CHAPTER 3

Her first instinct was to reach out for the body that was supposed to be next to her. The feeling of cold sheets was enough to jolt her fully from her sleep induced haze. Her second instinct was to bury her face into her pillow and curse herself for being too lazy to put all of her curtains back up.

"I'd say it was time to get up."

The deep voice startled her and she reaches for something to defend herself with. Only coming up with an overstuffed throw pillow.

"Relax, Alex. It's just me."

"Could you not do that?"

The older man gets up from his seat and moves to the door. "I'll be downstairs when you're ready."

Alex waits until he leaves before getting dressed and meeting him in the kitchen.

"I'm too exhausted to even think right now. What are you doing here, Camryn? Better yet, how'd you get in?"

"We have business to take care of and your door was open."

"Oh, um... Marissa was here."

"I know." He sighs and begins putting away the few groceries he'd brought her. "We should have never come back to Newport, Alex. There's only so much we can do here and the risks far outweigh the rewards. Not to mention the bad memories."

"I haven't forgot about them or the memories and I'm still dealing with it every day."

"Then why are we here?" He knew the answer already, of course he knew, he just wanted to hear her say it.

"Because we need to look everywhere for opportunity if we're going to reach the full potential of expanding the enterprise. Besides, I think the Baitshop could do really well here."

"Not even you believed that lie."

Alex sighs and runs a hand through her hair. She knew when she'd decided to come back that nothing would be easy.

"It's sorta true." She mumbles.

"Look, Alex, I know you care about Marissa-"

"Love, Cam. I love her."

"Okay, love, but this is a really bad idea. Getting emotionally involved only complicates things and make things get a lot more dangerous. Newport is emotional overload for us both."

"I know. I have to do this though, Cam. I have to make things right."

"I know you do. Honestly, I'm surprised you held out this long, kid." He grins at her.

"Shut up." She playfully pushes the silver-haired man. "I have to be here, that doesn't mean you do, you know." She tells him, serious again.

"I know, but I'm the only family you have left. Besides, it's not like I'd let you be here on your own anyway."

Alex smiles and hugs him tightly.

"Now lets get you a glass of milk before we go out."

The blonde rolls her eyes at his insistence that she drink it every morning. She rolled her eyes and then she had her glass.