“Why the hell not? Someone’s gotta make him realize he’s throwing away something good.”

I held up a hand. “Just stop already. It’s not meant to be.” The words tasted like the lie they were.

Bell sidled up to Ford, his arm going around her. “I should be pissed as hell at you. But honestly, I’m just sad. You’re missing out on something amazing.”

My chest constricted at her words. I was well aware of everything I was missing out on. It wasn’t the big things that were killing me, either. It was the little ones. Kenna’s grumbles as she woke up. The adorable bleary eyes she gave me until her coffee kicked in. The way she absentmindedly traced patterns over my torso as we watched tv. But most of all, I missed the sense of home I felt every time we were together.

I needed to get over my hang-ups. Figure out a way to have Kenna and my freedom. My ribs gave another painful squeeze. I needed her in my life in whatever way I could have her. Even if that meant just being friends.

I met Bell’s probing gaze. “I’m going to make things right between us.”

Her shoulders slumped. “But not in the way they should be.”

“We’re too different. It just doesn’t work.”

Bell opened her mouth, but Ford gave her shoulder a squeeze, and she shut it again. I gave him a grateful look. I couldn’t take much more of this inquisition. “So, got any pie back there?” I’d barely touched my Reuben, the last thing I wanted was pie. But I’d do anything to steer us away from the topic that was currently ripping my insides to shreds.

I balanced the potted plant in one arm while holding the hazelnut latte in the other. This was dumb. No, what was worse than dumb? Idiotic? I kept walking anyway, rounding the corner from Main Street onto Bay. I could make out the little bungalow that was Kenna’s new work home. I couldn’t imagine a space better for her. It had that charming cottage feel and a killer view of the water.

My steps slowed as I got closer. Don’t be a pansy. I pushed forward and towards the front door. There was a wrought-iron post that jutted out over the entryway, and I could just imagine a sign hanging from it in delicate script with Kenna’s name. I turned the handle, and a bell over the door jingled as I pulled it open.

“Be out in a second.”