Page 4 of Mine Forever
“If you’re sure…”
“Everything is going to be fine.”
TWO
eden
Nothing is fine.
Less than five minutes with my heels on the ground in the Sunshine State and I’m rethinking my strategy.
I’m lucky that Liz, Chase’s agent, took my call. But we’ve always had a good working relationship, and she told me several times Chase needed me.
No way. I spent years trying to do that. I’m no longer in the business of saving Chase.
I’d gone down with that ship years ago.
Liz hadn’t been sure if he was on the island right now, but his last known address she had was Cape Sands Beach.
I don’t have time to waste and yet here I am, waiting in line to pick up a rental car in the Jacksonville airport.
Liz may not have been sure, but my gut tells me he’s here right now. Although I’m not sure I can trust it where Chase Hanover is concerned.
I’ve made too many mistakes that have cost me more than I can think about when it comes to this man.
The chipper rental car clerk checks me in quickly, and withlight traffic through Jacksonville and St. Augustine, I’m nearing the charming little beach town of Cape Sands in record time.
I head south toward the bridge that leads over to Cape Sands Beach, and when it comes into sight, I blow out a breath and tighten my hands on the wheel.
“You can do this, Mitchell. You’re a professional. You’re no longer a college girl in awe of the college baseball star.”
Right. Sure.
I never think of Chase or the way he once meant everything to me.
As long as dreams don’t count.
I’m here strictly for business.
I’m not here to make friends, to see how he’s doing, or comfort him in any way.
Comforting him is a mistake I’m definitely not repeating again.
I roll down the windows, and the briny sea air fills the cabin of the SUV.
But one deep inhale brings back memories that I’d rather forget.
The windows go back up.
There’s only one way to survive the short amount of time I’m here and that’s to block out all the memories that threaten to break free and torment me.
If I lose sight of my goal, I’m finished.
Staying professional is the way to handle it. Which also means kneeing the asshole in the balls is out.
The wide bridge gives way to a two-lane road running through a little town area that embraces an eclectic mix of vintage, contemporary, and beachy.
My sigh of relief is deep when I see a coffee shop. The early morning coffee buzz wore off hours ago, and I need a pick-me-up to feel human before I see my ex face-to-face.
