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Doing as ordered, I removed my clothes and threw them in the trash, not wanting to see them again.

Slowly, I lowered myself into the steaming water. With each inch submerged, I felt my body relax a little more until only a small amount of my shoulders and head were above water. The smell of lavender filled the room, further relaxing me until all thoughts seized. I was only in the here and now.

A few minutes later, Lexie came in and crouched beside the tub. She spoke quietly, as if she was afraid she might break the peaceful bubble I found myself in. “Do you want me to stay?”

Keeping my eyes closed, I spoke just as quietly. “You can go. Thank you for everything you’ve done. I already feel better. Once I get out of here, I’m going to sleep, but I’ll call you whenever I wake up.”

“If you’re sure,” she said lightly.

“I am.” I nodded and felt little waves of water lap at my neck.

“Okay, I’ll lock your door and talk to you tomorrow. If you need anything at all, Ryder and I are here for you.”

Cracking one eye open, I raised my hand and patted the hand she had perched on the side of the tub. “I know you are. Thank you again. I really needed this.”

She patted my hand with her other one before she stood and left. Sitting up a little more, I took a sip of the tea Lexie had made for me. It warmed my insides just as the water was doing to the rest of my body, making me relax even further. Sinking deeper into the water until only my face wasn’t submerged, I closed my eyes again and took in the smell of lavender. All of it combined was enough to have me fall asleep in the water.

Not wanting to drown from heartache, I decided to get out. After drying myself off, I wrapped my fluffy towel around me, took my tea, and got into bed. Taking another sip of tea, I lay down and pulled my comforter up to my chin, letting the warmth from my bath, tea, and blanket lull me to sleep.

Waking up to darkness, I had no idea how long I’d slept. My phone wasn’t on my bedside table, and the curtains were drawn tight so as to not let in any light. What I did know was I felt better. Did I still feel sad over Remy? Yes, I wasn’t sure when or if that ache would ever go away, but I’d live. I knew I had to get back to living my life the best way I knew how and that involved calling my best friend to let her know my heart had been broken but I was okay, get back to writing my book, and finding some food because I was starving.

Getting out of bed, I got ready and pulled my still messy hair into a bun, so I didn’t scare any of the patrons at our local coffee shop. I walked along the beach from my house with my laptop in hand as I traveled down to The Dream Bean. It was only about a ten-minute walk, but feeling the sun on my face for only a few minutes along with the sleep had done me wonders.

I bought their biggest coffee and a blueberry muffin to devour and took them outside on their back patio to watch a group of guys play volleyball. Once I finished my coffee, I went inside to get another. Getting comfortable, I opened my laptop and read the last bit of what I’d previously written since it had been so long. After catching myself up, I placed my fingers on the keys and started to type. I wrote without a break; it was long enough for my coffee to go cold and the sun to dramatically shift in the sky. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d written three chapters in one sitting. I would have kept going if my laptop hadn’t flashed a notification to let me know its battery was almost dead.

With each minute of the day that passed since I woke up, I felt more and more like myself. How could I let a man almost ruin me? Again? Picking up my laptop and cold coffee, I vowed to myself I’d never let a man wreck me or break my heart again.

As I got close to my house, I saw Lexie, Ryder, and their daughter out on the beach splashing in the water. I could hear Delilah’s squeals each time the water went over her feet, making me smile. I wasn’t sure why seeing them out there together now over all the other times I’d seen them made me want a family more than any other, but it did.

I waved to them, not wanting to interrupt their family time as I went up the walk to my place. Once again, I was hungry with no food in my house. The muffin I’d had earlier wasn’t cutting it after so many days without food. Pulling out my phone, I pulled up my favorite Chinese restaurant, deciding I’d treat myself to a feast. My finger hovered over the order button when I heard a knock on my sliding glass door. Lexie rarely came to the front door. It was kind of how we knew it wasn’t a salesman. I didn’t bother getting up, knowing she’d let herself in.

“You look better.”

Looking over at her, I smiled. “I feel better. I was getting ready to make a big order at Yin Chang. I didn’t want to bother you guys, but I should have asked if you all wanted to join me. Do you want anything?”

“We already ate, but thanks for asking. I just wanted to come over and check on you. I saw you had your laptop with you, so…” She paused, waiting to see if I would finish the thought.

“I went to get coffee and breakfast down at The Dream Bean when I realized I had no food. I have no idea how long I was there. Not once did I look at the time, but I wrote three chapters.” I leaned back into the cushion of my couch with a happy smile on my face. “I can’t remember the last time it was that easy to get down my words. When I woke up today...I felt like a new woman. Something inside of me changed. I’m not saying I’m not still sad because I am, but I know I’m going to get through this. I’m going to write this book, and then I’m going to look into starting a family of my own. When I close my eyes, I can see myself holding a little baby in my arms.”

Rushing over to me, Lexie plopped down beside me and hugged me to her sides. “This is good news.” She shook me a little, making me laugh as I hugged her back. “I have to say I was worried about you. I even thought about calling Pen.”

“I’ll call her after I eat.” Starving, I woke up my phone. “If you’re sure you don’t want any Chinese, I’m going to get my order going.”

“I’m positive. Ryder made Delilah and me some amazing chicken Alfredo, and I’m stuffed. That’s why we were out on the beach. I was trying to work off some of it.”

“And what did your poor husband eat?” I felt bad for him when he’d watch us all eat whatever our hearts desired while he stuck to a regimen of almost all chicken and vegetables.

“He actually had a tiny portion of the noodles and sauce, and then he had a chicken breast and broccoli.” She let out a dreamy sigh. “I don’t know how he does it, but I admire his dedication to his body. I worship it nightly.”

I bet she did.

“Soon, you’ll be pregnant with baby number two if you’re not already.”

“I don’t know. You can never tell how long it will take once you stop taking birth control, but it doesn’t matter to me because I’ll have fun trying to get pregnant all the same.” Getting up from the couch, Lexie looked outside. Probably to where her family was still out playing on the beach. “Now that I know you’re doing okay, I’m going to get back to them. Even though the air isn’t too bad, I still don’t want Delilah out in it too much.”

I understood that. Who knew what it might do to her little lungs?

“But if you need anything, and I mean anything, you know where to find me. Day or night, you know I got you.”