Beautiful Chances (The Beautiful Series) Read Free Page A

maneuver, I felt the heat to my bones. With a complete stranger? Time for bed, crazy.
    As his head slowly lowered to mine, his lips parted for a smile, and I could feel his breath on my face. His body smelled of a clean, manly soap. A quiver shot straight up my spine as I inhaled his scent, deeper this time. Squeezing my fingers into my palms, I caught myself from leaning closer into him.
    “Thank you…” I breathed unevenly. “For making sure I got home safely.”
    “You’re welcome,” he replied, his eyes reflecting the soft glimmering of the porch light.
    After he handed me my bag, I tried to take another deep breath and calm my nerves. I didn’t normally react this way to men, so I had no idea why I was reacting so strongly to Kyle.
    As I turned to unlock my door, I stuttered, “N-night.”

    When I got ready for bed, I replayed the last few minutes of talking with Kyle.
    “Someone who doesn’t plan to be a stranger for long.”
    By the look in his eyes, I had a feeling that he’d truly meant it.
    Do I want to see Kyle again? Do I want to date? In a few years, yes, but I didn’t think that I was prepared right now. I was supposed to be working on that new chapter in my life, and I didn’t think it was ready to include a man. I was still trying to heal the broken pieces in my heart.

Tuesday morning, I gave up on sleep at six. My mind was wide-awake with thoughts of Kyle, so I decided to go for a quick jog. It was early, and the beach would be clear this time of day. I loved a good sunrise, so it was the perfect way to start a day.
    The sun was beating along the water, waves were crashing against the rocks, and a light breeze was cooling my skin during my run. My iPod was set to shuffle as I rocked out my five miles.
    Luke caught me just as I was rounding the corner to go back to my cottage.
    “Good morning, Lil. Here is your egg and cheese bagel,” Luke said with a mocking look. He loved that he knew all my favorite foods.
    Men and food—it should be a love language.
    “Thanks, Luke.” I smiled and tucked my iPod into the small pocket of my workout shorts. “One of these days, I’ll change it up, so you have to bring me something else.”
    “Sunshine, the day you make a change in your order, I’ll go out with a painted face. We both know you’ll never leave me for another flavored bagel,” Luke said with a smirk.
    This was true. I loved egg and cheese bagels.
    “Someday, Luke. Someday, I’ll be adventurous and try new food,” I vowed. “See you around. I’m off for a shower!” I waved and jogged off to my cottage.

    After my shower, a trip into town for house supplies, and a quick power cleaning in the cottage, I treated myself to another day in the sun. I wanted to write more today, too. In order to do that, I needed to make a decision in my plot first.
    As I rounded the sidewalk and the beach came into view, I quickly noticed the kids from last night must have had quite the party at the bonfire. The ashes were still hot as I passed the burn pit, beer bottles were tossed in the pit and around the area, and garbage was scattered everywhere.
    I shook my head in disgust. Management would not be happy about the evidence left behind. It was a pretty laid-back beach, and all the locals wanted it to stay that way. Hopefully, others wouldn’t ruin it for the rest of us. We didn’t want curfews and rule boards everywhere.
    I decided to walk over and quickly pick up the garbage. I tossed it into the closest trash, which was only a few feet away.
    The teens made me think of how quiet my life had been growing up with no major parties, very few drinking experiences, and no serious boyfriends. Although, it wasn’t like my cousins would have let me have a serious boyfriend in high school anyway.
    I’d made the mistake of holding hands with my boyfriend, James Everson, my freshman year in high school. By fourth period, my cousin, Blake, had chased down James and given him a bloody nose. Suddenly, James