She told Nate about it later as they strolled along the sand from the Surf Café. “I landed my dream job today. At forty. Can you believe that?” She pulled off her shoes and carried them, loving the feel of the sand on her bare feet. “I’m excited about going to work tomorrow, and I have never felt like that before.”

“Are you sure you’re not just going to sit there and read all the books?”

“That, too. Perks of the job, right? I’ve put together a few ideas for the window display. Do you think it would be interfering or forward of me to suggest doing a few events for children? I thought we could start with dressing up and reading.” The ideas kept popping in her head and she couldn’t wait to discuss some of them with Mary-Lou.

“I think Mary-Lou and Vivian will be glad for anything that attracts business.”

“I don’t want to overstep.” But she couldn’t stop herself planning. “I was thinking that in the future we could hold book club evenings at the Surf Café. That way we’d be combining—”

“Books, food and drink.” He smiled and pulled her closer.

“You like the idea?”

“Yes. I also like the fact that your plans for the future involve being here for a while.”

She thought about Mel and Greg. About Mary-Lou and Rosa. Ashley lying by the pool. Otter’s Nest. Nate. “I didn’t come here planning to stay, but now I can’t imagine leaving. I spoke to the lawyers this morning. I’m selling my shares in Cliff’s company.” She’d made up her mind after their night together, when she’d realized that being with Nate hadn’t been a trip back to the past, but a step into the future. The phone call had been the final severing of her old life from the new.

“You won’t be part of it in the future?”

“No.” The relief was enormous. “I don’t know why I didn’t do it before. I should have, but I suppose throwing out your entire life in one go is daunting.”

“So what is this? A fresh start?”

They’d walked to the water’s edge and she let the waves wash over her feet. The setting sun sent fingers of gold across the ocean and she’d never seen anything more beautiful in her life.

“Yes,” she said. “It is a fresh start. I want to put the past behind me and just start again.” She felt his arms come around her and he pulled her close.

“Are there any aspects of your old life you might want to keep? I’m asking for a friend.”

“I don’t want the old version of us.” She slid her arms around his neck. “But I’m excited to explore the new version. Whatever that looks like.”