Page 65 of Not that Sea-Rious
Marissa’s brows flew up.Consequences?“What does that mean?”
Reaching for her, Joyce wrappedMarissa in a tight, motherly hug.She might have even rubbed her backsoothingly for good measure.“If you don’t get out of your head, you’ll missout on the good stuff right in front of you.Breathe.Stop worrying.Beau is agood guy.I can feel it in my bones.”
That was the problem, wasn’t it?Hewas perfect.Even fresh off an engagement, he was everything she wanted.Of course,he lived in Florida.The distance was a tremendous obstacle.It’d make thingsimpossible to move forward.
Which was exactly what she wantedto do with Beau.They had the potential for something beautiful, but the milesbetween them would make it impossible.So what was she even doing?
“Live in the moment for once.”Joyce intruded on her thoughts.“You’re going to miss out on life if you fretlike this all the time.Go.Have dinner with the cute guy.What’s the worstthat could happen?”
Marissa could fall deeper in love.
Forcing a smile on her face,Marissa stepped out of her friend’s hug.Taking both of Joyce’s hands in hers,she gave them a squeeze.“I better go.Don’t want to be late.”
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Marissa
Thankfully,Joycedidn’taskquestions.She only offered reassurance, which was exactly what Marissa needed to get out of her own way and leave her room.Carolyn had granted her one night to herself.Considering Joyce was reuniting with her family, it made sense to give everyone the evening off.
The rest of the week would be devoted to wedding prep.This was Marissa’s final few hours of freedom for a few days.She’d better make the best of it.
Beau was definitely the only way she wanted to spend that time.
She found him seated at the bar with his back to her, wearing an olive collared polo shirt and dark wash jeans.Immediately, all the tension left her body.
Licking her bottom lip and smoothing her hands down her front, she approached him.His phone had his attention, which allowed her to slide into the seat beside him unnoticed.“Of all the gin joints, you walk into mine,” she said, wearing a smirk.
Slowly, his lids closed, and a smile spread across his face.As he turned, he opened his eyes and met hers.“I think you got that quote wrong.”
She settled into the chair with ease.The last bit of anxiety she clung to evaporated.“I can’t even tell you what movie or show it was from.”
Flipping his phone over, he chortled.“Casablanca.”
“Oh.”She nodded.“I feel like that’s older than me.”
He nodded.“It is.”
“I’ve never seen it.”
His brows rose in surprise.“Then we must remedy that immediately.”
Snickering, she was at a loss for words as he picked up his phone again and started typing.“Now?”
He shook his head, and his thumbs danced over the screen.“Nah.I promised you dinner.I just want to see if it’s streaming anywhere.”
Smiling from ear to ear, she basked in his presence.She’d never be able to fully explain what it was about him.He made it easy to enjoy his company.He was unbelievably authentic in the most genuine way.She couldn’t describe it any better if she tried.
Beau stood, pulled a clip of money from his back pocket, and dropped a five-dollar bill on the bar top.“Anyway.We have a reservation to get to.”
Marissa’s cheeks heated as he offered her his elbow.Letting her hand rest on the crook of his arm, she stepped closer to him and giggled at the over-the-top show of chivalry.
“I would’ve suggested somewhere fancier, or even out of your hotel, but I figured with the wedding so close, Carolyn would have you on a short leash.”
Marissa nodded as they strolled from the bar and toward the hotel’s restaurant.“She does.This is my last night of freedom.”
Beau mock gasped and covered his gaping mouth with his hand.“Such a bridezilla!You should mutiny.”
Shaking her head and rolling her eyes, Marissa brushed alongside him and even rested her head against his arm.He was such a breath of fresh air.Why did she get so deep in her head when she wasn’t with him?She’d probably have to seek some therapy for all her negative doom-and-gloom thoughts about this ball of positivity.It couldn’t be healthy.
