Chapter 334
Madison
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“I can’t believe we finally get to meet you,” Mia said, adjusting her rearview mirror to look at me. “Hazel makes you sound like some corporate superhero.”
I laughed. “Hardly. I just have a job that requires long hours.”
“Same, girl,” Mia nodded, pulling into traffic. “But that’s why days like this are essential. All work and no play makes Madison a dull corporate drone.”
“Is that how the saying goes?” I smiled, leaning back against the seat.
“In Hazel’s retelling, yes,” Mia chuckled, turning up the radio. “She says you’re basically married to your desk.”
“Hazel exaggerates,” I protested, shooting a look at my friend in the passenger seat.
“Do I?” Hazel twisted around. “When was the last time you had a beach day?”
I opened my mouth to answer, but realized I couldn’t remember. “Okay, point taken.”
The car ride to Rockaway Beach was surprisingly fun. Mia had excellent taste in music, and Hazel kept us laughing with stories from their office. For the first time in months, I felt my shoulders relax as the cityscape gave way to coastal views.
“So Madison,” Mia asked, “what exactly do you do at Knight Industries? Hazel’s been vague on details.”
“I’m a project manager,” I replied. “I oversee the Manhattan development project.‘
“Fancy,” she whistled. “Important enough to have the big boss’s ear?”
“Something like that,” I smiled noncommittally.
Hazel caught my eye in the mirror and winked. I knew what she was thinking, but thankfully, she kept quiet about Alexander.
When we arrived at the beach, it was already bustling with Sunday crowds. Families with colorful umbrellas dotted the sand, children raced between towels, and the scent of sunscreen mingled with salt air.
“Prime real estate,” Nathaniel announced as we all congregated in the parking lot. “Let’s claim it before those teenagers do.”
We made a beeline for a perfect spot, not too close to the water but with an unobstructed view. Devon and Nathaniel spread blankets while Ariana unpacked a portable speaker. Within minutes, our little beach camp was established.
I slipped off my sundress, suddenly self–conscious in my blue bikini. It had been a while since I’d worn so little in public.
“Damn, Madison!” Leila exclaimed. “You’ve been hiding that body under business suits?”
I blushed. “The Knight Industries dress code doesn’t exactly include swimwear.”
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“Their loss,” Devon said appreciatively, earning him an elbow from Hazel.
“Eyes elsewhere, buddy. She’s taken.”
I shot Hazel a warning look, but she just shrugged.
“Actually, I’m focusing on my career right now,” I said quickly.
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“Single by choice?” Leila asked, applying sunscreen to her arms. “I respect that. Men are exhausting.”
“Amen,” Ariana agreed, raising her water bottle in a toast.
“Not all men,” Nathaniel protested.
“Yes, all men,” the women replied in unison, dissolving into laughter.
I relaxed a bit, realizing no one was particularly interested in my dating status. Hazel handed me a cold beer from the cooler, and I accepted gratefully.
“To escaping the office,” she declared, clinking her bottle against mine.
“I’ll drink to that,” I smiled, taking a long sip.
The afternoon unfolded in a delightful blur. We swam in the refreshingly cool Atlantic, played an extremely uncoordinated game of beach volleyball, and dozed on towels under the summer sun. No one mentioned work, relationships, or anything more serious than which food truck had the best tacos.
“Madison, heads up!” Nathaniel called, sending a frisbee spinning toward me.
I leapt up and caught it, surprising myself with my reflexes.
“Nice!” Devon applauded. “The corporate world hasn’t completely destroyed your athletic ability.”
“I was the junior frisbee champion of my block when I was ten,” I laughed, sending the disc sailing back toward
him.
We played frisbee until we were breathless and laughing, then collapsed back onto our towels. I couldn’t remember the last time I felt so carefree and unburdened by responsibilities and expectations.
“I need to do this more often,” I admitted, stretching out on my towel.
“You really do,” Hazel agreed. “All work and no play makes Madison… what was it again, Mia?”
“A dull corporate drone,” Mia supplied,
“Right. That.” Hazel nudged me with her foot. “Seriously, you look happier today than you have in months.”
I realized she was right. The constant tension in my shoulders had eased, and the knot of anxiety that had taken
up permanent residence in my stomach had loosened. I wasn’t thinking about Alexander, Katherine, the Manhattan Project, or my mother’s medical bills.
I was just… being.
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Chapter 334
“Food run!” Ariana announced, sitting up. “Who wants what?”
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We placed our orders, and Ariana and Devon volunteered to brave the food truck lines. The rest of us settled into a comfortable conversation about nothing important: favorite beaches, worst sunburn stories, childhood summer memories.
“Remember that summer we went to Coney Island and you got so sunburned you couldn’t wear a bra for a week? “Hazel reminded me, giggling.
I groaned. “Don’t remind me. I had to wear band t–shirts to my internship.”
“Corporate rebellion at its finest,” Nathaniel laughed.
“I wasn’t always the buttoned–up professional you see before you,” I said, spreading my arms wide to showcase my current bikini–clad state.
“Clearly,” Mia observed dryly. “What happened? When did you transform into a workaholic?”
The question wasn’t meant to be serious, but it gave me pause. When had I stopped making time for days like this? When had work become my entire identity?
“I guess gradually,” I admitted. “First job out of college, wanting to prove myself. Then it just became a habit.”
“Balance is key,” Leila said sagely. “My therapist says we should have at least three identities: professional, personal, and passionate.”
“Passionate?” I questioned.
“Something that lights you up that isn’t tied to work or relationships,” she explained. “Mine is competitive ballroom dancing.”
“No way,” I said, surprised.
“Three–time regional champion,” she confirmed with a grin.
“What’s yours, Madison?” Nathaniel asked.
I opened my mouth, then closed it. What was my passion? When was the last time I’d done something just because I loved it?
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Chapter 335
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
