Page 7 of Run for Us

That makes her chuckle.

“Ask her if she has thought anymore about the dicks,” I hear Jace yell.

“I take it you heard that?” Willow chuckles. “I can vouch for his idea. Wild Steps opened me up to a world I never imagined was possible.”

I sigh. “I’m considering it, but paying for sex?”

“Tell my cousin she isn’t paying for sex. I’m paying for it.”

Both Willow and I laugh. Sometimes I swear Jace and I hear each other’s thoughts.

“Don’t overthink it. Have one fuck-it moment while you are still in your twenties. Maybe it will give you some clarity. I know I have said it so many times, Kins, but your future can look however you want it to. Just because an ex is having a baby shower, and your friends are getting married, doesn’t mean you have to. There is nothing wrong with not wanting children, or even marriage, and if you want to stay in a small town and paint pictures of the ocean, do it. Only you can decide what you want.”

“Thanks, Willow, and I stand by the fact that you are way too good for Jace.”

She snorts. “I wish that were true, but he treats me like a queen.”

“He is a good man. Don’t tell him I said that, or I will deny it.”

We end the call, and I pack my sketch pad back in my bag. A man running toward me catches my eye. It’s the same young guy from the tattoo shop.

“Hey, new girl,” he says with laughter in his tone as he rushes past me.

That’s when I notice there’s another man chasing after him in nothing but boxer briefs. I smirk as he gets closer. Back in Sterling Crest, seeing someone half-dressed wasn’t always a pleasure. Normally, they were homeless or on some sort of drugs, but this man doesn’t seem like either type.

“I’m going to kill you when I catch you, Tyde,” he yells, but slows as he gets closer and plops down on the bench seat beside me.

“Hi,” he gets out between huffing breaths.

Everyone in this town is so friendly. Every person I have come across says hello or has stopped to talk to me. Maybe they don’t get new people around here very often.

“Hi. Did he steal your clothes?”

The man laughs. “No, this is a new wardrobe choice. The asshole delivered live crabs to my food van.”

“What do you have against crabs?” I ask, tilting my head.

His eyes go wide. “Crabs are demon creatures. Pure propaganda has brainwashed the masses. People think they’re fine, but how else do they know how to burst from the sand and sprint at you unless they’re trained commandos? Seriously, have you ever met anyone who isn’t terrified of spiders? Crabs are basically armored spiders with knives for hands, but people just shrug, like, ‘Nah, they’re harmless.’ No, they’re not harmless. They can’t even walk in a straight line. Those freaky little fuckers deserve to die.”

“Well,” I say with a chuckle, “you seem very passionate about your hatred of crabs.”

“Damn right I am, but my love of potatoes makes up for it. I could talk about potatoes all day.” He grins, waving his hand in the air. “Did you know there are over five thousand types out there? Russets for that perfect, fluffy mash, Yukon Goldsfor creamy scalloped layers, and those little fingerlings—tiny, buttery nuggets you roast with rosemary until they’re crisp. And don’t even get me started on purple potatoes. Seriously, a world without potatoes is like a beach without sand—just unthinkable. I’m Shore, by the way.”

“Kinsley. Nice to meet you,” I say as he leans back on the seat, his legs slightly spread and his arms draped along the backrest as he soaks up the sun’s rays.

His golden-kissed skin is that of a local—someone who spends a lot of time outdoors—and his blonde hair has a natural roughness you could only get from the sea.

“Are you hungry? I’m about to open my food van and I would love to cook you a welcome-to-town lunch.”

I open my mouth to say no, but then remember why I’m here. This guy is way too young for me, but I need to step outside my tightly locked box and experience the world. After Teddy died, life scared me, and all I did was work.

“I would love that, actually.”

He jumps from the chair and holds his hand out to help me up. His large hand swallows mine.

I straighten out my dress, and we walk side by side.

“So, Kinsley, where are you from and what brings you to Bluebell Bay? Few travelers stop in here.”

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