Chapter One

Abby's POV

I stared at my laptop screen, absentmindedly, my mind reeling. I had a bit of work to round up on before leaving for California tomorrow morning but so far, it wasn't easy.

“Miss, would you like anything else?” A waiter asked, a polite smile on her face.

I forced a simple smile up my lips. “I'm alright, thank you.”

Was it so obvious now that I no longer went by Mrs but now Miss?

The divorce papers hadn't been finalized yet but after speaking to my lawyer last night, I discovered it would be in a couple more days.

Gathering all my things together, I stuff them into my purse, pay at the check-out desk and head outside to my car.

It was a warm sunny day in the city of New York —perfect time to go on a walk or sit at the park.

Just as I had gotten into my car, my phone rings. Sarah.

“Hey sis, guess who's finally home,” she says, breaking into a sing-song. A light smile forms across my lips.

“That's amazing, I'm so proud of you,” I teased and she scoffs.

“You make it sound like I'm some prodigal daughter or something.”

I start the engine and begin to pull out of my parking space. “That's because you are. You're the only one who hasn't been home in three years. At some point, mum started wondering if you no longer live on planet earth again.”

“Well, that's a fair point.” Sarah chuckled. “When will you be back? You know it's not a vacation without you.”

“I'll be coming in tomorrow. I should be there by twelve noon.”

“Great! Maybe later we can go to the beach. If you're down for that,” Sarah suggests and I can't help but smile.

“That would be perfect,” I reply turning into the busier streets of Manhattan. “I'll talk to you later sis, I'm driving.”

Now, with Sarah home, there was definitely something to look forward to.

_____

Sometimes I forgot how much of a bad idea it was to travel home on a weekend, especially to Malibu. It was like half the state was coming down here.

Beads of sweat lined my forehead. Every once in a while, Sarah would call in to check on me and half the time I was still stuck in traffic.

After four hours of navigating through traffic and several back roads I always took whenever I came down here, I was finally home.

The beach house wasn't so far away now.

Seated in my rental car, I come to a stop at a red light. Loosening my grip on the steering wheel, I run my fingers through my wind blown hair, trying to fix it up a little bit.

A black Range Rover pulls up next to me and I find myself looking into the car. Seated behind behind the wheel is a young man, good-looking, broad shoulders and everything lavish.

As though feeling a pair of eyes on him, he redirects his gaze to me and offers a small smile.

I want to smile back too — out of courtesy of course— but something about that smile, that face, looked a little too familiar. I find myself frowning.

For a minute, I stared at him, trying to figure out where I had seen that smile. The red light switches to green and all the cars start to move.

I step down on the gas pedal and zip off down the road but I don't fail to miss a glint in his eyes.

Finally, the beach house starts to come into view and I can feel a comforting type of warmth spread throughout my body.

Seated on the front porch is Sarah, waiting eagerly for me. She spots the rental car pull up and rises to her feet.

“You're finally here!” She squeals excitedly and wraps her arms around me, the moment I step out, engulfing me in a warm hug.

“Where's mum?”

“She went to the grocery store to get a few things. She'll be back soon,” Sarah replies and moves to get my suitcase from the trunk.

“How was your trip?” Sarah asks. “Tell me you've still got some strength for a walk on the beach.”

I want to oblige and tell her how tired I am but when she offers to pay for lunch at Sandy's Booth, I can't help but accept her offer.

“Sure but I've gotta freshen up first. I smell like exhaust fumes.

Inside, the house looks a bit different, the slightest hint of lavender lingering in the air. My room is not any different, just a lot cleaner. The sheets looked new, the curtains too and the furniture dusted clean.

“Fifteen minutes and we're out of here okay?” Sarah says as she wheels my suitcase in.

Twenty minutes later and I'm finally done, now changed into a pair of butt jean shorts and a halter top.

“Looks like we've got a visitor,” Sarah points out, hinting at the black Range Rover that'd pulled up outside.

A frown quickly forms across my forehead. Surely, this was the same Range Rover that'd pulled up next to me at the traffic light.

Sarah moves first to help mum while I watch, my eyes fixed squarely on the man behind the wheel.

Even now that we're both holding eye contact, there was no denying that I'd seen that face before.

“Oh my gosh, Abby!” Mum exclaims. “You're home! I didn't know you were coming today.”

Pulling her into a warm hug, I find myself breathing in her scent, like I always do. She smelt like home— with a hint of lavender and vanilla.

“You look lovely,” she says when she pulls away from me.

“Thank you. It's good to be home again,” I chuckle.

“So, who's your friend?” Sarah asks, eyeing the young man. Something glimmers in her eyes, interest.

The young man in question gets out of the car, now standing at a height of six feet. His eyes briefly fall on Sarah and then mum.

Realization glimmers in his eyes. “Abby Winster?”

Sarah stares between the both of us, wearing the same confused expression I have on. “You two know each other?”

“I don't recall ever meeting you, I'm sorry-”

“It’s Anthony… Anthony Wells from highschool?”

Jesus.