“Is this from my favorite sailor?” he asks, trying to peel the paper back.

I slap his hand and start to open the gift. “Probably. He’s been texting me and calling, but with the time difference it’s really hard.”

I rip the paper off and start laughing so hard I have to hold my stomach.

“What is that?”

Jackson sent a huge photo of my time from the obstacle course. However, in true Jackson fashion he added one question across the top: REMATCH?

“It’s a long story, but let’s just say Super SEAL lost and apparently isn’t over it.”

I pick up the phone and dial his number.

“Hello, baby.” Jackson’s deep voice vibrates through the line and I fight the urge to sigh.

“Hello, Muffin.”

Jackson chuckles, “Oh, we’re going to play that way?”

“Whatever do you mean, my dear?” I say playing coy.

“So what do I owe the honor of your phone call, Kitty?”

I purse my lips at his jab toward the nickname I hate so much.

“I got your present,” I say looking at it while Tristan tilts his head as if he’ll find some hidden meaning in the photo.

“Did you now?”

“I did.”

Jackson clears his throat and muffles the phone, “I only have a minute, babe. I’m about to head into a meeting.”

My lips turn down. This is the exact problem we’ll face if we tried for anything other than friendship. “It’s fine. I have a really busy day too. My client is due here in a few minutes.”

“I miss you,” Jackson says and my chest tightens.

Tristan comes back in and taps his finger on his wrist letting me know we have to go. I pull the phone from my ear, “Okay.”

“Okay?” He sounds instantly pissed.

“Not you. I was telling Tristan okay,” I explain.

“Who the fuck is Tristan?” Jackson’s voice no longer holds any tenderness.

“Jealous much?” I taunt him playfully. After a second of his silence I realize he’s upset. “Relax, Muff. He’s my assistant.”

“You hired a guy?” Jackson doesn’t sound any less pissed than before.

I huff and organize the file on my desk. “I did. And if I remember correctly you have women who work for you.”

“Yeah, but they’re old or ugly.”

“Danielle isn’t either of those,” I gently remind him.

“Is Tristan,” Jackson sneers his name, “old or ugly?”

“Well, he’s definitely not old,” I joke and he growls.

Jackson smothers the phone but I can still hear him. “Hold the fuck on, dude. I’m dealing with a pain in the ass on the other side of the country.”

“Jackson,” I call but he doesn’t answer.

“Jackson!” I yell and I hear the phone clear.

“You can hold on too.”

“Jackson we’re not together and I don’t have time to ex—”

“Don’t. It’s been a week and a half, Catherine. I’m fucking miserable and you’re hanging out with some tool.”

I roll my eyes as Tristan taps his foot letting me know I really need to go. “As much as I’d love to argue with you, I have to go. Apparently I’m late. Thank you for my present and you can forget about any kind of rematch. I’ll never run that shit again. I love you, always,” I say and I hear him grumble as I disconnect the call.

Tristan smirks playfully when I approach. “That was like watching a one-sided tennis match. I can only imagine what you just did to him.”

I jab him with my elbow and we start walking to the conference room where our first Hollywood client is waiting. “He can handle it.”

Tristan elbows me back. “Muff?”

I laugh at how someone who doesn’t know Jackson or Mark would hear that word and insinuate what it means. “Not that kind of muff. Come on, we’ve got clients to sign.”

After the meeting, I feel terrible about the way I handled the call. The entire time I wondered how I’d feel if the shoe was on the other foot. If he walked away from me and then taunted me about another woman, I’d be hurt.

I grab my phone and call, but it goes to voicemail.

“Hey, it’s me. I’m sorry about before. Thank you for the gift. Give me a call when you get a chance if you want to talk. Miss you.”

I set the phone down and feel even worse.

“Hey, want to hit the beach?” I look up at Tristan standing at my door smiling. It’s still warm and sunny even though it’s fall.

“When?” I ask.

“Now? I have this amazing boss, who loves me. And she wants to stare at my luscious body.” Tristan’s eyes sparkle with mischief.

“I’m pretty sure you crossed about a hundred lines of inappropriateness, but I am amazing. Is the schedule clear?”

“Yup! Go home, grab your suit, and I’ll meet you at your apartment.”

Tristan and I have been spending a lot of time together since he’s funny, sweet, and actually cares if I take breaks. Plus, he tells me that Taylor calls him to threaten his life daily.

I still haven’t heard back from Jackson, which has been weighing heavily on my mind. I send him a quick text while I’m on my way home.

Me: Hey, I’m sorry if you’re upset.

Jackson: I’m not. I’m really busy. There are some big things going on that I’m handling.

Me: I understand.

Jackson: We’ll talk soon. I love you.

Me: I know, I love you.

Sometimes you can love someone so much, but it isn’t enough. It’s been two weeks and already whatever I thought we had is dissolving. There is a part of me that knew all of this was going to happen. Loving someone doesn’t mean that it’ll work out. Plenty of times I thought love was going to make me whole. Neil for one, I loved him and he showed me how sometimes love is blind, and not in a good way. I loved my father, but that love couldn’t conquer his guilt or reasons for staying away.

Then I have the good love. The people in my life who reciprocate love: Ashton, Taylor, Gretchen, and many more. Love shouldn’t come with a price. It shouldn’t take from you and make you miserable, because then what would you be left with? If I gave up everything for him and it didn’t work out … then what? No matter what the future holds, I know I’m strong enough to handle it.

I get changed and meet Tristan outside my apartment. The beach is within walking distance, so we head toward it on foot. The sun warms my skin and I draw a calming breath. The sounds of the seagulls above and the waves crashing soothe my soul.

“Do you miss Jersey?” Tristan asks after we find a spot and get comfortable.

I close my eyes and soak in the vitamin D. “I don’t know. I miss some stuff but it’s fall now and I’m at the beach … that’s pretty amazing. I don’t miss the cold.”

“So I won’t be worrying about you skiing in Tahoe?” he laughs and I join him.

“Definitely not. I will be parked right here until the last beach day possible.” I smile realizing I have no clue when that will be. I could get the beach for a lot longer than I even realized.