“Nah, it’s because of my handsome looks and sparkling personality.”
I crack up at how he managed to deliver that line completely straight faced. “I still can’t believe you played baseball for the Sharks.”
“It was many years ago. I was in LA for about two years, one of which I was playing. The other I spent in physical therapy.”
“Where did you live?”
“I had a place in Newport Beach. It had an ocean view about the size of a pizza slice.”
“I love the beach towns. We were in Manhattan Beach. Our house was tiny. About a quarter of the size of Jake and Daphne’s. But there was one window on the second floor with an ocean view.”
“You must’ve spent all your time up there staring out the window.” Brady grins. It’s the first time I’ve seen him fully smile. It's big and bright, and teasing and flirting.
I can’t help breaking out in a smile of my own. “It was in the spare bedroom. We never went in there.”
We talk about beach life in LA and our favorite restaurants and hiking in the hills.
“You must miss it,” Brady says.
“Some things I miss. Like the beach.” We moan together like everyone who’s had to leave a Southern California beach town. “But it was time for Lara to begin elementary school. I knew if I was going to make the move to Whispering Pines, now was the best time to do it. And the B&B came up for sale, which seemed like the universe telling me to go ahead with the digital detox retreat. Although it doesn’t feel like the universe is saying that now.”
“Were you in the digital detox retreat business in LA?”
“No, far from it.” I tell Brady about how I got into the wholesale cosmetics business and how using social media to promote my business led to becoming a social media consultant.
“The digital detox retreat is something I've wanted to do for a while. Going through the divorce and watching Lara learn about the world around her made me rethink a lot of things. What kind of life do I want for Lara? And myself? Do I want to embrace artificial intelligence and keep up with ever-evolving technologies? Scale my business, take out loans, and be stuck forever in that cycle?
“Or do I want relationships that aren’t dependent on cell phones? Do I want meaningful work that helps people rediscover the beauty of the natural world and the importance of human connection?” I glance at Brady to see if he thinks I’m full of fluff. He doesn’t have the faintest snicker. “So, we came back to Whispering Pines.”
“It’s a bold move.” Brady says, nodding. “And a smart one. I think the digital detox is something a lot of people want.”
“I hope so. I’m going to keep going with the retreat, despite the fire. The terms of my insurance policy mean that I benefit more from keeping it going.” I feel my shoulders fall with the realization. “I really want to make it happen.”
“I bet you will.” There's nothing patronizing in the way he says it. He sounds like he genuinely believes it’s possible.
Dang, I like the impression I've made on him. I like the impression he's made on me. But he's gotif onlyguywritten all over him.If onlywe'd met earlier or later,if onlyin another place, among other people, we could’ve been a pretty hot couple.
“How about you?” I angle to face him, and my inside flutter. That chest. Those shoulders and upper arms. He fills his navy button-down with unapologetic fireman muscles. Right now, I’d give anything to make his arms my home.
“How did you end up in Whispering Pines?” I try to sound like I’m making light conversation. But I have a powerful desire to know everything about him.
The back door swings open. We turn toward Daphne walking over to the swing. “You two need to come inside. Gunnar is about to play. Sammy, have you heard him play?”
“It’s been a while.” I meet Brady’s eyes. “Shall we?”
“Wouldn’t miss it.”
When Daphne opens the door, Gunnar is settling into a chair with a guitar. Seated next to him is his wife, who isn’t from Whispering Pines. She balances a fiddle on her thigh while she and Gunnar talk in low voices. They look like they’re in sync in every way.
I love that for Gunnar. He found his person. I love that there’s love like that in the world. Maybe it’s not for me. I tried. I failed. But they got it, and that gives me hope for Lara. I want her to know that kind of devotion exists.
“Where were you?” Lara asks, appearing between Brady and I.
“Outside talking to a friend.”
She looks up at Brady. “Coach Brady’s your friend?” Her eyes sparkle. “That’s so cool.”
Friendship is a good place for Brady and I. Eventually, I’ll get over wanting to jump his bones. Then we’ll be like Jake and I. When we were in high school, he made me feel things I didn’t know were possible.
