Page 4 of Chasing You

“You came to Marina’s bar.” My heart is beating way too fucking fast right now.

Her bar. She did it. She owns her own bar. One with dim lighting and red booths lining the walls, just like how she wanted it. Pride washes over me even though I have no right to feel that way, not after what I did.

So Ruby Cove was the small little town Marina came from, and somehow that’s where my sister ended up.

Ruby Cove is a small town, and from what my sister has said, everyone knows everyone. And even if they don’t, everyoneknows Caio Marchetti—his hotel being a sort of social hub for the community. So, even if Marina wasn’t his cousin or close to my sister, I have no doubt the entire town will be at this wedding. I never could’ve escaped seeing her there.

“As soon as you walked in the door the night of my birthday, she disappeared, and I never knew why. Not until the fundraiser at Hotel Dolce.” Isla and May roped me into auctioning myself off for a date last year to help raise money for Isla’s art studio. I had no idea Marina was there. How could I?

“She saw you up on stage and she just froze, staring straight at you. That’s when I found out that you two were…something.”

Something. Yeah, we were something before I went and ruined it all.

“Marina?” I yelled out, my voice echoing against the walls of my summer house. “Where is my uniform?”

I turned the corner and walked straight into the girl who took my breath away every time I saw her face. Saw her eyes that drew me in like a horse to water.

She just gave me a guilty look and wrapped her arms around my neck, planting kisses on my bare chest. She was adorable.

“You don’t need it.”

“I beg to differ. I don’t think anyone would be very impressed to see the pilot of their flight shirtless in the cockpit.” I couldn’t fight the smile that pulled at the corner of my mouth every time I looked into her hazel eyes.

“Oh, I think they’d be very impressed.” She leaned back, running her hands down my chest. “Plus, you look so much better without it.”

I shook my head as I grabbed her under her legs. She squealed as she instinctively wrapped her legs around my waist, giggling as I walked her across the room and carefully dropped her on the stone kitchen bench. “Are you trying to make me late, princess?”

She wrapped her hands back around my neck, pulling me into her. “I’ll make it worth your while.”

“I don’t doubt it.” I pressed a longing kiss to her lips. “But I have to go.”

I went to pull away but her grip on me tightened. “I’ll see you soon, hotshot.”

Another kiss. “See you soon, baby.”

A sharp bark pulls me back to the present as I instinctively tuck my legs under the bench, hiding them from anyone else who wants a piece of my wardrobe.

“Miles?”

“Mm-hmm?”

“You’re quiet.”

“Mm-hmm.”

“Grunt if you’re still coming to the wedding.”

I let out the first breath in I’m not sure how long. “Of course I’m still coming to the wedding, Isla.”

She sighs in relief. “Are you okay?”

“Ask me again tomorrow,” I say, a nervous chuckle bubbling from my throat.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier, I just… I didn’t know how.”

“Has she…” I shake my head. I have no right to ask, but I can’t help it. “Has she said anything about me?” I can’t help but imagine the nights filled with red wine and stories about ex-boyfriends. I can't help but wonder if my sister looks at me any differently.

But more than anything, I can’t help but wonder what Marina is like now. If my sister knows the same girl I knew four years ago, or if she’s changed in any way. If me leaving changed her.

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