Free Seaside Kisses: A Sweet Romance (The Seaside Hunters Book 4) by Stacy Claflin Page B

caring, talented, and sweet. Essentially, everything he'd ever wanted in a woman, but had given up hope that someone like that existed in his generation. Yet there she was—in his kitchen, wearing his favorite apron.
    But he wouldn't allow himself to get too close. It was for her own good—he didn't deserve someone like her.
    She rose, smiling. "I'll clean this up. I'm sure you have a lot to do. Then I'll get out of your hair."
    Rafael looked into her eyes—he didn't dare look anywhere else. "I can't thank you enough for everything. You've truly gone above and beyond the duty of a neighbor."
    Something flashed across her face—disappointment?—but then she smiled. "Anything for an old friend."
    He flinched, feeling like he'd been jabbed. Was he reacting to old or friend ?
    Rafael smiled back at her. "Well, if you ever need anything, don't hesitate to ask. I'll help you clean."
    "Nonsense. It'll only take a few minutes. Don't you have to call your insurance?"
    Rafael frowned. "It'll have to be later. I broke my phone last night."
    "It was really a bad night for you."
    Not that bad . He shrugged. "It's just my will being tested before I open my store. What doesn't kill me will only make me stronger."
    "That's the spirit. Here, you can use my phone." She dug into her pocket and pulled out her phone.
    "Are you sure?" he asked. "I was just going to use my parents' phone."
    Amara shrugged. "It's up to you."
    Rafael didn't think he could stay in the kitchen a moment longer without throwing himself at her. He took the phone. "Thanks, Amara."
    "No problem." She picked up the plates from the table.
    He knew he should help her clean—he could practically hear his mom chastising him that she'd raised him better than that—but he turned around and went to his bedroom. He couldn't think straight around Amara, especially with his apron clinging to her as it did.
    Rafael dug out the paperwork for his insurance company and called, knowing they would be closed on a Sunday. He left a message, being as detailed as possible. He paused before giving his phone number. With any luck, he'd have a new phone with his old number in a few hours, so he gave them that number.
    Then he called his dad to make sure he'd gotten the message that he was on his way.
    "Is everything okay?" asked his dad.
    Rafael explained the damage to the garage door.
    "Don't bother coming here," his dad said. "I'll be over in about a half an hour."
    "Are you sure?" Rafael asked.
    "Of course. I just need to let your mom know where I'm going."
    He ended the call and started toward the kitchen, but then stopped. He went into Amara's contacts and added his number. Then he found her number and went back to his room and scribbled it down on a pad of paper. Then he went into the kitchen, finding it sparkling already.
    "All done," Amara said, hanging up his apron on a hook with the others.
    Rafael handed her the cell phone. "Thanks."
    "No problem. I hope today goes better than the rest of your weekend." She smiled, and then surprised him with a hug.
    His arms wrapped around her instinctively. It felt good holding her in his arms. Comfortable. No, more than that, but he needed to focus on the innocence of it.
    She stepped back, much to his disappointment. "I'll see you around."
    "See you," he said, watching her leave. He felt like he should say more, or at least walk her to the door, but he'd already said thank you, and he didn't trust himself. He was surprised he hadn't kissed her again already.
    The door closed behind her and he felt guilty, but he knew he shouldn't. He had to protect her from him.
    He stood there until a few minutes later, his dad arrived. Rafael found himself both relieved for the distraction from his swimming emotions and looking forward to some long-overdue bonding with his dad.
    It was the perfect diversion.

Ten
     
    Amara picked at her food, pretending to eat. Janelle had made her famous scones and sweet crepes. It looked and smelled heavenly, but after