Page 120 of Second Chance at Sunshine Inn

“Do you want to accept their offer?” she asked.

“It’s what you wanted, Everleigh.” His eyes assessed her, and her heartbeat pounded in her head. “What was it you said... ?” He rubbed his chin. “You said you believed Alana was our guardian angel, and we were supposed to sell the inn so we each could follow our dreams. Isn’t that right?”

Her throat felt as if it were full of sand. “Yes,” she managed to whisper.

“So, you got what you wanted, Everleigh. You can go on your merry way and start your nonprofit, and I’ll try to figure out how to restart my life—again.” He cocked his head to the side and studiedher for a moment. “Why do you look so sad about it? All of your hopes are coming true.” His words held a note of sarcasm that cut her like a knife.

She was silent for a moment as grief and regret plunged through her. “What if we refused their offer?” she asked.

A few moments ticked by.

“Why would we do that?” he asked.

“You had plans for the inn. What about adding the pavilion and opening a little restaurant here?” She paused. “Besides, this place is your home.” Her voice sounded strained. “I’m sorry, Cade. I’m so, so sorry. I never meant to railroad you with this sale. I never meant to push so hard and hurt you.” She took a deep breath. “We can reject their offer. Just say the word, and I’ll call her back tonight and tell her we changed our minds.”

He shook his head, and his eyes remained almost lifeless. “I’ll be fine. I’ve moved plenty of times. No big deal.”

She blinked. Had she heard him right? “So, thisiswhat you want, Cade?” she asked. “You want to accept their offer?”And you want me to leave?

“When do they want to close?” he asked, his expression still unreadable.

“Soon,” she said. “Around Christmas.”

“Great. I guess that means you’ll come back for the closing.”

She worked to find her voice. “My parents asked me to accept the hospital’s offer in Atlanta, so I won’t be too far away. Only about six hours.”

A guarded look shadowed his face. “I’m sure they’re happy about that.”

Are you?

She nodded, but an ache started in her belly and worked its wayup to her chest.Tell me to stay and run the inn with you. Tell me you love me, and you want to build a life with me.

“Everything worked out the way you wanted it to, Everleigh.” His face was blank—almost cold.“Congratulations.” The word sliced through her.

Her voice was stuck in her throat.

“Let me know when you get the offer, and I’ll sign it,” he told her before closing the door in her face.

Everleigh felt tears building up in her eyes. She raced to her car before Cade would have the opportunity to look outside and see her cry. She slammed the car door, drove around to the front of the inn, and put the car in park. A powerful wave of anguish overcame her, and she couldn’t stop her sobs. At that moment, she realized that Cade was right: Itwasbetter not to get attached to people. Their friendship had meant much more to her than to him—and that reality crushed her heart.

***

Cade slumped back against his closed door and covered his face with his hands. Just when he thought this day couldn’t get any worse, it had. The inn was sold, and the rug had been ripped out from under his feet. Not only had he lost his brother and his mother, but now he’d lost his home, his job, and...Everleigh.

His life was in complete shambles now. He had nothing left. Sure, he’d get a nice check after the closing, but everything he loved was right here at the inn, and now it was gone.

He was completely and utterly alone—again. A block of ice invaded his chest where his heart had once been.

Cade slid down to the floor and sat with his back against the door, his body limp and his head falling forward. He’d never expectedEverleigh to show up tonight. In fact, he’d been studying his phone waiting for his brother, mother, or father to call. But the phone had remained silent, proof that he’d lost everyone he’d ever cared about.

And why should that surprise him? Everyone in his life had wronged him. Serena and his former business partner were the first. Then he found out that his mother had lied to him his entire life. Then his brother gave up on him, and his father had chosen his mother’s side.

And now the final nail had been pounded into his coffin: Everleigh was moving on with her life and leaving him behind.

There was no reason for him to stay in Coral Cove. Once he got his half of the inn profits, he’d figure out where he wanted to go. So long as it was somewhere far, far away, he’d be satisfied.

Bryant appeared at the top of the stairs and meowed.

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