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seagulls.”
    “Oh, jeez, that’s embarrassing. I guess I have to stop yelling like a fish wife when I’m out on the beach.”
    “No,” he said quickly, and before, it seemed, he could stop himself, he lifted his eyes to my face. He hesitated, and I thought I’d lost his side of the conversation again. “I like it. It’s cute. No fish wife comparison at all.” His throat moved again, and I decided he was probably just thirsty from his run.
    We stood looking at each other for a long moment, and suddenly, I had a flash of feeling as if I was supposed to be standing there with him. As if somewhere, somehow, he should have been part of my life. I shook off the odd sensation. “Since Rex doesn’t stand out on the sand and bark my name, I suppose I should introduce myself. I’m Jacy. I live in the next house over.” I stuck out my hand. “Welcome.”
    He stared down at my hand long enough that I was about to withdraw it. Then he reached for it. “I’m Ledger.” His big hand made mine feel frail like glass as if he could just squeeze and break it. He released it slowly. I’d gone through scenarios about how this welcome to the neighborhood thing might go, but this was definitely not one of them.
    “I’m in your way,” I said hastily.
    “No, no you’re not. Sorry, I’m not usually so bad at this. I—I just wasn’t expecting you—I mean, anyone. I wasn’t expecting anyone. But thanks.” He lifted the basket. “Thanks for these. My food supply is kind of tragic. I’m just getting moved in.”
    Just getting moved in meant a house cluttered with unpacked boxes or furniture waiting to be arranged. It seemed clear from my intrusive glance through the window that his belongings were meager. Maybe he’d just gotten divorced and his wife got everything.
    He had the kind of eyes that were hard to look away from, and he gazed at me as if we’d been friends or even lovers in a different life. He looked at me as if he knew me. But I certainly didn’t know him. He was most definitely the kind of man I wouldn’t forget.
    “I’m going to take my seagull terrorizing dog and head home.” I sidled around him with a weak smile. “Maybe we’ll see each other again,” I said quickly. We lived just a couple hundred feet away from each other so that seemed more than likely. I only hoped that the next time wouldn’t be quite so stiff and bumbling.
    “Thanks again.” His deep voice trailed down the hill behind me.

Chapter 5
    -Ledger-
    I had no right to watch her walk away, but I watched every step. She disappeared from view, and I looked down at the basket in my hand. I could still feel the warmth of her fingers on the handle. What the hell had I been thinking? Another crazy fucking decision. I sure was good at them. She was everything I’d expected and more. Way more. And I’d acted like a dumbfounded fool. I wasn’t too surprised. I knew she’d stop my breath the second I came face to face with her. And she had.
    What had convinced me that any of this was right? I knew it wasn’t, and yet, I couldn’t stop myself. I knew if I did nothing else with my life, I needed to meet her. But now that she’d stood just inches from me, now that my hand had touched hers and now that the colors had been filled into the imaginary picture I had of the girl, I knew even more this had been a mistake. There was just no fucking way an undeserving asshole like me had any place in her world. 

Chapter 6
    -Jacy-
    I was halfway to my house, when I pulled out my phone and dialed Rachel.
    “Hey, Jacy, what’s up?”
    “I saw him. I took the muffins up to his door, and a lot of awkwardness ensued, but I can tell you this, those broad shoulders go perfectly with everything else. Actually, perfectly isn’t the right word. Stunningly. That’s a better word for it.”
    “Oh my god, can’t wait to hear all the sugary details in the morning.” She paused, and I knew what was coming next. “I want an introduction.”
    “Thought