Never Stop Falling by Ashley Drew

Author:Ashley Drew [Drew, Ashley]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: second chance, friends to lovers
Publisher: Ashley Drew
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

By the time we reach Pfeiffer Beach, the midday sun has climbed to its peak in the sky, and we find a spot on the beach to settle in for a break. I come prepared with a big blanket and a picnic bag stocked with the essentials: Brie and crackers, prosciutto and salami, grapes, apple wedges, and Cori’s favorite snack duo, Hot Cheetos and cream cheese. I thought about a bottle of wine but changed my mind for two reasons: one, I’m working. And two, this isn’t a date, and a bottle of wine would have made this feel like a date. So, I had to go with the second best thing—grape juice boxes.

“This entire spread is right up my alley,” a pleased Cori approves. She plops down on the blanket and sits Indian-style. “Honestly Nick, you didn’t have to go out of your way to do all of this. I would have been totally content with the Cheetos and cream cheese. You know me too well.”

I take a seat across from her, opening up the pack of juice boxes. “First of all, I didn’t go out of my way. It’s the least I could do for dragging you along with me. As for the Cheetos and cream cheese, I took a gamble on that one.”

“Oh yeah? How so?”

“I thought your taste buds might have grown out of that combo, that city life perhaps turned you into some sort of food snob, but my instincts told me otherwise.” I remove the small straw sticking to the back of one of the juice boxes, puncture it into the hole on top, and hand it to her. “In other words, I figured you’d still have the palate of a fifth grader.”

Cori giggles as she takes the juice box and waves it in the air for a toast. “And proud of it!” She takes a sip and winks at me.

“Out of curiosity, do you watch Sex and the City?” I ask, my lips curling into a skeptical half-smile.

She scrunches her nose with a curious look in her eyes. “Totally random question, but no. I may be the only one who doesn’t. It’s just my opinion, but I think that show is lame.”

I beam, celebrating my silent victory with an imaginary fist-pump into the air.

“And for the record, I am having the best time. So thank you for dragging me along with you. I really needed this.”

I get the feeling not much dragging had to be done on my part. Picking at the cheese and fruit, I contemplate bringing up the situation with her father. Talking about it may put a damper on Cori’s good spirits, making me hesitate to ask her about it.

But I know the situation is hurting her. I also know that Cori does what she wants, and deep down, she wants to reconcile with Henry.

“As much as I’d like to think your interest in accompanying me today had everything to do with me, I sense a little bit had to do with avoiding your dad.

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