The Version You Hide (Cliff Haven Book 3) by Eve Blakely

Author:Eve Blakely [Blakely, Eve]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Queen B Ink
Published: 2024-08-13T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

DYLAN

The surf is warm this morning, but my usual energy doesn’t follow me into the water. I find myself mostly just sitting on my board, allowing the waves to pass underneath me. I’ve even lost my concentration and been pummelled by a bomb or two.

Mackenzie has had an effect on me. One I don’t know what to do with.

I’m drawn to her in a way that I’ve never been to anybody else. It’s not a secret that I’ve dated a lot of women, but I’ve never had serious feelings. Not like this. I’d wanted her last night. That kiss had been everything, but with Mackenzie, I know I need to have patience.

Chance is waiting for me when I arrive back at the beach house. He bounds off the back porch, tailing wagging, tongue hanging out as he picks up a piece of driftwood between his teeth. He nudges my thigh, begging me to initiate a game of fetch. I drop down onto the top front step, staring out at the ocean in the distance.

“Not now, boy. I’m not in the mood.”

He lets out a whine then flops down on the deck beside me.

“I don’t know what the hell I’m doing anymore, Chance. I feel like I’m losing my mind,” I say out loud. “I mean, obviously I am. I’m talking to my dog.” I blow out a long breath. “I just really like her though, you know?”

I glance over at the furry canine beside me like he has the ability to answer, then shake my head at how absurd I’m being.

I’ve never really cared too much about what other people think, but when Mackenzie had doubted my character, it had cut deep. I want her to like me. I just didn’t realise how much. Now my every thought seems to revolve around her, but I know I need to take things slow. The last thing I want is to scare her away.

Chance lifts his head, then his tongue swipes my hand. I give his head a rough scratch. “I’ve got you though, right? We’re a team.”

A soft whiny whimper leaves him as he sits up, suddenly at attention, his eyes scanning the beach ahead. Out of nowhere a white dog about the same size as Chance comes bounding from the right. He lets out a bark and then takes off down the steps, running toward his newfound companion.

“Oh, come on!” I throw my hands up in the air, then mutter under my breath. “Traitor.”

My ringtone blasts from the jacket I’d left hanging over the railing this morning before my surf.

I throw my head back, a low groan rumbling through my chest. “What now?”

I haul myself up, rifling through the pockets until I retrieve my phone. The word ‘Mum’ flashes across the screen and I slump my shoulders, defeated. Well, this is going to be fun.

I swipe the answer key. “Hey, Mum.”

“Don’t you ‘Hey, Mum’ me.” My mother’s patronising voice comes sternly through the line. “You better have a good explanation for why you disappeared from the party the other night.

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