Page 51 of Hibiscus Heights

Despite her best intentions, she’d spent a restless night, her dreams filled with memories of a younger Grant, and the love they’d shared.

Those images juxtaposed with the present—Mason and Teddy’s hopeful faces, Matteo’s easy invitations, and Grant’s complicated reemergence.

Pushing harder, her legs burned. Breathe in, breathe out. Life had a rhythm.

Duke raced ahead as the beach curved toward a series of rock formations marking the boundary of a small cove. Few tourists ventured this far from the main beach, which was why Deb had chosen this route.

Only Kaito’s Rockin’ Roll restaurant loomed ahead. Most people drove there and parked.

As she rounded the bend, memories surged to mind. She and Grant walking this stretch of beach, hands clasped, talking about dreams for their future. His arm wrapped around her shoulders, watching a sunset from those very rocks. The nervous flutter the first time he’d kissed her.

Deb shook her head and blinked again.

Duke circled back, whining when he saw her heated face.

She slowed, catching her breath. “I’m okay, boy.”

Moments later, she stopped. With her hands on her hips, she stared out at the ocean, chastising herself again. This was ridiculous. She was a grown woman with a successful career and a full life. She never let men encroach on her head space. Why was she letting old feelings with Grant resurface?

Nothing would come of them.

But they never really went away, a quiet voice in her mind answered.

She scrubbed her hands over her inflamed cheeks. Whatever she might have imagined years ago wasn’t to be, then or now. Because a relationship took two people, and one had already proven himself adept at fleeing the scene.

Deb whistled to Duke to resume her run.

A few minutes later, from the corner of her eye, she caught sight of three figures. One waved his arms and called out.

Her heart lurched as she recognized Mason’s voice. Slowing again, she saw him waving with Teddy beside him. And there, just behind them, stood Grant, watching her.

They were leaving Kaito’s, of all places.

Duke barked at the sight of the boys and bounded toward them before Deb could stop him.

“Duke!” Teddy cried with delight as her dog yelped, tail wagging with wild abandon.

There was no avoiding them now. Catching her breath, Deb strolled to where they stood despite her discomfort.

“Dad took us for sushi and rolls,” Teddy said. “It was great.”

Mason knelt to hug Duke. “We’re walking back to the hotel.”

Grant came up behind them, looking at Deb with interest. “How’s your run?”

“Always feels good when you finish.” Deb was acutely aware of how she must look. Hot and sweaty, dressed in running shorts and a faded tank top.

“It’s great that you’re still running.”

His voice carried a smoky warmth that made her pulse quicken, just as it always had.

“I’m hardly ancient. Did you stop?”

He shrugged. “A few years ago.”

Instantly, Deb wondered if Grant and his wife ran together before she died.

An awkward silence fell between them, filled only by the sound of waves and the boy’s chatter with Duke.

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