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My suitcase sat half packed on the bed. Well, Seth’s bed. Or former bed? Since he moved in with Annalise in their fancy waterfront mansion, I rented his old condo. It worked out because it came furnished and the price was unbeatable. He insisted on giving me the “friends and family discount”, no matter how hard I protested.

And since he was stupid rich, I only fought him for a minute. I would take my perks where I could get them. The condo wasn’t quite my taste. It was too modern. But it was swanky and I felt super fancy.

It would do until I figured out what my long-term plans were.

Would I make Tampa my home base? If I worked for the Tangerines for several years it would make sense. Plus it kept me close to Seth and Ev.

Ev.

I grabbed a bottle of water and stepped out onto the fancy balcony, taking in the night air. We’d barely spoken since I ditched him in England. I felt a little bad about the way I left, but mostly I was at peace. That day had clarified a lot of things for me. Everett wasn’t the man for me. But he had cleared my creative block and I couldn’t wait to get to work. I didn’t want the buzz of London to interrupt my newfound flow.

So I went straight to Heathrow and got the next flight home. Kristin was even more excited about my ideas than I expected. So I buried myself in my work.

When Ev called I gave him the same treatment he’d given me.

Was it petty? Yes. Did I currently care? No, no I did not.

I didn’t want to examine why I felt so strongly or why my vindictive side had come roaring out. I was fairly certain I didn’t want to know the answer.

My phone vibrated with a call from my dad. I answered the video call, happy to see his face. “Hey Dad.”

“Hey peanut. How was the game?”

“Exciting. Tangerines won and we got all the footage I wanted.”

“That’s great! You head to the island on Thursday?”

“Yep.” The Tangerines had a bye week so they were joining the Mantas for a joint team retreat. Some of it was fun. Blowing off steam. The pool party, luau, and beach games were all designed for a good time and even better video content. I was more looking forward to the guided meditation and hot stone massages, but I wasn’t an athlete. I only felt overwhelming competitiveness when it came to getting the shot.

“Remember to have fun. I know you’ll be working but there’s more to life than a job.”

I gave him a look. “Dad, you know I love what I do.”

“And I love that for you. But your friends will be there. Remember to be a friend.”

I went back to my drawers and began pulling out the beach gear I still needed to pack. “I’m sure Seth and Annalise will be sneaking off every spare chance they get.”

Dad chuckled. “Yeah well, that gives you more time to catch up with Everett. How is he?”

“Fine.”

“Uh oh.”

“Dad,” I sighed, “friends have ups and downs.”

“What did he do?”

“Nothing,” I lied. “I told him he might enjoy spending more than one night with a woman and he got all cranky. I’ve been giving him space.” I really didn’t understand how that conversation had gone so wrong.

“He’s always been stubborn, peanut. You gave him space for years and all he did was take it. If you want a different outcome this time you’ll need to try a different tactic.”

I hated when my dad was logical. “Enough about me. How is Patricia?”

Dad groaned. “We broke up.”

Dad was a serial monogamist. At least since I graduated from college. Before that he’d barely dated anyone at all. I think he was too worried how it would affect our relationship. The one thing I could always say was that my dad loved me unconditionally and he always put me first.

But sometimes I felt a little guilty that he’d waited so long to find someone to love. Not that I was one to talk. I was thirty-one and had never had a serious relationship.