Page 30 of Hidden Hero

“But it shouldn’t mean losing pieces of yourself along the way,” he countered, his tone laced with frustration and something deeper she couldn’t quite name. “You deserved better then. You deserve better now.”

Cora turned to look at him fully, caught off guard by the intensity in his expression. The teasing grin was gone, replaced by a quiet determination. For a moment, she didn’t know what to say. It had been so long since someone had looked at her that way—as if she mattered, not just for what she could do but for who she was.

She gave a small, shaky laugh, trying to lighten the mood. “You’re a surprisingly good listener for a guy who seems to thrive on one-liners.”

His lips quirked, the barest hint of his usual humor returning. “I’m full of surprises. Stick around, and you might see a few more.”

Her smile faded as she studied him, the sincerity in his words settling over her like the jacket on her shoulders. “Thank you,” she said softly. “For listening. For… being here.”

Jeremy leaned closer, his gaze steady and unflinching. “Anytime, Cora. And I mean that.”

The vulnerability in his words was like a crack in the armor she hadn’t realized she’d built so carefully around herself. It terrified her but also felt like a lifeline she didn’t know she needed. For the first time in a long time, she believed it might be okay to let someone in.

A gust of wind whipped across the beach, and she shivered again.

“You’re cold.”

She nodded. “Let’s go to my house.”

“Can I see Max and Mia?” he asked with what sounded like hope.

Chuckling, she nodded. She liked how they had easily transitioned between the heavy emotions and a lighter conversation. He stood and reached his hand down to her. She didn’t hesitate, placing her palm against his, allowing his fingers to curl around hers. With a gentle pull, she was lifted to her feet. She grabbed the towel and shook it again while he lifted the kayak over his head. She led the way as they walked to her house. He set the kayak on her back deck, and just as she was about to open the sliding door, he placed his hand on her arm. Looking up, she waited.

“Cora, I didn’t expect an invitation inside your home. That’s not why I stopped by. I couldn’t believe my luck that you were out on the beach tonight. I was glad for the chance to talk to you… spend a little time with you… but never want you to think I was angling to come inside.”

She could see his face much clearer now that the light from inside her kitchen poured through the glass, illuminating her deck. She held his gaze, reading the honesty she found in his eyes. “I know you didn’t come here for an invitation, but the invite still stands. You need a ride home, and I offered. It’s chilly, and we need to get warm. And I trust you.”

“Are we friends now?” He attempted the quirk she was used to seeing, but as she stood, holding his gaze, she could see the nervous anticipation on his face. That was an expression she’d never seen before on him. Nodding slowly, she smiled. “Yeah, I guess we are.” She tugged on his hand. “Come on inside, friend.”

13

Jeremy couldn’t believe he was going inside Cora’s house. When he started his kayaking expedition, his only thought was to follow the shoreline north, find a nice place to watch the sunset, and head back before it became too dark. He had known approximately where she lived but would never have imagined that she would be sitting on the beach. He wasn’t sure he believed in providence, but he wouldn’t deny that an opportunity to get to know her better had simply landed in his lap.

Walking inside her house, he was immediately met with surprise. Other than a throw blanket draped over the sofa and a few framed pictures on the mantel, the house didn’t feel personalized. “Wow… um… your place is… nice.”

She looked over her shoulder and laughed softly. “My place is a rental that came furnished.”

“Oh, that makes sense,” he mumbled, hoping he hadn’t insulted her.

She shrugged as her gaze moved around, almost like seeing it through someone else’s eyes. “It is rather plain, isn’t it?”

“It’s fine, Cora. Really,” he insisted. “I honestly don’t know why I said anything. I rent my house, too. The only decorating is when my mom or sister visits. Then they go to the little touristy beach shops, buy shit like signs painted with slogans that say I’d rather have my toes in the sand, then insist that I hang it up.”

“Your house probably looks more like a beach rental than mine.”

He blinked, looked at the curve of her lips, and laughed. “Fuck, you’re right.”

Just then, Max and Mia came trotting forward, and he immediately bent to scoop both up, nuzzling his face against theirs.

Looking over, he found Cora with a broad smile beaming toward him. Or maybe she was beaming toward the cats in his hands, but he was going to think it was because it was him. She turned and walked over to the counter to open a can of cat food. As soon as they heard the can’s top coming off, they squirmed to get down. He lowered them to the floor and watched as they rushed with tails straight up in the air and began swirling around her legs, meowing loudly. As soon as she placed their dishes on the floor, they buried their noses in the food.

“Have you eaten?”

His head jerked up from where he stared at the cats to find her gaze on him. “What?”

“Food. Dinner. Nourishment. Have you eaten?”

“No, but I?—”

---