Chasing the Tide

Chapter Eight: The Reckoning

Lila folded her arms, staring at Noah as the ocean breeze ruffled his hair. “So, what exactly do you want to talk about?”

Noah shifted his weight, his easy confidence faltering for the first time since she met him. “I don’t know. You tell me. Last night felt like something. But maybe it was just the party, the drinks... maybe I’m reading too much into it.”

Lila exhaled, her heart twisting. She should have shut this down immediately. She should have been packing for her wedding, taking Cotton’s calls instead of dodging them. But instead, here she was, standing on the porch of a beach house, wanting more time with Noah.

“It’s complicated,” she admitted.

Noah nodded slowly, as if considering his next words carefully. “I get that. But Lila, don’t do what’s easy. Do what makes you happy.”

Her phone vibrated in her pocket. Cotton. Again. The weight of her reality pressed down on her, but Noah’s words lingered.

“I should go,” she said finally.

Noah nodded, but the disappointment in his eyes was unmistakable. “Yeah. See you around, Lila.” She watched him walk to his car and decided it was time she came clean with herself and Cotton.