Page 70 of The Heartbreaker

Me

Yes.

Ridge

One night this week then.

Me

What about Daisy?

Ridge

If Daisy’s your only concern, don’t let her be. That’s an easy solution.

Me

You know I have other concerns.

Ridge

And you know none of them bother me.

We’re just going to the beach, nothing more. Don’t get inside your head about it.

Me

Because you know I am. LOL.

Ridge

Say yes, Addison.

You need this. We need this.

Me

Okay …

Yes.

SEVENTEEN

Ridge

Addison had said yes to going on a date. Getting her to agree had been the hardest part, an obstacle I’d subtly worked on during our text exchanges over the last several days. Once I had gotten her confirmation, I had been sure everything else would fall into place.

And I was right.

While we sat on a blanket on the beach, she tucked her legs up to her chest, wrapped her arms around them, and gazed at the water. Unafraid by its vastness, unfazed by any of the surfers or people walking by. And that smile—I’d never seen anything like it.

Pure happiness.

Like nothing or no one could fuck up this moment.

Every time she took a breath, I could see the stress leaving her body. I could see the relaxation taking over. Unlike when she’d gotten in my car to drive here, there was no anxiety in her voice, no strain in her shoulders, and no tension in her inhales and exhales.

Was it the beach that had taken it all away?