Second Chances in New Port Stephen - Chapter 91

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Second Chances in New Port Stephen - Chapter 91

December 27
Nick got the text toward the end of a quiet dinner shift: Want to meet me at the
beach when you get off work?
He stared at the message for a long beat before responding.
How are you getting there?
Already here. I biked. Using my bike. That a very kind man gave to me.
Seriously? It was at least six miles from Pineapple Top Lane to their beach. Or rather, the beach
that Nick had started to think of as theirs. Again.
Eli sent back an emoji with the angry puff of air coming out of its nose. Just come, he said.
It wasn’t a particularly busy day for the Manatee. Most people were still recovering from their
overindulgent Christmas dinners and working through their leftovers. The last table left well

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before the nine o’clock closing time, and with a little premature tackling of the closing checklist,
Nick had every staff member out the door within minutes. He could admit he was nervous. He
and Eli hadn’t spoken in a couple days, and he was beginning to wonder if they ever would. But
Eli wouldn’t invite him to the beach at night simply to deliver another “I think we should just be
friends” speech. Right?
Nick rubbed his tired eyes as he locked up the restaurant for the night. He couldn’t take another
heavy conversation so soon after the one with Laurie. They had met at the Chili’s near Laurie’s
work the day before and, over an untouched Triple Dipper platter, hashed out the thorny
question of Arizona.