The sound of heels clicking against the wooden floor of Mia's café made Eliza glance up from her book. Standing in the doorway was a woman who looked like she belonged in a glossy magazine rather than a sleepy coastal town. Her dark hair framed her sharp, beautiful face, and her tailored coat and confident stance instantly caught the attention of everyone in the room.

Eliza's heart sank. She didn't need an introduction to know who this was.

Vanessa Greer.

Nathan's ex-girlfriend.

"Excuse me," Vanessa said, her voice smooth and commanding as she approached the counter. "I'm looking for Nathan Calloway. I was told he might be here."

Mia, who had been wiping down the counter, raised an eyebrow but didn't miss a beat. "Well, if you're looking for Nate, you're about three hours too late. He left after grabbing his usual coffee."

Vanessa's lips tightened, but she quickly composed herself, her eyes scanning the room. When her gaze landed on Eliza, a flicker of recognition crossed her face. "Eliza Whitaker, right?"

Eliza nodded stiffly, setting her book aside. "That's me."

"I thought so," Vanessa said, her tone cool but polite. "Nathan's mentioned you."

Eliza wasn't sure if the flutter in her chest was from pride or dread.

"I'm Vanessa," she continued, extending a hand. "I'm... an old friend of Nathan's."

Eliza shook her hand, noting the hesitation before the word "friend." There was no mistaking what Vanessa had really been to him.

Uninvited Reunion

Later that evening, Eliza found herself pacing her living room. Nathan had called to ask if they could meet by the pier, but he hadn't mentioned that Vanessa would be there too. When Eliza arrived, she spotted the two of them standing close, deep in conversation.

Nathan turned when he saw her, his face lighting up. "Liza! Hey."

Vanessa followed his gaze, her expression unreadable. "We meet again," she said smoothly, her tone carrying an edge Eliza couldn't quite place.

"What's going on?" Eliza asked, trying to keep her voice steady as she approached them.

Nathan rubbed the back of his neck, clearly uncomfortable. "Vanessa wanted to talk. She, uh, found out I was in town and thought it'd be good to catch up."

Vanessa smiled, stepping closer to Nathan. "I thought it was time we had some closure. Things between us ended abruptly, and I wanted to clear the air."

Closure. The word hung heavily in the air, and Eliza couldn't help but feel like an outsider intruding on a moment that wasn't meant for her.

Nathan glanced between them, his brow furrowed. "I didn't mean for this to be... weird. Vanessa and I are just talking. Liza, you're not—"

"I should probably let you two finish," Eliza cut in, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I'll see you later, Nate."

Before he could protest, she turned and walked away, her heart pounding in her chest.

A Choice to Make

The next morning, Nathan showed up at the library, looking flustered. "Liza, can we talk?"

Eliza glanced up from her desk, her expression guarded. "What about?"

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "About last night. I didn't mean for things to get awkward."

"Awkward?" she said, standing up. "Nate, you didn't even tell me she was here. I walked into something I wasn't prepared for."

"I know," he said, his voice soft. "I should've told you. But I didn't want you to think... I don't know, that her being here changes anything."

"Doesn't it?" Eliza asked, crossing her arms. "Why is she even here, Nate? What does she want from you?"

Nathan hesitated, his gaze dropping to the floor. "She says she wants closure, but I think she's hoping for something more. She asked me if I'd consider going back to New York with her."

Eliza's heart sank. "And what did you say?"

"I told her I needed time to think," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

Her chest tightened, and she fought to keep her emotions in check. "So, what are you thinking?"

Nathan stepped closer, his brown eyes searching hers. "I'm thinking that I've already spent too much of my life chasing things that don't matter. When I left Seabrook, I thought I needed to prove something—to myself, to everyone else. But all I really want is to be where I feel like I belong. And that's here. With you."

Eliza blinked, her breath catching. "Nate..."

"I'm not saying it's simple," he continued. "But I know what I want, Liza. I want to be here. I want to be with you. But I need to know if you feel the same."

The Solution

Later that evening, Eliza found herself walking along the beach, the cool sand shifting beneath her feet. Nathan had given her space to think, but she knew she couldn't avoid the decision forever.

Her mind raced with questions. Could she trust him after all the years apart? Could they rebuild what they once had? And what about Vanessa?

The sound of footsteps behind her made her turn. Nathan stood there, hands in his jacket pockets, his expression hopeful yet unsure.

"I wasn't sure if you'd be here," he said.

She gave him a small smile. "It's my thinking spot."

He nodded, stepping closer. "Look, I know I've made mistakes. I know I hurt you when I left, and I hate that I didn't keep my promises. But I'm here now, and I'm not going anywhere unless you tell me to."

Eliza looked up at him, the weight of her emotions finally spilling over. "You can't just say that and expect everything to be okay, Nate. I need to know that this isn't just another moment for you. That you're not going to leave again when things get hard."

"I won't," he said firmly. "I'm done running, Liza. I want to build something real—with you."

For a long moment, she studied him, searching for any hint of doubt. But all she saw was sincerity, and maybe, just maybe, a glimpse of the boy who had always been by her side.

Finally, she let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "Okay," she said softly. "But no more running. If we're doing this, we're doing it together."

Nathan's face broke into a grin, and before she could say anything else, he pulled her into his arms.

And as the waves lapped against the shore, Eliza realized that sometimes, home wasn't just a place—it was a person.