Read Online Seaside Secrets by Melissa Foster - Free Book Online Page A

they were the happiest: drenched in images of Amy.
    An hour later he dragged himself from the water feeling invigorated, slightly numb, and still frustrated. He had to talk to her. He had to mend the friendship they both depended on. He set his board in the sand, and as he stripped his wet suit from his limbs, he decided he’d do just that.
    “Hey, asshat.”
    Tony turned at the sound of Bella’s angry voice. She, Jenna, and Leanna were dressed in their typical attire, short sundresses over bathing suits. Bella stomped across the sand, hands fisted, an angry scowl on her face. If looks could kill, he’d be dead two times over by now.  Jenna and Leanna had serious looks on their faces, but they were more tentative, as if they were there to ensure that Bella didn’t take things too far. Shit .
    He tossed his wet suit onto his board and faced the firing squad. “Ladies.”
    “Don’t you ladies us. What did you say to Amy?” Bella was tall; she came almost to Tony’s chin and stood as near as the close talkers Seinfeld hated.
    Tony held his ground and her steady gaze. “That I loved her like a friend.”
    She pushed his chest. “You’re an asshat. What else did you tell her?”
    “Bella, chill out.” Jenna touched her arm and Bella shrugged her off.
    “I will not chill out.” Bella poked Tony in the chest. “You are a total, complete idiot. She’s moving to Australia because you told her to. Do you even know who you’re talking about? Do you care at all?”
    Her eyes dampened, and Tony opened his mouth to respond, but she beat him to it.
    “This is Amy. Not Leanna, who can pick up and go anywhere, anytime, without blinking an eye. Sweet, trusting Amy. Stable, consistent Amy. She worked to build her business for seven years, meticulously building a rapport with each and every client, nurturing relationships as if they were her very best friends. And now she’s giving all that up because you are too scared to tell her that you love her. What the fuck, Tony?” She was breathing so hard her face was red.
    “Bella—”
    “No. Don’t Bella me. I’ve been here, remember? All these summers I’ve watched you care for her, hold her fucking hair back when she pukes. What the hell, Tony? What. The. Hell?”
    Tony scrubbed his hand down his face. As if self-torture wasn’t enough. He didn’t need this shit, even if she was right. “Goddamn it, Bella. What do you want me to do? Amy is good and sweet and, goddamn it, she deserves a guy way better than me.”
    “Bullshit.”
    Leanna stepped between them. Her dark hair was pulled back in a ponytail, and her dress had streaks of red jam on it, as most of her clothing did. “Tony, what are you talking about? She adores you.”
    “Yeah, no shit. I’m not blind, Leanna.” Just stupid .
    “So why did you tell her to go to Australia?” Leanna’s tone softened.
    Tony shook his head. He wanted to have this conversation with Amy, not them. Fuck it . Who was he kidding? They were a package deal. Everyone in the whole damn complex was, and he loved them for it. He just hated being in the center of this shit, knowing he was the cause of it.
    He blew out a breath and clenched his jaw a few times to gain control of his emotions. “Because it’s a great opportunity for her, and she deserves it.” There was no way in hell he was going to tell them shit before he told Amy. He’d already decided he needed to clear the air with her. That’s what he intended to do, but first he had to get them off his back.
    “Look, Amy’s a big girl. She can make decisions for herself. I know you care about her, but you can’t bully me into doing anything, Bella.”
    Bella plunked herself down on his beach chair. “Fuck you.”
    “Bella.” Jenna touched her shoulder, and Bella shrugged her off again.
    “Bella, look.” Tony crouched beside her. “I’ve got a lot of shit to deal with in my own head, all right? You can hate me, and if I were you, I’d probably tell me to fuck