If she could go back in time and rethink her actions, would she have held back? As embarrassing as the aftermath had been, she didn’t entirely regret the kiss. It had been mind-blowing and knee-weakening and everything else she’d heard a good kiss should be, and after all these years keeping her feelings to herself, she’d put herself out there.

And it wasn’t as though Wes hadn’t been into the kiss. She still had a pair of jeans with the ass covered in paint to prove it.

At least she’d have a new memory now besides an almost chance she didn’t take.

A loud knock on the door made her jump. “Sarah! You in there?”

Sarah held her breath and froze, watching the door handle wiggle.

Seriously? Where was Lia’s sense of privacy? Thank God she’d locked the door before showering.

“Sarah!”

There was no way she was opening it. She needed some time to herself. If she had to endure another story about Malcolm and their fantastic, perfect little life, she was going to explode.

She was happy for Lia—mostly—she just didn’t like to be reminded of her own shortcomings ten times in the same day. Lia had the successful career and the loving husband. Sarah was still single and contemplating the career she’d thought she wanted.

She waited until she heard Lia’s footsteps descend the stairs before picking up her phone and texting Whitney. Amazing. As usual.

Whitney’s reply was immediate. Fill in the info I left blank regarding your preferred contact and I’ll get these sent to promotions for printing.

Did her friend ever just pause for a second? Sarah wished she could move ahead with things as fast as Whitney. There shouldn’t be any reason to hesitate, but she still had reservations. Over the last few weeks, the idea of selling had grown increasingly murkier. As the place slowly came back to life, so did the feeling of being somewhere that felt like home, a place she’d always been safe… L.A. with its constant hustle and ever-changing mood for what was “in” and “now” meant always adjusting.

Dove’s Nest offered consistency and the opportunity to slow the roll a little. But was it just the inn making her contemplate her future or a certain father/daughter duo who’d lodged themselves in her heart?

Seeing her grandmother’s journal, she picked it up and sat out on the new deck off the room. Wes had instructed the crew to finish hers first so she’d have an opportunity to enjoy it, and the view of the bay and ocean from there was spectacular. The mid-morning waves crashing on the sand, getting bigger and louder as each new one rolled in was one of the best sounds for a frazzled mind and conflicted heart.