Page 46 of Britta & the Beach Boy
“Hi,” Dex says, his dimple playing at the corner of his mouth.
“Hi.” My eyes get stuck on his lips and that dimple. “Welcome back, Champ.”
His grin grows. “Thought I’d drop by to ask when I could collect on that dinner you promised.”
I open the door wider. “I can make you the best bowl of cereal you’ve ever eaten right now.”
Dex shifts like he’s going to come in but stays in the doorway. “I seem to recall something about a green dress in your promise.”
The way Dex’s eyes light up when he mentions the green dress sends a rush of adrenaline straight from my heart to my brain. I want to put on the dress right now, just so I can watch hisgolden-brown eyes grow darker. Looking at him leaning against the doorframe—wanting to yank him inside so hard that we collide, lips and all—I know what the right decision is.
My attraction to Dex is as powerful as a retreating wave. As hard as I try to resist its tug, I can’t stop being pulled deeper…
Unless I get out of his path.
It’s time to go.
I tip my head. “Will you hate me if I back out of my promise?”
His head cocks back with surprise, and I have to tell him the truth.
“I like you Dex, a lot,” I say, and his face lifts so quickly, I hate that what I have to say will wipe away his smile. “But I just got some bad news, and I need to go back to Paradise. I’m leaving Monday.”
His mouth drops, but in seconds he’s schooled his emotions behind a pleasant grin.
“Your family needs you back that soon?” He asks so casually that he’s obviously more invested in my answer than he wants to let on.
I nod. “Britta’sdoes, anyway.”
Dex studies me carefully, questions flicking in his eyes while I clutch the inside door handle, waiting. “Is that what you want? To go back?”
I shrug. “What I want isn’t really important. People need me.”
“People? Or your business? A business is made up of people, butit’snot people.”
I don’t answer. I can’t find the words.
Dex stands straight and makes a disappointed tsk. “Raincheck, then?”
I nod. “Next time you’re in Paradise.”
“Next time I’m in Paradise.” He backs away from the door.
“See you then.” I lift my hand, then drop it and slowly close the door as he turns toward his apartment.
The door clicks shut, but I take a few seconds before I’m ready to walk away. I did the right thing, stepping out of the current pulling me toward Dex. The disappointment I feel will pass.
I let go of the doorknob, turn around and nearly run into Stella.
“You are an idiot.” Her hands are on her hips, and the fiery Italian half of her DNA is on full display. “You’ve got Dex and Annie both begging you to stay, and you’re running back to Paradise to handle problems that can be handled by the people there.”
“I wouldn’t call what Dex said begging.” I step around her without meeting her glare. “He refused my offer of cereal.”
“Fine, then only Annie begged with words. Dex kept it to body language.” Stella follows me into the hallway.
“I’m not talking about this, Stella.” I head toward my bedroom to escape whatever lecture she’s got cooking.
I can’t deny what she said about Annie, or that, if a pile of money fell into my lap, I would buy her coffee shop. My pulse ticks up a notch every time I think about the possibility. But it’s not realistic, and neither is anything long term with Dex, so why set myself up for disappointment?
