Today is the last day in the office before heading to South Shore. While working, I received an email from Dane Moller. He's been sending the same email to both Blake and me for the past 10 years. Since our dad passed away, Dane has been compiling monthly reports for Dad's firm. As usual, I skipped checking the numbers. Blake and I have always trusted Dane to handle our firm. He took on the responsibility without us even asking.

Gretchen walked into my office, lightly tapping on the glass door to get my attention. I glanced up at her as she gestured with a pen in hand. "Mrs. Ryan has packed your bags for the South Shore trip, and the dress you'll be wearing to the event is in the blue box."

I opened my mouth to respond, but Gretchen cut me off. "She also tucked a list in your handbag, detailing what is in every bag."

I couldn't help but smile at her efficiency. "Sometimes I wonder what my life would be like without all of you?"

Gretchen winked in response. "You'd have someone else taking care of you."

I nodded, then impulsively decided to tease her about Bryce, wanting to show that I was in on her secret admiration for him. "So, how are things with Bryce?"

Gretchen spun around, her eyes widening. "What?"

I crossed my arms against my chest.  "Chief editor of political magazine."

Gretchen raised her brow. "What about him?"

I leaned back in my chair. "Thats what I am asking, what about him?"

Gretchen clenched her jaw. "I don't know what you are talking."

I winked at her. "If you think you can hide your inner turmoil by throwing fits, it's a bad idea."

Her eyebrows shot up, and she pointed a finger at me. "Don't try this on me. And don't forget about the lunch with us."

I nodded and returned to my work, and like always I didn't know how much time has passed until my phone started to ring. Flashing Blaine's name. looked at the time, I cursed under my breath—I was late for lunch, and Gretchen, the witch, hadn't reminded me. I quickly shut my laptop and stormed out of the office.

Upon arriving, I found everyone already seated and waiting. I immediately apologized for being late and took a seat. Justine wasted no time in asking, "What took you so long?"

Alyssa remarked, "She must have forgotten," prompting me to point at both of them. "Please, let's not fight here."

They have some skills to argue anywhere anytime. I wonder how they even sit together but the truth is I am unable to understand their relationship dynamics. They can't leave each other but at the same time get on each other's nerve. Since college they like each other but both adamant to accept it instead both fight all the time and sometimes its little annoying for us all. 

I cleared my throat. "I am starving. should we start ordering?"

I elbowed Gretchen's rib. "You could have reminded me when you were leaving."

Gretchen smirked. "Next time, if you bring up Bryce in any conversation, I'll do worse."

I shot her a glare.

After our lunch arrived Carter asked, "Is it true that Blake is going to announce his retirement next year?"

Taking a mouthful, I replied, "I have no idea; I never pry into his life."

Blaine interjected, "The fact that he is going to announce his retirement is something that no one could have ever guessed based on his performance this year."

After that, I sent Blake a text message asking, "Are you in Glisten?"

Blake's response was heartwarming: "Did I ever leave Glisten without saying goodbye to my baby sister?"

I replied, "Just found out about your outstanding performance this year; feeling so proud," to which he responded with kisses and hugs.

The moment I stepped in my apartment I tossed my bags phone coat everything in bed and rushed to take shower. when I came out of shower my eyes landed on shorts, top and snickers. I smiled and blow kiss to the universe. "I love you Mrs. Ryan" I whispered in air. Mrs. Ryan had kept my suitcases beside my dresser. Grabbing my laptop and luggage, I headed to the main door to wait.

When the doorbell rang, I assumed it was Kev. However, upon opening the door, I was surprised to find Ian standing there.

I asked, "To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" I stood back and invited him to come inside.

Ian walked right in and asked right away. "I need to ask something."

I nodded.

Ian asked. "Who is Renna?"

That is weird

I crossed my arms over my chest. "I told you she is Kev's friend from New York living in Glisten for a while."

Ian threw his hands up in the air. "But for how long she is going to stay here?"

I squinted my eyes "What is wrong with you, Ian?"

Ian clenched his jaws. "Just answer my questions."

I sighed. "Why? What happened? What Renna has to do with you?"

Ian responded. "Don't question my queries, just answer me."

I raised my brow. "Listen, I am unable to answer your confusing questions knowing only half of the things."

Ian sat down. "Why did she come to Glisten?"

I don't know what has gotten into me and I randomly asked. "You hooked up with Renna?"

Ian jumped to his feet. "What? How could you even possibly think of it?"

I squared my shoulders. "Your eager attitude towards her."

Ian kept quiet for a few moments before saying, "I guess I should go now," and then without waiting for my response he walked out.

I assumed it was Ian when the doorbell rang again, but when I opened it, Kev was there in my doorway.

I said, "Oh, it's you."

Kev's brows furrowed in confusion. "Why? Were you expecting someone else?"

I shot up my shoulders. "Yes, I thought it was Ian because he just left in the middle of our chat."

Kev cleared his throat. "Are you ready?"

I turned around to pick up my bag. "Yeah"

Kev grabbed my bag. "Let me."

After two hours of driving, when we reached the south shore, I felt a wave of emotion wash over me as Kev pulled his car into a hotel that used to belong to my dad but now belonged to Sawyer.

When we were roaming around in a foyer Kev cleared his throat and casually asked if I and Sawyer were still planning to go on memory lane or if we were done with it. His insensitive behavior sometimes irritates me, but I brushed it off. Feeling famished since last I ate at lunch, I expressed my hunger, eager to eat something. Sawyer asked whether we preferred to have food in the rooms or the restaurant.

Considering the situation, I suggested we eat in Kev's room. Sawyer nodded and left us. Kev seemed puzzled by my choice, but I warned him not to say anything if he valued his life.

As we dined in his room, I couldn't shake off my discomfort. Kev didn't bring up our last fight during the two-hour car ride, and now, in his room, he wouldn't talk about us. After finishing my meal, I decided to leave.  Before I could leave, though, Kev grabbed my arm and asked what had happened.

Feeling a surge of frustration, I told him it was difficult for me to pretend everything was fine when it obviously wasn't.

Once again, we found ourselves close, an unexpected intimacy that seemed to catch both Kev and me off guard. Yet, despite our attempts to resist, the undeniable spark between us ignited the moment his touch met mine. In that instant, the heat between our bodies surged, colliding with an intensity Kev said it out loud. "Fuck."

Kev crashed his lips on mine, and I was powerless to resist his advances because his tongue kept licking my lower lip, so I parted my lips and he slid his tongue down my throat. Our kiss quickly became passionate. I was on the verge of losing control of my emotions when his hands went under my thighs to pull me up. I pushed him away and yelled. "This is your problem; you want to continue doing whatever you want to do."

He threw up his hands in anger. "Why is it so difficult for you to wait a little bit?"

I responded. "Because I can't move on and act like everything is fine without knowing what happened ten years ago to you. Why did you pick that fight with me? Kev, I was your best friend. You left Glisten without saying goodbye, and in those ten years, you haven't tried to get in touch with me. And now you finally came back after all this time, you expect me to just catch up with you without any questions?"

Kev shook his head. "You haven't changed at all."

I pointed at him. "Well, you know what? Neither have you," then I rushed out of his room.