For a week, Lily worked on her sketch, tearing up version after version, only to start over again. Each day, Josh arrived with laptop in hand and they worked side by side. It felt easy, right, and she began to believe in herself and her art again, but something was still holding her back.

She shaded the arching floral limb that draped down above the couple’s heads. She’d made it further this time, closer to completing the couple. She took a long breath, then lightly outlined the woman’s hair and face. Her hand tightened as she moved to the man’s head, his frame. She squeezed the pencil so hard that she lost control and it slid too far, leaving a deep, dark groove across the page. She tossed the pencil down and wadded up the paper. “No good. It’s no good.”

“Shh.” Josh scooted his laptop to the side and took her into his arms. “It was better. Each one you draw is better than the last. The emotion, the depth. It’s perfection. You’re perfection.”

She swallowed her disappointment. “I…I’m still unable to draw the people. Why?”

“Maybe because you’re still unable to let go of what that man did to you. He took your confidence and I’m guessing your heart, too.”

“No, it’s not that. I promise it isn’t him.” She sighed and leaned into Josh. “I want to do this. I want to get myself back. I want to save your company and return to New York and restore my reputation.”

“I know, but maybe you’re trying too hard. You need to relax.” He spun her around to face him and rubbed her shoulders. She closed her eyes as the tension subsided.

“I hear you can build a fire on the beach here.”

“Mm-hmm,” she managed between sighs.

“Do you want to take a walk on the beach at sunset today? I was thinking we could light a fire and hang out and watch the stars.”

She lowered her chin to her chest, still keeping her eyes closed. “Sounds perfect.”

He cupped her cheeks, lifted her face and kissed her forehead. One of the ten spots on her head and face he constantly paid attention to, but never her lips. They still hadn’t kissed. If this continued, she’d throw him down on the floor and go in for a lip lock.

“Don’t you have to head back to New York again on Monday?”

“For a meeting, yeah. I’ll be back on Wednesday, though.”

She shook her head. “Doesn’t your company need you? Aren’t you sick of this sleepy little beach town?”

“You trying to get rid of me? Allen’s keeps things running smoothly. Besides, I’ve grown to love the ocean breeze, even the sand. I don’t mind it anymore.” He retrieved his laptop and slid it into his bag. “Did I see firewood on the golf cart earlier?”

“Yeah, but I washed the blanket, so grab that from on top of the dryer. I’ll grab some fruit and bottles of water.” She retrieved some supplies from the fridge then met him at the golf cart. “Do you think Allen and Connie want to join us?”

“No. He took her on a date, just the two of them. I think they’re getting pretty close.”

Lily started the golf cart and backed out of the garage. “Allen’s a good guy, right?”

“The best. I’ve known him since college. Why? You worried about your sister? He isn’t a player. Nothing like me.” He laughed, but she didn’t think it was funny.

She drove down the road and crossed the main highway to the beach where they took the path down to the very tip of the peninsula. “You’ve dated a lot?”

“I was just kidding.”

“I know, but I’m still curious. I know everything else about you. When and why you left your father’s business, why you started Raymond Advertising, where you went to college. I know all of that, but nothing about the type of women you’ve dated.” She parked then turned off the cart. “We walk from here. Grab the firewood.”

He hopped down then quickly blocked her path. “Listen, I dated. I’ve had relationships, but most of the girls threw themselves at me to the point where I lost interest quickly. But you’re nothing like them. You’re the first girl I’ve ever had to chase, literally. You’re unique and special. I can’t explain it.”

“I see. So, how long will it take until you’re bored of me?” She stepped around him, leaving him with his mouth hanging open. “I’m not supposed to tell you this,” she continued as she walked ahead of him, “but Allen already informed Connie about your reputation. I know about Natalie.”

He ran after her and held out his free hand. “Stop. Talk to me. You’ve heard a warning, but not the whole truth. Not even Allen knows the real reason I broke up with Natalie and kicked her out of the apartment.” He sighed and ran his free hand through his hair. “I’d hoped that she wasn’t like the others, approaching me because of my family’s wealth, but she was far worse. She ran up a huge amount of debt in my name. All she ever cared about was money. She pushed me to take over my parents’ vacuum cleaner company even though she knew it wasn’t what I wanted to do with my life. She saw it as a free meal ticket. It didn’t matter if I was unhappy as long as she wouldn’t have to work or contribute to our lives. The minute I realized who she truly was, I wanted nothing to do with her. I didn’t break up with her because she didn’t interest me anymore. I broke up with her because I had gotten to know the real her, the side of herself she’d kept hidden for ten months. The one that lied and stole from me.”

Lily lowered her head in shame. “I’m sorry. I thought—”

“That when you finished the drawing I’d bail? That I’d use you?” He shook his head and backed away, his eyes scanning the path around them. Then he looked to the sky. After a moment, he turned and walked ahead.

“Wait. I’m sorry,” Lily said as they exited the path onto the beach.

“I’m not looking for an apology. It just makes me wonder if you’ll ever trust me. I’ve never lied to you about anything, Lily. Ever. You know why I’m here. I’m not Stephon. I won’t manipulate you to get what I want.”

“I know. You’ve been nothing but honest. You’ve put up with my treatment. Yet I…I can’t finish the artwork. What if I can’t finish the picture in time? You’re whole company is riding on this one deal.”

He dropped the wood and closed the distance between them. “You will. You need to. But don’t do it for my company. Don’t do it for me. Do it for yourself.” His gaze danced from her eyes, to her nose, to her lips. She couldn’t breathe or speak. Finally, his lips pressed to hers—soft, light, gentle. The sound of the surf faded, the moonlight faded, the smell of the ocean faded. Everything faded until only he existed. His smell. His touch. His kiss.