Page 3 of Shades of You

As I tried to get used to the new weight on my legs, she wandered over to a security system box I’d casually tossed on a side table. I could practically see her thoughts change as her smirk faded. A series of thefts the previous summerhad made our family realize they needed a closer eye on the resort, which had brought me back.

“I saw Myles last night,” she said. “He was like a shadow. There but barely noticeable.”

“Of course. That’s the plan,” I replied, pride swelling within me for the team I’d put together at KeyMark. “Garrett and Myles are trading off seven-night shifts while I work days here to get the business off the ground. We’ll keep everything locked down tight.” Garret Decker, Myles Howard, and I went way back—all the way to the Marines.

“Dad is very happy to have you handling security,” she said. “We’re all glad you’re back.”

I tried to take that at face value, and to ignore that Evan most definitely had mixed feelings about my return. Then Pedro shifted, returning my attention to him. My fingers hovered over his back. Pedro’s fur was as black as the ocean at midnight, and when I finally let my hand brush against him, the kitten gazed up at me with those bright green eyes. “How old is he?”

“Eight weeks. Pilar had seven kittens and we’re keeping two. You should be honored—I think Pedro is the pick of the litter.”

“I already said I’d keep him,” I griped.

“He’ll be good for you. And you for him too. I’ll leave you two to get acquainted.”

Depositing the kitten on the couch, I pushed to my feet. Stella wrapped her arms around me in a spontaneous hug that squeezed the reluctance right out of me.

“I love you.”

“Thanks, Stel. Love you too.”

She pulled away, and the corners of my mouth twitched upward despite the weight of her words. After shooting me one last knowing look, she sauntered out and left me alonewith Pedro. Once the door clicked shut behind her, I sighed and glanced down at my unexpected charge. He was already curling up, prepared to nap as though he belonged here. Shaking my head, I went about setting up his new world. The food and water bowls clinked together as I placed them on the floor near the fridge and filled them. The kitten was so tiny, I was worried he might hurt himself jumping off the couch, so I picked him up and set him on the floor. Pedro stretched lazily before ambling over to inspect his provisions.

“Welcome to bachelor life,” I told him as he sniffed at his meal, then began to eat.

I found a spot for his litter box in the laundry room, tucked neatly out of sight but easily accessible. Left alone with my thoughts, I settled onto the couch, not bothering to turn the TV back on. After a while, Pedro hopped up beside me, dispelling my concern about his physical prowess. His presence was a warm weight as he settled next to my leg. And though part of me was pissed as hell at Stella for doing this, I knew one thing. I might not get overly attached to my new charge, but I was going to take care of him.

I didn’t know if I’d ever fully embrace the Markham traditions or if I’d forever be the black sheep. My gaze drifted to the window. In the distance, just beyond the reach of Dove Key’s quaint charm, lay Calypso Key. Silhouetted against the twilight sky, it was my true home, and yet somewhere I wasn’t comfortable being yet. I didn’t belong. This small town, with its salty air and tight-knit community, was supposed to be a fresh start. Yet everywhere I looked lay the ghosts of my past—and not just Evan.

The past also included Brenna Coleridge.

She had known me before I became the guy with a dark,shadowed reputation. In high school, we’d been friends, bonding over our love of books. I’d been a gangly, shy tower of a teen, too scared to let her know how I felt about her. But she’d never left my thoughts in the decade-plus since. Dark, black years that she had provided light in, whether she knew it or not. And now? I had no idea who she was. And she sure as hell didn’t know me.

It was ironic how, after all my narrow escapes as a Marine, the thought of her this close was what unraveled me. I had to smile at the absurdity.

Facing down insurgents? No problem.

Dodging IEDs and hollow-point bullets? Been there.

Yet the thought of talking to Brenna Coleridge made my stomach clench.

I could almost picture her caramel-colored hair reflecting the sun’s rays, her laughter mingling with the ocean breeze. But even our friendship had contained dangerous undercurrents—two families with long-held, simmering resentments. I had come back to make amends, but maybe I’d also come back for a second chance at the life I thought I’d lost.

I was an expert at surveilling others, distilling their lives down to evidence and reports. But when it came to facing my own need for redemption, I was as green as a rookie during spring training. The Markhams were a baseball family. Evan and I had grown up playing ball, dreaming of grand slams and perfect games. And it had been more than a dream for Evan.

Until I ruined it.

But Stella and our youngest sibling, Maia, had convinced me to play once again. Strictly recreational league, but I was part of a team again and able to feel the rush of camaraderie. And if I could face down fastballs andcurveballs, I could surely navigate the complexities of a conversation with Brenna.

With one last look at the dark outline of Calypso Key, determination filled me. It was time to stop watching shades of a life lived from the shadows. Enough was enough. Maybe Pedro wasn’t the only thing I needed in my life.

Chapter Two

Brenna

I delicately positionedthe last batch of thrillers on the warm mahogany shelves. Bookstore in Paradise wasn’t just a haven for book lovers. It was a reflection of my heart, standing tall and proud on Main Street of Dove Key. The scent of vanilla and sandalwood mingled in the air, dancing with the soft glow of candles that flickered on the countertop. As I aligned the spines with meticulous care, my fingers brushed over the colorful covers. The chime above the door jingled softly, a gentle reminder of the world outside. I stepped back, admiring the orderly array I had created, a vibrant mosaic of storytelling.

“Looks inviting, Brenna!” Michelle approached with her usual sunny smile, her sandals slapping softly against the floor. “These new releases are pretty tempting.”

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