I wake up feeling anxious. It's been like this since I got back home from college: Me waking up way too early and staring at the ceiling while thinking about dad's health before forcing myself to get up and start a new day. It's just that he was always so strong; I can't wrap my mind around how sick he is now. 

How can something eat your life away, rob your energy and your appearance right before your eyes and there's nothing you can do about it?

When I feel my eyes burning, I pull the sheets away from my body and head to the shower. I know I can't keep torturing myself every morning, but when you start seeing no light at the end of the tunnel, it's hard to see hope sometimes.

Argh! I'm not crying! I'm not crying! Everything is going to be fine!

This has been my mantra since I got the news he was sick. This is what has kept me moving on every day. This is what will keep me going today.

Everything is going to be fine!

After having a shower, I put on some cut-off jeans and a bikini top, a loose tank top, and get my flip-flops. As I look at my face in the mirror, I realize how much older I look. I am only twenty-four but somehow my eyes look tired. My hair is longer than I usually wear it and I just don't seem to care. So, I just run a comb through it and head to the kitchen. The last thing I need to care about right now is the way I look.

"Hey, dad." I plaster a smile on my face as soon as I see him standing by the coffee machine.

"Morning sweetie." He hands me a cup, his eyes studying me

"Thanks." I close my eyes as I take a sip of my coffee.

"What are the plans for today? You have the day off, right?"

"Yeah, I'll take Bear for a walk on the beach now and do some laundry later." I take a bottle of water from the fridge.

"Wow, exciting! No hot dates?" I feel his eyes on me, and I scoff.

"Like Bear would allow another man in my life." I look pointedly at him, not hiding my smile.

My dad laughs, and it's music to my ears. "We know that didn't work out as we'd planned, no need to rub it in my face. Bear has a soft spot for anyone who will give him some cookies."

"There's no date, dad. I haven't found my Prince Charming yet." I shrug, and he nods.

"Hmmm."

"I'm going to get going. See you later." I kiss his cheek, all ready to go.

Bear is waiting for me by the door and eagerly follows me out. As I head to the beach, I'm happy to see the sand almost empty. Bear is a softie and loves to play in the water, but he loves to run around too, and sometimes his sense of direction is not so good.

After some time of playing in the water, we decide to play catch. I throw the ball and as Bear goes to catch it, he almost runs over a man.

"Bear!" I rush to apologize, but when I get near him, I stop dead in my tracks.

Wow, this guy is hot. Like seriously hot!

He's tall; maybe 6'2" and I can't help but stare at him. He's barefoot, shirtless, and wearing a pair of dark blue shorts. You can see that he works out by the muscle and definition in his arms and shoulders, and with his longish dark hair and the most beautiful light blue eyes in the world, he's probably the most attractive man I've ever seen.

"Sorry about that," I say shyly.

What the heck? Since when am I shy around a man?

"Is this your dog?" The sound of his voice makes my heart skip a beat.

Don't be silly, Olivia! He is just a guy!

I clear my throat. "Yeah, his name is Bear. I'm sorry, he has a horrible sense of direction." I smile but he doesn't smile back, just keeps looking at me, and I have no idea what to say.

Not knowing what to add, I get his silence as my cue to leave. "Okay, uh. See you around."

He touches my hand and a shot of electricity runs through my arms. I'm so surprised, I pull it back fast, stumbling back a little.

Something is absolutely wrong with me today...

He must think I'm offended because he looks at my hand, then at my eyes and apologizes immediately. "I'm sorry," he murmurs. "Here..." He gives me Bear's little ball.

"Thanks." I clear my throat, trying to get my reaction towards this guy under control.

He gives me a subtle once over and when I see his pupils dilate, I will my heart to stop beating so fast. I might not be in a place where I want a man to myself, but damn it's nice to see I affected this handsome guy!

Bear chooses this moment to bark for attention, jumping all over the man, and the way this stranger smiles at my dog makes me pause.

Holly crap! He's already gorgeous, but when he smiles...

He is clearly charmed by Bear's antics and doesn't realize how creepy I look standing here ogling him. So, when he lets out a soft chuckle in Bear's direction, I recognize how lucky this crazy dog is.

Well, and now I'm jealous of my dog...

Definitely time to leave.

"Come on Bear, time to go," I try, but he's too busy getting some love from Mr. Handsome.

"Bear," I try again, but he's clearly not having it.

"I guess he's not ready to go," I hear the stranger say, my eyes already on his.

"I guess," I say, putting a leash around Bear's neck.

The guy opens his mouth, but his phone chooses this moment to ring and interrupt whatever he was about to say. He looks at it and frowns, and I just can't take my eyes off him.

"I have to take that," he says more to himself than to me.

"Oh! Sure!" I pull Bear to my side, finally snapping out of it.

"See you around...?" he says as if expecting me to say my name, his eyes locked on mine now.

"Olivia."

"See you, Olivia." He gives me one last look before turning around and answering the phone.

I'm so mesmerized by his voice saying my name that I just stare at his back as he leaves.

God, what's wrong with me? I've never been so affected by a guy before.

I decide to leave too and then it hits me he didn't say his name. I tell myself it doesn't matter, that I'll probably never see him again, but deep down I feel I won't forget this man so easily.

*****

When I get home, dad is in the living room chatting with our neighbor Mary. She is the one who called me to tell me that my father had been admitted to the hospital two years ago and the one who got me my job at the restaurant. She is friends with Laura's family and was able to give her good references. She is a great woman and since I've known her all my life, I consider her family.

"Hey, Mary." I smile, happy to see her.

"Hi, sweetie." She stands up and gives me a hug. "I haven't seen you guys lately, so I decided to stop by. I brought a chocolate cake. We were just waiting for you to get home so we could eat it together."

"That's so nice of you. Chocolate is my dad's favorite. Right, dad?" I smirk at him, making him blush.

We love to tease each other and it's been hard to get to him these days unless it involves Mary. I know they have a thing for each other, but from what I've known, they've never explored it. Now, it doesn't mean the feelings are not there.

We've all known each other for years. Mary moved to the house beside ours a little more than ten years ago, and they clicked instantly and have been good friends ever since. But I see the way they look at each other when they don't think anyone is looking, so I never really understood why they never acted on it.

"Yeah." He clears his throat. "Let's eat."

"I'll just wash my hands. You guys can get started." I smirk at him, and he raises his eyebrows as if silently telling me to shut up.

When I come back from the bathroom, he is looking at Mary with so much affection while she slices the cake, that it warms my heart. These two are impossible and so clearly in love. I smile as she hands me a piece, and we eat in comfortable silence.

This is good! And so heartwarming that it brings me hope everything will be fine.

It has to.

I pray, asking God for more days like this.

_____

A/N: Thanks so much for reading! Hope you enjoyed this chapter! ❤️

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- Celeste