Chapter 25
“You wouldn’t respond to my texts.” Hayes slipped his hands into his jean pockets. “What else was I supposed to do?”
“Oh, I don’t know. How about take a hint, Hayes?” Kaiah nearly spat the words at him. “I told you that unless you had something to tell me about George or you had
a lead on a story for me, we have nothing to talk about.”
George sat back on his haunches and patted Kaiah’s thighs with his front paws. She rubbed his head, and a burst of love surged
through her. She’d missed her little buddy so much!
“We have plenty to talk about, Ky.” He jammed his thumb toward the front door. “For starters, who are those two?”
“None of your business.”
“New boyfriend?”
She wasn’t going to take his bait. He had no right to know anything about her life. He’d lost that privilege when he chose
his career over their relationship. “How’d you find me?”
“It wasn’t difficult. I read your latest articles—which are good, by the way—so I flew out to Wilmington, rented a car, and came here. Then I started asking around and figured out where you’re staying.”
She massaged George’s head. “Asking around?”
“I’m a journalist too, remember? I’m kind of used to posing questions to strangers to find things out. I stopped at a few
stores and talked to people at the festival.” He rocked back on his heels. “Everyone’s seen the pretty blonde reporter, and
the rumor is that she’s staying with a firefighter. I kept asking until someone told me where to find your firefighter.” He eyed her up and down. “So you went from a journalist to a firefighter, huh?”
Fury swept a fire through her veins. “You need to leave. Now.” She pointed to his SUV.
“Hold on, Ky.” He held his hands up in surrender. “Just talk to me. Please.”
She huffed in frustration, and George whined, pushing his head under her hands. She hadn’t even realized she’d stopped petting
him. She rubbed his ears, and his big smile returned.
Hayes continued to watch her, and the months of anger and hurt that had accumulated in her gut merged together in a white-hot
fury.
“Fine. If you won’t leave, then I will.” She began to back away from them, and George followed her. She started toward the
stairs leading to the apartment while trying to fish her keys from the depths of her backpack purse. Where were they? Why
did she always carry so much stuff in her bag? Wait—she didn’t even need keys! The doorknob opened with a passcode. Hayes
had her all discombobulated. She had to stop giving him so much power over her.
George whined, and she stopped moving. He rested against her leg, and her chest squeezed with love. She needed Hayes to go and her dog to stay.
“Ky, please,” Hayes pleaded with her. “Just listen to what I have to say.”
She glared at him. “If I listen, will you leave?”
“Yes, I promise.”
“Fine.” She sat on the landscape timber at the edge of the driveway and continued moving her fingers through her dog’s satin
fur. “You have five minutes.”
Reid moved a slat in one of the shades facing the front of the house. “Piper, get ready for your bath, okay?” he called toward
the hallway.
He winced at the vibration in his voice, but he couldn’t help it. A storm of emotions raged in his chest—fury, anxiety, and
grief. It was bad enough that her car was ready, but having her ex-boyfriend waiting for them when they got home nearly sent
Reid over the edge. He should’ve known that clown would show up when Kaiah said she hadn’t responded to his text messages.
What man in his right mind wouldn’t fight for Kaiah?
“Are you watching Miss Kaiah and her friend?” Piper, wearing her Little Mermaid robe, stood in the den doorway.
Shame bloomed in Reid’s cheeks. What kind of example was he setting for his daughter by spying out the window? But he couldn’t
lie either. “Yep.”
Her little nose scrunched. “Why is he here?”
“I don’t know.” But it couldn’t be good. Most likely Hayes was begging for her to forgive him and go to wherever he was living,
and he was using her adorable dog as a bargaining chip.
Seriously, what a jerk!
Reid hoped Kaiah didn’t fall back under the spell of the guy standing in his driveway, who drove a Porsche and wore designer
clothes. It was obvious the guy was successful, but he didn’t think Kaiah would be fooled by that. At least he hoped not.
“Let’s get your bath, Piper.”
While his daughter talked nonstop about the carnival and Kaiah’s dog, Reid wallowed in his anger and hurt over Kaiah. He longed
to know what she and Hayes were discussing, but he feared he knew the outcome—Kaiah was going to leave, and he and Piper would
face another loss and heartbreak.
A strange emotion crept through Reid, something ugly and almost painful that squeezed the air from his lungs.
“Are you okay, Daddy?” Piper asked while Reid helped her into her pajamas.
“Yup.” He brushed her hair.
“Can you and Kaiah read me a story?”
Reid shook his head. “She’s with her friend and George.”
“I want to see George.” Piper made a beeline toward the hallway.
“Piper, no.”
Reid rushed after her, but she was already out the front door.
“I’m sorry,” Hayes dropped down onto the landscape timber on the other side of George.
Kaiah eyed him with suspicion. “You mentioned that in your texts.”
“I mean it. I shouldn’t have run out on you. And I shouldn’t have taken George with me.”
Although he appeared contrite, she’d learned not to take this man at his word. Instead of responding, she continued to scratch George’s chin.
“I love you, Kaiah, and I want you back.”
A bark of laughter exploded from her throat. “Could’ve fooled me.”
“I mean it, Ky. And I’m here with a proposal.”
“A proposal?” A year ago, that’s all she would’ve wanted. But now? Yeah, not so much.
“Come to California with me,” he said. “Let’s try again.”
“No.” She stood and swiped her hands over her shorts, sending tufts of George’s golden hair floating through the air around her.
“I have a proposition for you.”
“I thought it was a proposal,” she quipped.
“I got promoted. Now I’m a managing editor at Global Media. I was instructed to hire an editor for the travel section, and I thought of you. You’re the most talented and qualified
journalist I know. That’s why I’ve been trying to get in touch with you.”
Her head started to spin. Another job offer? How was it raining jobs all of a sudden?
She tried to focus and comprehend his words. “What are you talking about?”
“You heard me.” Hayes angled his body toward hers. “You’ll write stories for the travel magazine, which is in print and online.
The salary is at least twice what you make now, probably more than that.” He swept his hand through the air. “It’s full-time
and includes benefits—medical, dental, vision, all that, plus a 401(k). You’ll have an office and everything.”
Her eyes widened, and she froze. Now she had a second offer that would be another step toward her goal of working for Travel and Culture. This was what she’d been working for since college. She’d finally travel and write about exotic places and people. It was
everything . . .
“It’s your dream job.” Hayes echoed her thought.
Her hands began to sweat. “I-I thought you went there as a staff writer. How did you get the managing editor job so fast?”
she whispered. But then she got control of her wits, and she sat up straighter. “Wait, forget I asked. I don’t even care.
Just go home, Hayes. Oh, and I’m taking George. I’m not negotiating on that.” She grabbed George’s leash and started toward
the stairs leading to the apartment.
“Wait.” Hayes ran after her, grabbed her arm, and spun her to face him. “Kaiah, how do you even know this guy? Is he married?”
Kaiah tried to yank her arm away, but his hand only clamped down tighter around her bicep. “Hayes, don’t you dare touch—”
“Hi again!” Piper bounced toward them. “I wanted to say good night to George and Kaiah.”
Kaiah ignored Piper, keeping her glare on her ex. “Hayes, let go of me or I’ll scream,” Kaiah warned through clenched teeth,
and he released her. She pulled Piper against her midsection and reveled in the smell of her clean hair. “Sweet dreams, honey.”
The bubble of grief that had been expanding inside her all day long burst, and she swallowed a sob.
Piper pulled away. “Miss Kaiah? Why are you crying?”
“I just love you so much,” she whispered, holding back more tears.
Piper kissed her cheek. “I love you too, Miss Kaiah.”
When Kaiah stood, her gaze landed on a large figure leaning against the frame of the front door.
I love you too, Reid.
The thought nearly stole her breath away.
Reid’s expression remained frigid while he walked to the edge of the driveway and crossed his arms over his wide chest.
Kaiah faced Hayes. “I need you to know that things are over between us.” She sent him a steely glare. “But since I’m interested in furthering my career, I’ll let you tell me more about this job. Let’s meet for breakfast in the morning at Pancake Palace. Nine o’clock.”
Hayes seemed relieved. “Great.”
“Now go,” she hissed.
Hayes turned to walk to the Porsche, then looked back over his shoulder at Kaiah. “See you tomorrow.” Then he climbed into
the SUV and backed out of the driveway.
Piper hugged George and began telling him how much she loved him.
Kaiah tried to decode Reid’s icy stare as he watched Hayes’s Porsche rumble into the night.
“Reid,” she began, but he continued to focus in the direction of where Hayes’s SUV had gone. “Reid, please look at me.” She
could hear the tremble in her voice. He finally met her plea with a guarded expression. “I had no idea he was going to show
up today. I hadn’t responded to him, and I never told him where I was staying.”
“No big deal.” He took three steps away from her. “Piper, it’s getting late.” He pointed to the sky where the sun had begun
to set.
Kaiah followed him. “Reid, wait. Talk to me.”
He swallowed. “You and Hayes have a history. Of course he came after you.” He shrugged, but his expression was anything but
casual. “I’m happy for you two.”
“I’m over him, Reid.” Her voice sounded strained. “I didn’t tell him I’d go with him.”
Reid watched her. “I wouldn’t blame you if you did.”
“Do you mean that?” Her voice hitched, and her body felt heavy with grief.
“Come on, Piper,” Reid said. “Let’s go.”
Piper kissed George again. “Night night, doggie.” Then she hugged Kaiah’s waist. “Good night, Miss Kaiah.”
After Kaiah kissed Piper’s head, the little girl flounced toward the front door.
Kaiah studied Reid. “Let’s talk about this, okay?” she asked. “Maybe after she’s in bed?”
He rubbed a spot on his sternum with the heel of his hand and shook his head. “There’s nothing more to say, Kaiah. I never
really expected you to stay, and I could tell that you really never intended to.” His cold expression sent a chill through
her. “It’s been fun. But it’s over now.”
Her eyes brimmed with tears, and she brushed them away. His words had cut her to the bone.
“You don’t mean that.” Her voice was a strained whisper.
“Come on, Daddy!” Piper hollered from the front door.
“Good night, Kaiah.” His deep voice sounded rough. “Thanks again for everything. Have a safe trip home, or wherever you wind
up next.” Then he turned on his heel and stalked into his house.
As she watched him go, an ache started in her belly and worked its way up to her chest as her heart began to shatter.
Reid kept his eyes locked on the ceiling in his bedroom later that night. He’d been tossing and turning for hours while his
last conversation with Kaiah replayed in his mind.
It had torn him in two to tell her to go with Hayes, but he knew it was the best solution.
He could tell as soon as he set his eyes on Hayes that he had plenty to give to Kaiah.
Plenty of money. Plenty of stories to write.
An opportunity to explore the world and achieve the dreams she’d had since she was a kid. All Reid had to offer was his heart.
Reid pressed his hand to his forehead while a headache throbbed. He felt like an idiot for falling for this woman when he
knew as soon as he’d met her that she was going places—far, far away from the little town of Coral Cove. But he’d been attracted
to her the moment he’d seen her walk into the Roast Shack. He wasn’t just drawn to her beauty; he’d fallen for her sense of
humor, her generous spirit, her intelligence, her work ethic. She had not only written the articles that had drawn the crowd
to their festival, but she had also rolled up her sleeves and helped make it all happen. Aside from that, Kaiah was the first
woman who had not only captured his heart but also captured Piper’s.
Groaning, he rolled to his side. How on earth was he going help Piper heal when he had no idea how he’d ever get over losing
Kaiah himself?
Reid nestled deeper under the covers. He had to find a way to get through this. He’d already endured one loss. How would he
recover from a second one?
But he knew one thing for certain—he’d never be the same after Kaiah left Coral Cove.