Page 9

“Long day?” I ask as she emerges with two glasses of iced tea. This has become our routine over the past couple of weeks—watching the sunset together, talking about everything and nothing.
The back deck is quickly becoming my favorite place to end the day, and I’m starting to think it has less to do with the view and more to do with the company.
Lila settles into the chair next to mine, resting her bare feet on the railing and sipping her iced tea from a mason jar. She’s a bundle of contradictions—soft-spoken but sharp-witted, laid-back but with a fire in her that I can’t quite figure out. She’s been sending out nothing butfriendly vibesever since Crystal showed up unannounced that first night, but that doesn’t make her any less captivating.
I remind myself to keep things in check, to honor the boundaries she’s set. I get it—she’s new to town and focused on getting her business off the ground. And after meeting Crystal, she’s probably guessed that I’m tangled up in something I’m not ready to explain. I should be grateful she’s keeping her distance. It makes my life less complicated.
But damn, it’s not easy.
Especially when she looks like she does now—all soft curves and barefoot in cutoff shorts and an oversized t-shirt, her hair piled messily on top of her head. Yep, it’s damn hard.
“The morning rush at Beach Bites was crazy,” she confides, “But I sold out of my lemon scones by ten.”
I take a sip, wondering how she manages to make even basic iced tea taste better than anyone else’s. “Sounds like Jacksonville is starting to discover your talents.”
She shrugs, but I catch the pleased smile she tries to hide. “It’s not much different from the bakery back home. Though the customers here are a bit more... particular.”
“Particular?”
“Today someone ordered a gluten-free, sugar-free, dairy-free birthday cake that still had to taste ‘indulgent.’” She uses air quotes, making me laugh. “I’m still trying to figure that one out.”
“You will,” I say, completely confident in her abilities. “I’ve never met anyone who understands food like you do.”
A light blush colors her cheeks, and she quickly changes the subject. “How was your day? I heard you working on something new this morning.”
“Just playing around with some chord progressions.” I stretch my legs out, deliberately keeping my tone casual and strictly friendly.
“It sounded beautiful,” she says softly. “I love hearing you play while I’m cooking. It’s like having my own personal soundtrack.”
The thought of my music being part of her daily routine does something to my chest that I try to ignore. “Speakingof soundtracks, that death rattle your car made this morning when you left for work? Not normal.”
She rolls her eyes. “Agatha’s fine. She’s just quite particular.”
“Particular seems to be the word of the day.” I take another sip of tea. “But seriously, let me take a look at her. I’m pretty good with engines.”
“You work on cars?” She looks genuinely surprised.
“When I’m not making music or eating your leftovers? Yeah. It relaxes me.” I grin at her. “I work on my jeep all the time.”
She laughs at that, a real, full-bodied laugh that makes my grin widen just hearing it.
“What’s so funny?” I ask, leaning back in my chair, one foot resting on the deck rail.
“You mean the one without doors?” She laughs. “At least mine has all its parts.”
“We live on the beach! Doors are optional.” I gesture to the ocean view. “Besides, your car shakes like it’s about to transform into a robot.”
Lila waves a hand, still laughing. “Just thinking about how you’re worried about my car when you drive around in that new-fangled contraption. You’ve got some nerve, Sterling.”
“Hey, leave the Jeep out of this,” I say, pointing at her with mock seriousness. “She’s a fine-tuned machine.”
Lila gives me a thoughtful glance. “I’m surprised you don’t drive something sleeker like a Mercedes or Ferarri. Something more in tune with your rockstar image.”
“Nope. Not for me. I like driving my Jeep—she’s perfect.”
“She’s a show-off,” Lila shoots back, smirking.
I laugh, shaking my head. “I keep the jeep in top running form. You should try it with Agatha.”