Eversea A Love Story

always return to this beach.”
    Jack nuzzled his face toward me and inhaled. “Keri Ann, will you consider coming out to California after I get done with this whole promotional tour thing?” he said to my neck.
    His arms were tense around me, and I knew this was a really big deal of a question for him. Heck, for me, too. My heart danced around in joy, and I wanted to turn around and hurl myself into his arms shouting Yes! Yes! Yes!
    But instead, I took a deep breath, and clearing my throat, said simply, “Yes, I’d like that.”
    His shoulders relaxed at my answer, and he gave me a quick squeeze. “I’m going to investigate what I have left in my fridge from my personal shopper. See you downstairs?”
    I exhaled. “Then will you drop me home? I was thinking of going for a kayak. You interested? You can use Joey’s.”
    “Sure. After we eat I’ll drop you and bring the bike back here, then you can come get me. Work?”
    I nodded.
    “Oh wait!” Jack suddenly let me go.
    I turned to find him fishing around in his jeans pocket, his brow furrowed. I mimicked his expression, wondering what on earth he was looking for.
    He grinned as he pulled his fingers free and held his hand out to me. “Look what I found yesterday.”
    I stared, dumbfounded. In his hand was a piece of red sea glass, about the size of a quarter. I swallowed and gently took the dull, frosted piece, holding it up to the light. “Wow,” I whispered, seeing small hints of amber in parts. “Do you realize how rare this is?” I glanced at him. “Sorry, I probably sound like a nerd.”
    He laughed. “I wasn’t sure what it was at first, but when I realized it was sea glass, I knew you’d love it.” I smiled curiously at the look on his face. He looked proud of himself. “And I don’t think you’re a nerd. I think you’re amazingly talented.”
    I was quiet, processing his words and the enormity of the gift. To me, this wasn’t just a piece of sea glass. To me, it meant Jack really got me. Did he realize that? I wasn’t sure. “Thank you.” I said, closing my hand around the glass.
    Jack nodded once.
    I turned back to the view outside before confiding my piece of news. “Guess what? Jazz took that chandelier I made to Faith’s boutique yesterday. It sold. In one day.” I couldn’t keep the incredulity out of my voice, and it sounded even crazier now that I’d said it out loud.
    “Seriously? That’s fantastic, Keri Ann. Congratulations!” He turned me around. His huge grin was infectious. “It was gorgeous, and I didn’t even see it finished. I’m not surprised. You should have told me, we could have celebrated.”
    “We did, anyway, didn’t we?” I grinned back at him stupidly and cocked an eyebrow. He laughed, kissing me with minty lips and gathering me in a tight hug. “Yeah, I guess we did.”
    * * *
    I was due to pick Jack up in about twenty minutes. The two kayaks were in the back of the truck ready to go. Once I got out of the shower and toweled off, I texted Jazz a not-so-cryptic message.
    Me: Thank you for the small package addition to the back pack ...
    The phone pinged back immediately. I laughed.
    Jazz: OMG, OMG, OMG. You okay?
    Me: More than ok! We’re going kayaking, I’ll chat with you later. Just ... thank you.
    Jazz: xxx
    * * *
    When I neared Jack’s house a few minutes later, I had to stop to allow a black executive sedan from an airport car service pull out of Jack’s driveway. A weird feeling flipped over in my gut as I waited for it to pass, nodding to the suited driver. I fingered my phone for a second wondering if I should call Jack. It could have just been a delivery but I had a feeling it was a person. The owners of the house, perhaps? His agent? Katie?
    I took a deep breath and turned into the driveway. Perhaps the car had only been turning around. I climbed out and headed up the stairs. Jack had told me to come straight inside when I got back, but I knocked just in case. I heard voices inside, and then Jack flung open the door. His face was grim, and he hauled me inside.
    “I’m sorry, Keri Ann. I didn’t know she was coming.”
    “What?” I stumbled forward into the house and faced my worst nightmare. Jack’s firm grip on my hand didn’t detract from the impact of Audrey Lane, dressed casually in jeans and a white t-shirt, her long, glossy black hair swung over one shoulder. She was beautiful. I swallowed hard against the bile threatening to come up and glanced back at Jack with