Chapter TWENTY THREE

  Theme: Bethany woke up alone

  (FLASHBACK TO TEN YEARS AGO)

  WINSLOW, ARIZONA.

  (INSIDE THE BEACH HOUSE)

  Bethany heaved a sigh, her eyes still sleepy but satisfied and more than half in love with Ace. Bethany reached across the bed to where she expected Ace to be, only to find the space empty. He was probably in the bathroom or in the sitting room watching television. Bethany thought as she rolled over, luxuriating in the stretch to well used, slightly sore muscles.

  Bethany buried her face in the pillow Ace had used, absorbing the sexy scent of him. She could wake up like this with Ace forever. The thought had her eyes flying open, had her sitting up in the bed and clutching the sheet to her chest as an unfamiliar feelings of vulnerability walked it way through her.