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Chapter Twenty-Four

Author: Krista Lakes
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-29 19:42:56

“You ready to go?” Bastian asked, popping his head into my office.

I looked up in surprise. I had been so focused on my work that I had completely lost track of time.

“Um...” I looked at my almost complete report. With the gala and auction, I was behind on keeping track of all the financials for Bastian. “I just need to finish this and hit save. You go on ahead. I'll be right there.”

“Okay,” Bastian agreed. “See you in a bit.”

I could hear him talking to Ava in the hall. Another male voice that I assumed was Mr. Fairchild asked him a question, but by then they were too far down the hall for me to make out what was said. The front door opened and closed as Bastian, Ava, and Ava's parents left for the restaurant.

It only took me a couple of moments to finish entering the last bit of data and to press save. Somehow, these reports always seemed to get longer the more I had to do. I reached for the lid on my laptop just as a notification for an email came in. I thought about just ignoring
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    I couldn't sleep.The clock said I had been trying to sleep for the past three hours, but it felt more like an eternity. Bastian's sandwich lay heavy in my stomach since it was too knotted up with fear and heartbreak to actually digest any food.I kicked off my comforter and was immediately too cold. But it was too hot to sleep with it on. With a sigh, I got up and went to the thermostat for the fourth time tonight. I couldn't find the right temperature and I had a feeling it was more to do with me than the thermostat.I was hot with anger and cold with shame.Giving up on the thermostat, I put on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. Maybe a walk on the beach would put me in a better mood. The ocean was usually magic for heartbroken lovers, right?Yeah, to drown their sorrows, I answered myself bitterly. Still, walking the beach sounded like a better idea than tossing and turning in bed for another five hours.The house was silent as I crept to the back door and escaped out onto the porch.

  • Waterfall Kisses   Chapter Twenty-Five

    I took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of ocean, hot sand, growing trees, and the scent of Adele's amazing food. Other than Leo's cologne, it was possibly my favorite scent in the world. Outside the sun was just touching the horizon, turning the ocean into melted gold while the sky bruised purple in the distance. The crickets and frogs were already starting their nightly chorus, tuning their cries like an orchestra before a concert. I loved this place, this island so much.Leo wasn't on the porch, but I figured he had to be nearby. The bar to the right was slowly gaining patrons, so I knew he wasn't that direction. There was a small touristy gift shop to the left, but they were closed. I peeked inside, thinking of how I should get one of the conch shells and send it to Chloe.The sound of Leo's voice caught my attention. I followed it around the corner to the side of the building. It was a quiet spot where no one would bother him, so it made sense for him to have gone there. I could

  • Waterfall Kisses   Chapter Twenty-Four

    “You ready to go?” Bastian asked, popping his head into my office.I looked up in surprise. I had been so focused on my work that I had completely lost track of time.“Um...” I looked at my almost complete report. With the gala and auction, I was behind on keeping track of all the financials for Bastian. “I just need to finish this and hit save. You go on ahead. I'll be right there.”“Okay,” Bastian agreed. “See you in a bit.”I could hear him talking to Ava in the hall. Another male voice that I assumed was Mr. Fairchild asked him a question, but by then they were too far down the hall for me to make out what was said. The front door opened and closed as Bastian, Ava, and Ava's parents left for the restaurant.It only took me a couple of moments to finish entering the last bit of data and to press save. Somehow, these reports always seemed to get longer the more I had to do. I reached for the lid on my laptop just as a notification for an email came in. I thought about just ignoring

  • Waterfall Kisses   Chapter Twenty-Three

    It had been a good morning. A very good morning.I grinned as I approached the mansion, humming to myself and feeling good about the world and everything in it. Leo and I were officially a couple and my brother was okay with it. Things were finally going the way I had always imagined.A security guard waved as I approached, recognizing me and opening up the main gate. I walked in, shaking my head at the massive house in front of me.Soon, this mansion wouldn't be ours anymore. It had been sold as part of the auction, and in a few weeks, all of the furniture would be gone and we'd be back in New York. I was actually okay with selling it. I loved the location of the mansion, as well as the view, but the building was far too big and gaudy. It screamed wealth and money and that was the last thing I cared about.I much preferred the idea of a cute little two bedroom bungalow on the beach to the massive monstrosity full of old artwork and antique furniture designed to impress. I liked comfo

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