Temptation on Ocean Drive - Jennifer Probst Page 0,66

afraid he was someone she couldn’t trust. Why had she been so hard on him?

To protect your family, the inner voice whispered. Remember? The same reason you told him you could never have a romantic relationship.

She parallel parked at the curb and sighed. The assurance she had done the right thing didn’t seem to fit as well any longer, and she didn’t know why. But she’d made her decision, and there was nothing else left to do.

She grabbed her purse and headed up the stairs. It was a lively night, with a decent crowd, and she had to wait in line for her order. “Be right with you, Bella,” Sean said. “We’re a bit behind. Want to grab a drink at the bar? Laura’s working.”

“Sure, thanks.” She walked to the bar and slid into the last seat on the end.

Laura flashed her a grin and headed over. She had a blonde crew cut, large hoop earrings, and gorgeous ink scrawled down her arms. She always wore a black tank top, no matter what the season. “Good to see you, Bella. How’s things at Sunshine?”

“Busy, which is good. Can’t wait till the end of this winter, though.”

Laura made a face. “Me, too. I keep picturing me at the Lobster House, drink in my hand, sun on my face, crappy weather behind us.”

“We’re on countdown. Ya gotta believe.”

She winked. “Sure do. What’ll you have?”

“Just a seltzer with lemon, please. Waiting on some takeout.” They chatted for a while, until Laura slipped to the far end of the bar. Bella checked her phone, then sat quietly, taking in the low chatter around her. Her gaze swung to the beach, perfectly silhouetted against the glass windows, and then she frowned, seeing someone familiar.

Gabe.

Her heart sped up, and she leaned closer, squinting. He was with a brunette, and he was smiling. She stood up from the stool to get a better peek, then almost gasped.

Devon. He was with Devon, and they were definitely on a date. She watched in slow motion as they encircled their wrists together, holding martini glasses up, heads bent close together. They sipped from their drinks, laughing as he spilled some over the edge. Devon grabbed a napkin and wiped it up, her hand reaching out to pat his arm, as if she were already familiar with his touch.

Nausea lurched in her gut. They’d dated before. When he first came to work, she remembered he had gotten involved with Devon rather quickly, and they were together for a short time before breaking up. He was never seen in a steady relationship again, and gossip peaked now and then that they were sometimes casual lovers when they weren’t seeing anyone else. Bella hadn’t heard Devon’s name mentioned by anyone recently, though, so she’d chalked it up to rumors.

But maybe not.

The image of them in bed together slammed through her brain. Her hand jerked, and her soda sloshed onto the bar.

“Bella! Your food’s ready!”

Her name echoed loudly in the air. She ducked down on instinct, not wanting him to see her and think she was spying, or following him, or doing uncool . . . stuff. She shoved cash at Sean. “Give this to Laura,” she whispered, handing him a five-dollar bill and grabbing the bags. “I gotta go.”

“Sure, sweetheart, have a great night.”

She raced down the stairs, refusing to look back, and didn’t feel safe until she was almost home. Shock raced through her, along with a terrible ache—the type of ache when you lose something you really, really wanted.

Or someone.

Gabe had moved on, just like she had wanted. Yes, it felt quick—a bit of a sting—but if he was waiting for almost three years to tell her his feelings, then it must’ve seemed as if he’d wasted enough time. Maybe Devon was really meant to be his match after all. Maybe he’d get the happy ending he’d always wanted.

She picked up Zoe. Ate the delicious food while she snuggled with her daughter and sister. Played a few games of rousing poker and watched Zoe beat her aunt for the very first time. Then went to bed.

She had everything she needed. She’d made her choice and had no right to regret or ponder if she’d made a terrible mistake. No right to wonder if she had left something behind that was more than an attraction, too afraid to allow it to grow, just in case.

Her life was steady. Her daughter was happy. Wasn’t it better to protect what she had rather than