Page 36 of Beach Cottage Kisses

Of seeing Scott.

Fridays were his shorter workdays.

And so she stayed focused on being in the present. Considered what she might do for the weekend. Work, of course, but which project? Thought about getting a new comforter for her bed. Talked to Angel about a jellyfish that washed up. Looked for some of the blue blobs that had shown up on their beach—as well as many others in Southern California—the previous spring. Hydrozoans. They’d been all over the news. A sea creature from the ocean floor. She’d donated a plethora of photographs of them to local scientists studying them.

And when, almost an hour after she’d left her cottage, Angel gave the high-pitched bark that was reserved for her hello to Morgan, Iris’s heart didn’t even skip a beat.

Continuing her casual pace as her girl ran full speed up the beach for the lavish greeting the girls always bestowed on each other, Iris had a nonchalant, regular smile on her face as she watched Scott approach.

He was talking to the dogs. She couldn’t make out his words,but his voice carried in the slight breeze straight at her.

A voice that was familiar to her. Resonated within her.

As though a part of her.

Of herlife, she quickly amended the thought. Just like Sage’s and Leigh’s voices were ones she’d know and identify with as belonging to her personal circle.

Almost as though he’d read her mind, his first words to her were, “I talked to Sage a little bit ago. She sounded happier than I’ve heard her since we were kids.”

Hearing Scott’s affection, Iris’s mind immediately switched to the mundane.

Who actually remembered the sound of a sibling’s happiness from childhood?

Anyone?

Everyone?

Or just multiples who’d been connected since conception?

“She asked me to look in on you. Said you hadn’t texted since Monday.”

Sex on the floor.

Sage’s house.

Beige sand. Glistening. Angel’s front paws on Morgan’s back. “I’m assuming you told her that we’ve seen each other on the beach every night, as usual, and I’m fine?”

“I did.” Good. Breathe.

“I also told her that I’m not your keeper.”

Uh-oh. “And she wanted to know what was going on, right? Because why else would you have said something like that?” Had he told Sage what they’d done?

Heat rose up her neck, tendrils sliding toward her cheeks.

“She asked me why I was tense. Didn’t automatically relate it to you. Or her question. She knows when I’m off,which is why I’ve been texting with her all week, instead of talking to her. It’s a twin thing.”

A twin thing.

His words slammed her in the gut. With recognition. Loss. Agony.

Maybe some jealousy.

She shoved her mind to the words he’d said before the last ones. He’d been texting his twin all week, rather than calling, so that she wouldn’t know he was off.

Because hewasoff. Just as Iris had been. Fighting not to think about his body on top of hers. Entering hers.

Refusing to allow her mind to dwell any time the fire hit.