There was only one thought playing through my mind as Stone took my hand and led me back toward his rental.

The hard truth was one I needed to face: Stone was leaving Briarport.

24. Lenny

24

LENNY

I only had two days left with Stone before he left.

My parents were still in town at Calvin’s place, and we decided to spend a day all together at the beach.

They met us at my favorite spot, a strip of the beach that fewer tourists knew about. Plus, it was only a short walk from my favorite smoothie shop.

We grabbed drinks on the way. I picked the strawberry delight and Stone went for one labeled banana blast. We picked up everyone else’s orders as well, and I carried the tray while Stone carried a bag with towels.

It was odd seeing him do such a normal task, strange to picture him as anything but the FBI agent he was. I wondered when he last took a break.

He watched me as I set the towels on the ground, and when he dug through the bag of items he carried, I giggled when he pulled out a bottle of sunscreen. If anyone was going to remember it, it was definitely going to be Stone.

He pulled off his shirt, and I couldn’t help but stare at his tattoos, at how toned he was. The muscles of his abdomen were perfectly carved. He wasn’t a large or overly muscular man, but he was certainly in shape.

And not bad to look at.

Knock it off. I scolded internally, knowing I was only torturing myself further.

“What?” Stone asked, realizing I was staring.

My cheeks warmed a little. “I’m just not shocked you remembered to bring that,” I covered, trying to save myself.

“Broad spectrum coverage,” he said with a grin and held it up. “Protects against both harmful ultraviolet rays.”

I laughed.

Behind us, I heard people calling out our names and turned to see my family approaching. Eloise was wearing a cute bikini that showed off her little bump. Already, seeing her again was getting easier. My parents carried a bag of snacks, and I traded my dad a smoothie in exchange for a tub of blueberries.

It felt nice, enjoying the last days of freedom and summer. I’d contacted Francis to let her know I’d be coming back to the museum. She was ecstatic to learn the project Stone was working on led to the arrest of the Coastal Killer. Somehow, he’d truly won her over.

I only hoped that level of enthusiasm carried over when I returned. It might be a good time to consider bringing up the memorial exhibit again.

“Come swim with me,” Stone insisted as he stood.