The Coast is Clear (Breakaway Shores #1)

Izzy

Offered

“Okay, the offer has been sent. I know that I’m his agent, too, but I’ll make sure that you get a good deal, okay?” Luke closed his laptop and threw me a grin.

I smiled in return. “I believe you.”

“It’s a great house. The backyard has always been my favorite.”

“How do you know him?” I asked, thinking of the stereotypical tall, dark, handsome man who owned the house.

Luke tapped his fingers on the table. “He bought the house from me years ago, and we have just become friends. He’s a really good guy, but he just kind of never stays in one place, from what he’s told me. He likes to move around.”

“Is he always that grumpy?”

He threw his head back with a laugh, “I’m going to tell him you said that. He’s kind of grumpy, yeah. But once you get to know him, he’s not that grumpy. Something unpleasant happened on his trip, to say the least.”

“Yeah, I could tell he was…” Part of me wanted to see what he looked like without the harsh lines of anger on his face. He would probably be even more handsome, which was just unfair to the rest of us.

Christian came running into the room, slipping on his socks. “Mom, I’m bored.”

“Bored?” I asked him, making my eyes wide.

“So bored,” he whined, pulling on the bottom of his bright green t-shirt featuring a dinosaur on the front.

“I guess we should find something to do then,” Luke answered, tapping his hands on the table.

Christian moved over to him, climbing in his lap. “Like what? Can we go to that candy place again?”

I shot Luke a look, not wanting to over-promise on the sugar end before ten in the morning. “Candy? We haven’t even had lunch yet. But what if we went to the arcade?” Luke looked at me, smiling big.

Christian squealed, “Yes! Mom, can we please? Please?”

“Sure, but I need to get some caffeine before we do that. Go get your shoes on.” He jumped off Luke and ran toward the door.

“Yes, I need a tea, something fierce,” Luke said, following Christian.

The coffee shop wasn’t busy. It was just small. There were a few other people inside. One of them leaned against the glass of the pastry container, and I knew it was him the moment we opened the door. Zander wore a green canvas jacket over a deep green shirt and jeans. I pulled my eyes away from him as Luke waved. “Hey, buddy. Good morning, Shelley.”

The woman behind the counter was older, her gray hair pulled into a tight bun. She smiled at Zander, her hand on his forearm. So, he wasn’t mean to everyone, except the person who might be buying his house.

“Hi, Luke. Is this your sister?” Shelley asked.

Luke nodded. “Yup, my sister . This is Shelley, the keeper of the caffeine and the best scones you’ll ever have.” Shelley put her hand on her chest in thanks. “And these two little ones are my nephews.”

Shelley grabbed something from the pastry case and brought two small cake pops to the boys. She asked me, “Is it okay if they have these?”

“Sure,” I answered, knowing I could not say no once they saw the treat. The boys jumped up and down, saying a quick thanks before taking bites. I walked up to the counter, ignoring Zander to the best of my ability. It was hard, and I could almost feel his eyes on me. Or maybe not. Maybe being a widow had messed up my radar. “I’d love a chai tea with vanilla, please. Extra hot.”

“And my regular, please, Shelley,” Luke called out.

The woman nodded, turning her back to us as she got to work. The boys sat on a small bench right next to a large window. There were only two tables, one filled by an older couple reading the newspaper. They didn’t seem to care that we were all cramped in together. I walked over to the boys, standing behind them as they ate. Kingston looked up at me, his long, dirty-blonde hair covering part of his eyes. “This is yummy,” he said with pure joy. I knew he needed a haircut, but I liked the look on him. Jack had given Christian haircuts, and it was one of those things that Kingston would never experience. I actively avoided the topic of haircuts, so I wouldn’t have to deal with it.

“What are you guys up to today?” I heard Zander ask from behind me. His voice was deep, vibrating through the entire space.

“We have an arcade and candy shop on our to-do list today. You want to come?” Luke told his friend, but I wanted to take back his offer.

“You know I don’t say no to candy,” Zander responded. I glanced at him over my shoulder, only to find his eyes on me. My stomach flip-flopped, and thankfully, Shelley placed my hot drink on the counter.

“We won’t overload on candy, sis. Promise!” Luke said as I walked around them, giving myself more room than I needed to. There was something about him that just bugged me. Yeah, that’s what it was. Maybe his house wasn’t the right one for me. I didn’t want to deal with him through the process, even if he was Luke’s best friend.

“Thank you,” I said to Shelley and grabbed my purse.

She waved her hands at me, “Oh no. Zander took care of it for you guys.”

Of course, he did. I turned, keeping my face unaffected as I met his gaze. “Thank you.”

He held his coffee cup to me, and then Luke headed toward the door. “Boys, it’s candy time,” he said in a mock-serious voice.

My boys ran after him, and I slipped through the door, feeling Zander behind me. This was going to be an interesting day.

The candy store was exactly how I remembered. Jack hadn’t been a sweets fan, but I always had been. He’d humor me, walking around the store while I filled my basket with too much. The boys were leading Luke around the store, and it seems he underestimated what he was getting into. I was waiting in line at the chocolate counter, reading the fun signs that hung on the bright pink walls of the store.

The man in front of me was getting what felt like one of everything. Someone stepped up beside me, and I looked over to find Zander. “You a chocolate fan?” he asked.

“In fact, I am. Big fan.”

“Which is your favorite?”

“Seafoam or maybe truffles. It’s a tie, I think.” I glanced over at him. He had his hands in the pockets of his jeans. “Are you a chocolate fan?”

Zander smiled just a tiny bit, and his entire face brightened. It was gone quickly, and I knew I wanted to see it again. “Yes. Always. I don’t know why more people don’t know about seafoam. It’s the best.”

“The very best. Sorry you got dragged along with us today,” I told him.

He tilted back, his torso facing me more. “I wanted to come.”

The man in front of us moved, which meant it was our turn. My turn. I ordered too much chocolate, and Zander ordered more when I went to pay. He tapped his card while I wasn’t looking, and I narrowed my eyes at him. “That’s the second time you’ve done that today.”

“And?”

“What’s your game?”

He chuckled and turned away from me, heading toward the other end of the shop. Christian and Luke were both standing with their noses touching the window glass, which gave everyone a direct view into the taffy pulling station. “I can pay for myself, you know,” I called after him, not sure why I was so bothered by him.

Zander threw me a look over his shoulder while I felt someone tug at my elbow. I pulled back, stumbling sideways into Zander, turning to look at whoever grabbed me. Zander’s arm wrapped around my back. His fingers pressed into my side. My eyes landed on a familiar face. “, what are you doing here?”

It was David, standing in front of me. He was older, with a few gray hairs throughout his dark facial hair. He had been in our friend circle in college. I guess he’d been my friend first, but Jack had liked him, too. “Wow, it’s been such a long time,” I said, suddenly aware that Zander had his hand on my waist and I was still pressed against his side.

I hated myself for it, but I liked how it felt. I didn’t want to move but stepped forward as David smiled. “Are you visiting Oregon?”

“I’m moving back here with my two kids. My brother lives here,” I pointed over to where the three of them stood, Zander still beside me.

“That’s great. I’m just here with my brother and his family for the day,” his eyes flickered to Zander, “Is this your boyfriend?”

Before I could protest, Zander straightened up and dropped his arm from my side. He stepped forward slightly, holding out his hand to shake David’s. “Nice to meet you. Not the boyfriend.”

David shook his hand, and then his face stilled. “Okay. It was nice to see you, . I’m in Portland, but maybe we can get together sometime and catch up?”

I smiled too big, a people pleaser, and nodded. “Sounds fun,” even though it didn’t sound like fun.

David waved before turning around. Zander and I stayed there for a moment. I glanced up, remembering what it had felt like to be against him. His body was so firm, his fingers strong on my waist. “Sorry for smashing into you.”

He shrugged. “That an ex-boyfriend?”

“No, just a friend from college.”

“He wanted to be your boyfriend, I bet.” He bumped his shoulder into mine.

Had he? “Huh, maybe. I was too into my husband in college. Back when we were just dating.”

Zander nodded, and my body tingled as he placed his hand on my lower back, turning me toward the boys. Had I just broken an invisible barrier around us by falling into him? What was wrong with me?

He took his hand off me a moment later, and I instantly wanted him to touch me again.

Uh oh.