a widow.”
