Second Dive (Kings of the Water #3) - Jasmin Miller Page 0,5

now, my main goal is to keep Noah at the restaurant long enough tonight to say what I want to say. To not have him leave the second he sees me. Even though I dare say my chances aren’t very good.

Not that I blame him.

I’ve tried putting myself in his shoes about five thousand times over the years. How would I have reacted if the roles were reversed? How would I react now?

Would I be happy to see him? Shocked? Disgusted?

Would I even give him the chance to talk to me?

So many different options that make my head spin and my heart rate pick up in sync with my nerves.

“Hey.” My mom grabs my chair by the back and spins it around before she crouches down so we’re eye level. “I think you’re incredibly brave for doing this. I know you’ve been carrying around a lot of guilt over how things ended with Noah, and I’m sure it doesn’t feel good. Guilt never does, and there’s probably a good reason for it. Your dad would be so proud of you.”

My dad.

Of course, she has to bring him up.

He’s one of the reasons I moved back here with my mom, to follow through with the things I’d promised him. To take good care of my mom, of course. But also, to not have any regrets, to right past wrongs . . . to do the right thing.

Why does it have to be so hard though?

“Now, let’s suck it up and get you ready. Just because you’re about to beg the love of your life for forgiveness doesn’t mean you can’t look like the goddess you are.”

“Ugh, Mom.” I sound every bit the petulant child I feel right now. “No one said anything about begging or love-of-my-life stuff.”

“I know.” She presses a kiss to my temple before pushing back up and spinning my chair once more.

We share a silent moment when our gazes meet in the vanity mirror. She knows how hard all of this is for me, especially my dad’s passing and making the decision to seek out Noah. It’s been over a year now since we lost Dad, but oftentimes, it still feels like it was just yesterday. And I know that bringing him up pierces her heart a little every time too.

Things have slowly gotten better for us over the last few months. We’ve actually shared several moments where we laughed together about a memory of Dad instead of being sad. Those moments still don’t happen often, but they’ve definitely become more frequent.

The bathroom door flies open and Francesco blasts in. He’s been my mother’s best friend for as long as I can remember, making him like an honorary uncle before he became my real one by marrying my mom’s brother.

I feel like there’s an uncle joke somewhere in there.

Either way, I love him, both of my uncles, and I missed them like crazy after we moved. Thank goodness for video chatting, and their love for road-tripping down the California coastline.

“Ciao, bella. Look at you, Chloe. I knew the lavender hair would look gorgeous on you. I officially approve.” The corners of his eyes crinkle in that familiar way, even though I haven’t seen him as often as I’d like in the last decade since my parents moved us from Northern to Southern California practically overnight.

“Thank you. I’m glad Eadie talked me into it this week.”

“Me too.” He shares a look with my mom before glancing back at me. “If that boy isn’t nice to you, I’m sure I know a few guys who’d love a shot with you.”

My mom shakes her head at me while I grin. Francesco tried to set me up with one of his nephews once when I was a teenager. That was before he and Uncle Cody became a thing and then . . . well, then, Noah happened.

Which brings me back to what he just said. “You know I’m not looking for anything. I just want him to know the truth.”

Francesco purses his lips and nods. “Uh-huh, sure. Have you seen that man lately? I’m not sure you’ll be able to help yourself. Especially with all of those feelings still involved too.”

My ribs tighten, and I shake my head. “It’s been ten years since we were together, so there definitely aren’t any feelings anymore. For all I know, he still hates my guts and will leave the second he realizes it’s me.”

My mom tilts her head. “Orrrrrr he might not. Give him a