Page 44 of For the Win

After dinner, Harrison suggests walking to the beach, which is only a couple of blocks away.I’m in heels, and I’m not used to wearing them, but I’ve been sitting for nearly two hours so I can handle it.

Once we cross Ocean Avenue, south of the pier, and reach the beach, I slip off my shoes and carry the sling backs hooked over a finger.The ocean is vast and dark, the sky an ombré from baby blue at the horizon to midnight above us.The bright neon and glittering lights of the pier glow in the distance.

“Beautiful,” I say with a sigh.

“Are you warm enough?”

“I have a sweater.Um, can you hold my purse?”

“Sure.”

He’s a keeper.I remember my mom saying any man who will hold a woman’s purse without complaint is a keeper.But that’s not a reliable way to judge a man.

God!Why do I keep analyzing things?Why am I trying to judge him, assess his character?I should just be enjoying the moment, because this is a spectacular moment.I’m on the beach, next to the ocean, a lovely breeze in my hair, and a handsome man holding my purse while I put on my sweater.

There are people all around us, even though it’s dark.It’s fine.

A couple walking toward us has a dog on a leash that reminds me of Roxy, my parents’ French bulldog.“Oh, look!”I smile at the people.“A Frenchie!What’s your dog’s name?”

They smile back at me.“Leo.”

“He’s so sweet!My parents have a dog almost like this.Her name’s Roxy.I miss her.”

Leo lets me rub his ears then wistfully stroke down his back a few times.I give him a final pat, then stand to continue walking.

Harrison slants me an amused glance.“You like dogs?”

“I love dogs!I miss Roxy so much.I wish I could have one, but it’s Taj’s place.Someday.”

“Yeah.”We walk in silence for a few seconds.Beneath my bare feet, the pavement is still warm from the sun.“So, remember I said earlier I got bad news?”

“Yes.”

“I didn’t want to bring it up at dinner, because it’s kind a bummer.”

I turn my head up and sideways to peer at him.Without my heels on, he’s a lot taller than me.“You can talk about it if you want.”

“You noticed something was off.”

“Yeah, I kind of did.”

“That’s why I said you’re so good at reading people.”

Huh.

“I found out yesterday that my dad has Alzheimer’s.”

“Oh.Oh no.”My heart squeezes.“That’s awful.”

“Yeah.”He sighs.“We’ve been suspecting it for a while.But they’ve done testing and ruled out other things, and it seems that’s what it is.”

“How old is he?”

“Almost seventy-three.”

“Oh.”My eyes widen.

Harrison smiles.“I know what you’re thinking.My mom is Dad’s second wife.He was married before.His two sons from his first marriage are in their fifties.That’s how I have nieces and nephews the same age as me.”

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