Chapter 7
Chloe
Itake a sip of chocolate milk to buy myself some time. Where do I start? Do I tell him everything? About quitting Mountain View Press and my dream to be an author? Something in me feels excited and free. I can’t tell if it”s the fresh ocean air, the fact that I’m all sugared up, or this man that I just met.
After he got out of the pool, he pulled his hair into a man bun, and I had to force myself not to gawk. I’ve never seen a man bun in person, and I am quickly learning that I have been missing out. Plus, he’s looking at me with chocolate eyes that make me feel all melty. Pull it together, Chloe.
“Oh boy, um…Well, I was an editor for a publishing house called Mountain View Press in Denver for the last three years. I guess I just felt like something was missing, so I quit.”
Leo’s hands are folded and his shoulders are relaxed. He appears all settled in, ready for more. Part of me wants to tell someone, anyone, about my hope of becoming an author…but the other part of me is still scared. What if he laughs in my face? I mean, I barely know him so I guess it doesn’t really matter, right?
I chew on my lip, thinking through my next words.
“So, what’s missing?” Leo leans forward, resting his elbows on the table.
I avert eye contact and try to steady my breathing. My heart is pounding having Leo’s full undivided attention. “I don’t know for sure, but…there’s this thing that I’ve always wanted to do. I’m just not sure if I’m good enough. Sorry, I don’t mean to be cryptic. I just haven’t told anyone yet, and I’m still working up the courage.”
Leo raises an eyebrow. “I’m intrigued. When you’re ready, I’d love to hear about it.”
“Thanks.” That was such a sweet response. Not pushy, just curious. I wipe down my area with a napkin and set it on my plate.
“So, what’s your plan while you”re in Sunshine Shores?” Leo asks.
I look up at him, and for some reason, at that moment, it really hits me. I have no plans…no plan at all. What am I going to do tomorrow? My heartbeat starts thumping in my ears. “I…I don’t know. I got my job at MVP right out of college. I’ve always been in school or working.”
He tucks a stray hair behind his ear. “Sounds like a nice break.”
“It does? I don’t know what to do with myself.”
“I’m sure Val will have ideas. She’s always up to something.” He finishes his glass of chocolate milk, smiles and sets it down gently. “Ready to head out?”
I nod, distracted by his tan skin and the enormous blank page that is my future. As we walk out toward the truck, Leo opens the door for me again. I’ve never had a guy do that before. I thought it might be awkward or unnecessary, but I like it. It’s nice.
On the drive home, Leo points out a few places—the library, a surf shop, a boutique. The sun is shining high overhead. It’s early afternoon, but I’m suddenly exhausted.
A moment later, Leo pulls into Val’s driveway (well sort of mine now too) and puts the truck in Park.
My eyelids feel heavy, and I look over at him with the best smile I can muster. “Thanks for the sugar.” As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I realize what I said. “I meant like sugar as in the dessert, not like the euphemism for sugar.”
Leo grins. “Of course. Welcome to Sunshine Shores. Sorry it wasn’t the best first day.”
“The cupcake redeemed it.” I grin and hop out of the truck. “Thanks again.”
“Chloe.” I pause at the sound of Leo saying my name. “I’m glad you’re here. I hope I’ll see you around.”
I nod and walk toward the front door. I can feel my cheeks muscles. Why are they sore? Have I been smiling for the entire last hour?
I know I said the cupcake redeemed my first day, but honestly, Leo was the best part. The cupcake was an added bonus. I replay his last words. “Chloe, I’m glad you’re here. I hope I’ll see you around.”
As I close the door behind me, I lean against it, shut my eyes and sigh like a romantic movie cliché.
“Well hello.”
I cringe. Aunt Val is staring at me with a giant grin on her face. I called her earlier while I was changing in the bathroom—you know, to make sure Leo wasn’t a serial killer.
Her response? Immediate gushing about what a wonderful guy Leo is and that she’s so happy we’re spending time together.
Aunt Val is practically bouncing on her tiptoes. “So, how was it?”
“The cupcake? Amazing. Dangerously amazing. I’m gonna have to work on my self control so I don’t blow through my savings at that café.”
“No,” she says exasperated. “How was it with Leo?”
I don’t want her to get her hopes up, or my own. I’m turning over a new leaf. I’m living rooted in adult reality where I don’t form a crush on every extremely handsome guy I come across. I try to think of a response to match this new outlook and decide on, “He’s nice.”
Aunt Val begins walking toward the kitchen, so I follow. “That’s it? “Nice? Leo Cruz is not nice.” She turns away from me and then spins back around, throwing her hands in the air. “He’s an angel. How dare you sum him up as nice.”
Whoa. Did not expect to walk into that. My mom is very even-keeled. I guess Aunt Val got the dramatic gene. “All right, all right. He’s great. I really enjoyed my time with him. Is that better?”
She crosses her arms and leans her back against the kitchen island. “A little.”
I slide my shoes off and sit on a bar stool. “So, Leo’s clearly won you over. How did you meet him?”
“We volunteer at the bird sanctuary together.”
“Of course.” Gosh this guy just keeps getting better and better. A sweet disposition and a great physique. I tried to ignore it, but the man is fit. The image of him in swim trunks earlier pops into my mind. He had some serious muscle definition. I’m embarrassed to admit, but I counted all six of his abs—despite my dazed state.
“He has a heart of gold. You should see him with his son, Benjamin. He’s a great dad, and he’s an extremely hard worker.”
“All I’m hearing is that he’s too good to be true.” I should have known there was a catch. I have great taste…in men that are out of my league. I mentally move Leo into a box next to Bronson labeled, “Never Gonna Happen.”
“Chloe Ann Reid. Look at you. You’re beautiful, successful, determined, kind…I could go on and on. Any guy would be lucky to have you…and Leo could be that guy. I’m telling you, he’s just the best.”
I blow out a laugh. “Did he hire you? If not, he should. You would make an excellent publicist.” I pause. “But, if Leo’s so great, why is he still single?”
Val gives me the side-eye. “I could ask you the same question.”
A puff of air darts out of my nose. “Dang, Aunt Val. Shots fired.”
She softens her face into a smile. “I’m just trying to make the point that everyone has a story. You should get to know Leo’s.” Aunt Val kisses my forehead. “I’m off to catch up on Love is Blind. Let me know if you need anything.”
I sit frozen as I ruminate on Aunt Val’s words. “Everyone has a story,” I say out loud. Suddenly, it hits me. That’s what the characters in my manuscript are missing. Their backstory. I grab my computer out of my backpack and throw open my laptop. Pulling up Google, I type “how to write a character’s backstory.”
After clicking on an article, I begin to voraciously read the first paragraph. I pause, deliberating on the tip that says, “Identify formative events and relationships in their life.” Thinking about my main character, Adelena, I draw a blank when it comes to specifics.
Linda was right. I don’t have enough life experience, or maybe more aptly, people experience. I’ve always been one to keep to myself. My college roommates were the closest friends I’ve ever had…and honestly, they forced me into friendship with them. When I wanted to stay in my room and study, someone would literally drag me out into the living room to eat ice cream or watch a movie with them.
All the adrenaline drains from my body. I’m a wallflower. I can’t force myself to be anything else.
I’m spent, so I close my laptop and walk over to my suitcase. There’s no way I can carry this thing up the stairs to my room. I’ll just have to bring my clothes on multiple trips. For now, I put on my gray, button-front, long sleeve pajama set. Then I snatch my toiletry bag and make my way up to the room Aunt Val said was mine.
As I enter it for the first time, I’m instantly enraptured by the white walls, beachy peach comforter on the king bed and a pristine view of the ocean. My new room is modern and minimalistic and clean. It’s perfect.
I climb into bed and snuggle down into the mattress. I really should get up to brush my teeth, but I can’t move. My body feels like it’s filled with sand. My eyes close.