Read Seaside Kisses: A Sweet Romance (The Seaside Hunters Book 4) for Free Online Page A

as they did.
    Amara tried to pay, but the kid wouldn't take it.
    "It was paid online," he said.
    Amara gave her friend an exasperated look. "Why haven't you let me pay for anything all weekend?"
    "You brought the magazines and ice cream." She unlocked the front door and they went inside. Amara put the pizza on the table and got out everything they needed.
    Janelle got out a bottle of red wine and glasses from the cupboard. She brought them to the table.
    "Wine and pizza?" Amara asked, unsure of the combination.
    "Why not?" Janelle asked.
    Amara shrugged. "Sure." She didn't drink often, and one glass wouldn't hurt. And it wouldn't help her to talk more openly about Rafael, if that was what Janelle was going for.
    Janelle filled the glasses nearly to the top.
    Amara shook her head. "You do know these are meant to be filled about halfway, right?" Amara asked.
    "I don't care." Janelle ate some pizza and then drank about half her glass.
    Amara watched her as they spoke, noticing she refilled twice. "Are you okay?" she asked, suddenly concerned.
    "Of course I'm okay. Why wouldn't I be?" Janelle asked, her words slurring together slightly.
    "Just asking." Amara reached for the bottle. "I think I'll just put this away. We've had enough."
    "You mean me," Janelle said. It wasn't a question.
    "I had plenty, too." Amara forced the cork back in and put the bottle back in the kitchen. She sat back down. "Sure you're okay?"
    "Fine. It's just a little wine."
    "Have some more pizza." Amara pulled a piece and put it on Janelle's plate.
    "Thanks." Janelle sighed. "Did I tell you the kids said Kyle has a girlfriend?"
    Now it made sense. Janelle's sudden interest in a girls' night. Wanting to focus on Amara's love life. The wine. Last night, she'd eaten nearly a carton of ice cream on her own. Her ex was moving on, not just moving out.
    "When did they mention that?" Amara asked, careful to keep her voice even. She didn't want to further upset Janelle.
    "Oh, a couple days ago. I was helping them pack for the weekend. Rex just let it slip out like it was no big deal." Janelle let out a long, slow breath. Her eyes shone with tears. "I mean, don't get me wrong. I knew this was coming. In fact, I was pretty sure there was probably someone else when he left."
    Amara nodded. "I can see that."
    "But now… actually finding out that it's true brings it to a whole new level." A tear fell to Janelle's face.
    "Oh, I'm so sorry. I had no idea you were dealing with this."
    Janelle wiped the tear away. "I hoped that focusing on something else would help, but it didn't. I was so happy to hear something was going your way in that department."
    Amara got up, grabbed a box of tissues, and gave her friend a hug. "You wanna talk about it?"
    Janelle pulled out a tissue and wiped her eyes. "No. Yes. I don't know."
    "I can't pretend to know how you feel, but I can listen. I'm here for you." Amara rose and helped her friend over to the couch, glad Janelle didn't try to reach for the wine glass. "Do you need anything else? A blanket? Water?"
    Janelle didn't answer, but she shook, so Amara grabbed a blanket decorated with cartoon characters from the love seat and covered her. Then she went over to the stereo and put on some soft music before sitting down.
    "Talk. I'm all ears." Amara patted Janelle's arm.
    "What's to talk about? He has a girlfriend. She's probably the reason he left me. Kyle said it was because I didn't pay enough attention to him."
    "If he wanted attention, he could have asked," Amara said. "Don't take the blame. He's the one who left his wife and ripped apart his family."
    Janelle looked at her, her eyes shining again. "I thought we were going to grow old together, you know? Be there together to send the kids to proms." Her voice cracked. "Cheer them on at sports together. Now we'll not only be apart, but she will probably be there for all that. How am I going to survive it?"
    "Have you seen her at any of the kids' games?" Amara asked.
    Janelle shook her