Chapter 1
Sydney
I had the same routine to follow every morning. I woke up at the crack of dawn, and after a quick brushing of teeth, I changed into my running clothes and jogged straight out of the house and on to the beach. On an average; I ran six miles a day, every day and had been doing so for the past three years, ever since I moved to Tramore Beach.
With my earphones safely stuck in place, I ran with music blasting in my ears while the sky turned from a deep orange to a clearer blue as the sun began to rise. This was the time of the day that I got all to myself. A chance to think clearly and plan for the day ahead.
I was now the sole care taker of the B&B that my grandmother had left me. A prime location at the edge of the beach which gave guests a private entrance to the beach itself. Sounds of waves crashing, the voices of seagulls and a great vantage point for the rising and setting of the sun were some of the main selling points of the place.
Granny had run it by herself after my grandfather died twenty years ago. I barely knew him, and I saw granny once a year when my parents brought me to visit. We lived in San Fransisco, that’s where I’d grown up and where I thought my life would be. Till granny died, in the same year that I lost my job.
I was twenty-four, with no job and no recommendation letter. I was sleeping with my boss, and his wife discovered us together and he had no choice but to fire me. It wasn’t like I believed we would end up together, but he had led me to believe that he cared for me. Even though I would never have admitted it, I had still harbored hopes that one day he might have left his wife. He was a powerful, rich businessman who gave me all the attention I craved in my early twenties. But when his wife found out, it felt like I had lost everything.
Not only had I lost my job, but I’d lost a man I cared for and my reputation. I knew I couldn’t live in San Fransisco anymore. I had to get out. I wanted people to stop talking about me. Forget about the girl they called a “home wrecker” and I knew people in my professional circle were sniggering behind my back. Even he, James, had stopped receiving my calls. The last text I got from him was one in which he told me that I needed to move on with my life.
So, when granny died and left me her B&B, I grabbed the opportunity. I moved to Tramore Beach, as far away from San Fransisco as possible and that was three years ago. Other than visiting my parents over Christmas, I hadn’t left this small town in all that time. I was happy here, trying to recover my heart and my dignity.
I had made a life for myself here. I looked after my guests in the same traditions that granny had set for in hospitality. I advertised the B&B online, something which granny had never done, so we received more guests now than ever before. It was a meagre but steady income, and enough to get me by here. Technically, I aspired for nothing and I tried to convince myself that I was happy here. I had my freedom, I kept to myself, I was a good host and I tried to live an honest life.
I ran now till I’d worked up a sweat. At this hour of the day, the beach was empty as usual and I didn’t expect to bump into anyone, other than maybe Leo. The moment I thought about Leo Keegan, I sighed. Blond, blue eyes, rugged good looks and a muscular body. He ran every day around the same time, the perfect daily eye candy! He was a local bad boy musician, who played at the pub and charmed a new woman every night into sleeping with him. Leo had that rough carefree musician appeal in him, one that even I couldn’t deny.
Sometimes, when I found myself at the pub, I’d watch him play and smile to myself while some new tourists swooned in the corner. I knew I stood no chance with him, I wasn’t his skinny blond giggling type. But he was nice to me, to everyone and there was no reason for me to not be nice to him as well.
I had been single for too long, in fact I had been single forever. It wasn’t like James and I had an actual relationship. We were only sleeping together. I was only sleeping with my boss. But that experience had changed something in me. I wasn’t looking for a relationship anymore. I lusted after Leo but that was it. I wanted nothing more from him or anybody.
I saw him in the distance now, just his silhouette, as he jogged towards me. I kept up my pace, my heart was racing. Crossing paths with Leo every morning was one of the highlights of my days. I couldn’t help but smile as he drew closer. I could see the sweat dripping down the front of his t-shirt, his short buzzcut blond hair were streaked with dark strands. Even in the dim light of dawn, I could see how his blue eyes sparkled.
Leo was slowing his pace, smiling at me as well. We usually simply nodded and crossed each other, but today he seemed like he was going to stop to talk to me. My cheeks flushed just at the thought of that, even though it might not have been true at all.
Eventually, he did stop, just a few feet away from me and I stopped too and yanked the earphones out of my ears. We were both panting. I could see the tough muscles on his chest rise and fall as he doubled down to catch his breath. He was in a sleeveless loose gray t-shirt, which revealed the chiseled sinews of his strong arms.
“Morning, Sydney,” he said finally, looking up at me. His smile revealed perfect white teeth. He always had a stubble and today too, a darker shade of brown stubble shaded his jaws. I was already weak in the knees.
“Hi, Leo,” I said, in as casual a voice as possible. He straightened up again and I licked my lips. What could Leo Keegan possibly want from me?
“How’s business?” he asked and I nodded my head enthusiastically.
“Great, business is great. I have a couple of guests staying with me this whole week,” I told him and Leo was smiling still.
“That’s good. Your guests boost business for the stores and pubs around here, and give me a bigger audience. You’re doing a good job of keeping Tramore on the map,” he said and I felt my cheeks flush. I wondered how terrible I looked.
If I’d known that today Leo would decide to stop and talk to me, I would have at least taken a shower before going for the run. Maybe put on my new pair of shorts. I wasn’t prepared and I could kick myself. Leo didn’t seem to care though, and he was staring at me, at my face, my neck and my hair. Like he was studying me closely.
“Hey, I was wondering if you’re coming down to the pub tomorrow evening. I’m performing my new set. The more the merrier,” he said and I raised my brows. Was he seriously inviting me to come see him play? I tucked some of my hair behind my ears and gushed.
“Sure, of course I’ll come. What time do you go on?” I asked him, feeling completely flattered.
“Nine. The usual. Someone told me you worked in the music business in San Fransisco?” he said and I shook my head.
“Oh no, I was just the secretary to a producer. I wasn’t actually involved in the actual music making process,” I said, still blushing while Leo passed me one of his wide friendly smiles. The ones I’d noticed he reserved for women he was trying to woo. Was Leo trying to woo me? I could feel my knees going weak.
“It doesn’t matter. I’d be happy with any opinion you have. Your thoughts on my music will be worth more than the opinions of everyone in this godforsaken place,” he said with a laugh and I laughed too. I was flattered and nervous that he actually wanted my opinion. That he thought I was important enough to even tell him what I thought of his music. That he would actually value what I had to say. I was back to being a giddy teenager again around him.
“I can’t promise you life changing advice,” I said and we both laughed again.
Then, to my surprise; Leo suddenly reached out and placed a hand on my shoulder. He had bent his head lower to catch my eye and once our gazes were locked, he smiled at me again.
“I’d greatly appreciate it, Sydney. I’m looking forward to seeing you tomorrow. Maybe after, we could grab a drink or something?” he said and I gulped. I couldn’t believe what he was saying.
I wasn’t naive, I knew Leo Keegan was a player and an absolute charmer. But I’d seen his type, all beautiful, all from out of town and I was flattered to think that he thought I was even attractive enough to hit on.
“Sure, yeah, of course. If we have time,” I said, fumbling with my words. I felt the squeeze of Leo’s hand on my shoulder, before he stepped away from me.
“See you then,” he said and waved. I managed to wave back in time as he started jogging away from me again and I was left staring after him.
Leo Keegan had just asked me out. Well, not technically asked me out…but kinda. I had a huge silly smile on my face as I started running again, in the opposite direction. I knew I’d be thinking about him, about the next night; all day. I hadn’t been on an actual date in three years, ever since I moved here. Other than Leo, nobody else here was dating material. Nobody I’d found remotely attractive and I had a strict rule against entertaining any advances from my guests. Besides, it was mostly couples who came to stay at the B&B. And I was happy to keep it that way. I was thinking less and less of love and romance as time went by. I was content in believing that I might be single and alone all my life.
And even Leo was always out of reach. I’d admired him from a distance, because who wouldn’t? But that was all. I’d never thought that we might actually stand a chance, that he would even find me remotely attractive. Now, I was worried that I wouldn’t have anything to wear, that he’d be disappointed with me the next night.
I decided to cut my running short, and I changed course and started jogging back towards the B&B. I had no new guests arriving that day, and the current couple were supposed to leave in the evening.
My next task of the day would be to prepare breakfast, then give the place a good clean. I mostly had domestic tasks through the day, which also gave me time to dabble in my only great passion in life - baking.
By the time I arrived back at the house, I was panting again. I could hear the couple upstairs. They must have just woken up. I put the kettle on for tea and ran upstairs to my room for a quick shower. My heart was still racing. My mind was preoccupied for the first time in three years and I just couldn’t stop smiling.