“Oh, I’m moving in,” I murmur, not catching the surprised look on Nate’s face as I circle the room.  “I love this bathroom.”

The tile is gray and blue, and the tub is large enough for two, white, and claw-footed, with shiny chrome fixtures.  There are two white pedestal sinks with oval mirrors hanging above them.

The tub sits in a glass alcove, with the same view as the balcony.

“I love how the view is as much a part of the house as the décor is.” I comment and turn around to find Nate leaning against the wall, watching me.

“What?” I ask.

“What did you say when you walked in here?”  His face is serious, and his arms are crossed.

“Um, that I love this bathroom?”  I’m completely confused.

“Before that.”

“I don’t know.” I shake my head and frown, and then it hits me and my cheeks flame.  “Oh.”

“What did you say?” he asks again.

“I said I’m moving in here.”  I grin sheepishly, then wince.  “It’s just a girl knee-jerk reaction to this bathroom, Nate.”

He shakes his head and looks down, clenching his eyes closed.  What the hell?

“Hey, I’m sorry if I said something wrong.”  I walk over to him and take his face in my hands.

“You didn’t.”  He swallows and wraps his arms around me, pulling me in to lean against him as he leans on the wall.

“What’s wrong?”

“Move in with me.”

“Here?” My voice is shrill with shock and I know my eyes are wide.

“No, in the condo.  At home.”

“Nate…” I look down at his chest, trying to collect my thoughts.  My stomach is suddenly in knots and I can’t breathe.

It’s too soon.

“Look at me,” he whispers and I do.

“It’s kind of soon, don’t you think?”

“I don’t give a fuck about that.”

“Let’s enjoy our weekend, and talk about it when we get back.”  I need time to process this, but I know this is the wrong thing to say when his face falls and his eyes get cold.

“I’m sorry I brought it up.”  He starts to push me out of his arms, but I hold on tight.

“Stop it.”  My voice is hard, surprising both of us.  “I didn’t say no, Nate.  I said let’s talk about it some more.  I want to be with you.  Let’s enjoy this beautiful home of yours and relax, just the two of us, with nothing else to worry about, for the next thirty-six or so hours.”

His face relaxes into a smile and he hugs me, tucking me under his chin.  “Don’t worry, baby, I’ll talk you into it.”

I just laugh and squeeze him tight.  “Let’s go for a run on the beach.”

“A run?” Nate asks as I pull out of his arms and walk into the bedroom to open my suitcase.

“Yeah.  I haven’t worked out much this week.”  I know Nate goes to the gym every morning before he follows me into the office.  “I need a run.”

“Okay.”  We pull on some workout clothes, our running shoes and hoodies and head downstairs to the back porch.

“Wow.”  The wrap around porch that does indeed circle the entire house, is extended out farther in the back, over a steep decline in the terrain that leads down to the sand below.  There is an outdoor kitchen, and plush furniture on the covered space.  The railing is made of thick rustic logs, most likely native to this area, and there is a long stairway that leads down to the beach.

Half way down the decline, the stairs stop at a large gazebo with more plush furniture and a fire pit.  It would be a great spot to sit in the evening with a glass of wine, roast some marshmallows and watch the sunset.

Nate leads me all the way down to the sand.  “Well, the climb back up is going to be one hell of a workout,” I remark dryly.

He chuckles down at me.  “Why do you think the gazebo is there?  I don’t need anyone having a heart attack on my property.”

We walk down to the shoreline where the sand is packed and wet and silently start to run, setting a steady, even pace, running in silence, listening to the water, the birds, and our feet as they rhythmically hit the sand.

We run around drift wood, over seashells, and even spot the carcass of a sea lion, most likely washed up during the tide.

“If you want to run ahead of me, it’s okay,” I say, breaking the quiet.  “I know your legs are longer than mine.”

“I’m good.”

I glance over at him, and he grabs my elbow, pulling me to the right.  “Watch out.”

He’s steered me around a washed-up log.

“Thanks.”

After about twenty minutes, we decide to turn around and head back.  We’ve run a long way down the beach, which means we have to run all the way back.

I slow down to a walk when I spot the dead sea lion.

“Julianne?”  Nate is out of breath.

“I’m fine, time to walk.”  I’m also panting and we walk toward the house.

“I love it here.” Nate’s eyes are fixed on the waves as they tumble toward us.  “It’s like when I’m here, nothing else matters.”

I love the beach too, and I know exactly what he means.

“Being at the beach makes me focus on myself.  I forget to worry,” I frown as I stare out at the water, trying to articulate my thoughts.  “I guess it’s my happy place.”