I release a sigh of relief when I finally come out of the bathroom to find the bedroom empty and no trace whatsoever of Harley except for the lingering hint of his cologne, hanging heavily in the air as if it’s mocking me. But I shake my head, ridding every thought of him from my mind while I collect what I need and hurry the hell out of there before I search for that damn cologne bottle and spritz my pillow with it.

Downstairs, the guys are crowding the living area watching some baseball game on television, their eyes glued to the screen. I take the opportunity to slip out onto the back deck unnoticed. The minute the salt air hits me, a smile immediately claims my entire face. I grip the glass railing, closing my eyes as the midday sun lands on my face, warming my skin, and I listen to the rhythmic flow of the waves as they crash onto the shore, the seagulls squawking in the background. If heaven had a soundtrack, I’m sure this would be it.

“What’cha doin’ out here?”

The calm that had been cleansing my body is torn from me as I startle from the sound of Nash’s voice pulling me from my reverie. I turn to see him walking out onto the deck, smiling as he joins me at the railing. I manage a smile, turning back to the view of the water. “It’s so nice here.” I close my eyes once again, breathing in that same beach smell.

“Yeah,” he says from beside me. “Anna sure did a good job finding this place.”

I roll my eyes behind my eyelids at the mention of Anna. Of course, this was all her doing. It’s perfect. Just like her. I swear the two of them are made for each other. And me? Well, I was just some stand-in for Nash until he found his perfect match. I’m the girl who will never be good enough for anyone.

“Hey, a-are you sure everything’s okay with you and Harley?”

I force my self-loathing thoughts aside. My brows pull together as I open my eyes and look up at him. He avoids my eyes, but I watch as he lifts a tentative hand, nervously scratching at the back of his neck before finally meeting my gaze.

I swallow hard, forcing another smile to my lips. “We’re fine.”

He nods, looking down once more, and I can tell his mind is working overtime when he meets my eyes once again. “It’s just … y’all seemed a little distant when you got here.”

“We had a fight over the radio. You know how terrible his taste in music is.” I shake my head with a nonchalant smile, waving off his concern. “We’re fine.”

“If you say so.”

For some reason, his words piss me off and I don’t even know why. If you say so. As if he has any idea. But I let it slide, ignoring his remark.