Read Summer at Seaside Cove for Free Online

that.” Jamie pulled her feet from the sand and began walking slowly toward the pier. “And that’s what this whole trip to Seaside Cove is all about—climbing out of that deep hole. Renewing, recharging, regrouping. Figuring out what I want. In a place where nothing’s familiar. Where I don’t know anyone, and no one knows me or about the humiliating crapfest my life had become. And best of all, where I’m not responsible for anyone other than myself. No demands, no stress, no pressure. Ha. When’s the last time that happened?”
    â€œJunior high maybe?” Kate suggested.
    â€œThat’s about right. Paradise Lost is looking better and better.”
    â€œExactly. The house might stink—”
    â€œâ€”literally,” broke in Jamie with a grimace.
    â€œBut you don’t have the stress of working every day with Laurel. Getting away from that toxic situation and relationship is the best gift you could possibly give yourself.”
    Jamie’s throat tightened. “I know . . . but that doesn’t mean Laurel’s betrayal still doesn’t hurt. And majorly piss me off. For cryin’ out loud, rule number one of the Girl Code clearly states that ex-boyfriends are off limits—therefore, it should be obvious that current boyfriends are really off limits. Especially to one’s own sister!”
    â€œAbsolutely,” Kate agreed. “Bee-yotch should be beaten with her damn designer shoes.”
    â€œThen there’s the other side of that extremely tarnished coin—not only did Raymond cheat on me with my sister, but with my older sister. Seriously, how many women get dumped for an older woman? And not just a month or two older, but eight years ! Talk about insult to injury.” Oh, yeah, she’d definitely reached a new low rung on the self-esteem ladder there.
    â€œJust goes to show you what a shithead he is,” Kate said. “She and Raymond deserve each other.”
    Jamie knew it. Yet the mention of Raymond’s name still pissed her off, although at this point she wasn’t certain if she was more angry at him for cheating on her, or at herself for so badly misjudging his character.
    â€œUh-oh,” said Kate. “You’ve gotten very quiet, which can’t be good. Repeat after me: Raymond’s a shithead. Go on—say it.”
    A tired laugh escaped Jamie. “Raymond’s a shithead,” she repeated dutifully. Then she sighed. Over the past week she’d spent countless hours trying to figure out how she could have been so wrong about him, have allowed herself to fall in love with someone so lacking in integrity. Had the signs been there and she’d just ignored them? Had she really loved him—or had her head been turned by his wealthy lifestyle? And if so, what did that say about her?
    Nothing she liked, that’s for sure.
    She’d always believed herself a fairly astute judge of people, but she’d really missed the mark with Raymond. Just more questions to ponder on this Seaside Cove Road to Rediscovery. In the meanwhile, maybe someday she wouldn’t feel like whacking Raymond and Laurel upside their cheating heads with her cat carrier, but today was not that day.
    â€œGood girl,” Kate said. “Repeat as needed. And don’t forget—the best way to get over a man is to get under a new one.”
    Jamie expelled a humorless sound. “I want another man like I want a flea infestation.”
    â€œI’m talking about indulging in a summer fling—nothing serious.”
    â€œFlings aren’t my style.”
    â€œI know, but doing things that aren’t your normal style is what this trip is all about.”
    â€œTrue. But I want to do them alone . I came here to get away from people.”
    â€œJust keep an open mind. Now tell me, seriously, how are you feeling?”
    Jamie stopped walking and stared out at the waves. “I don’t really