Starting Back

STARTING BACK STEPHANIE ROSE Starting Back Copyright © 2023 by Stephanie Rose All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted on any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without written permission of the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. This book is a work of fiction. Names, Characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locals is entirely coincidental. Except the original material written by the author, all songs, song titles, and lyrics contained in the book are the property of the respective songwriters and copyright holders. Cover Design: Kari March at Kari March Designs Cover Photo: © Shutterstock Editing: Lisa Hollett—Silently Correcting Your Grammar Proofreading: Jodi Duggan ISBN: 979-8-88643-906-9 (ebook) ISBN: 979-8-88643-907-6 (paperback) 012023 CONTENTS 1. Kristina 2. Kristina 3. Leo 4. Kristina 5. Leo 6. Kristina 7. Kristina 8. Leo 9. Kristina 10. Leo 11. Kristina 12. Kristina 13. Kristina 14. Leo 15. Kristina 16. Leo 17. Kristina 18. Kristina 19. Kristina 20. Leo 21. Kristina 22. Leo 23. Kristina 24. Kristina 25. Leo 26. Leo 27. Kristina 28. Kristina 29. Leo 30. Kristina 31. Kristina 32. Leo 33. Leo 34. Kristina 35. Leo 36. Kristina 37. Leo 38. Kristina 39. Leo 40. Kristina Epilogue What to read next? Acknowledgments Author’s Note About the Author Books by Stephanie For Ann Marie, since this was all your idea. Who knew a sea-themed dish towel would be such an awesome writing prompt? Thank you for harassing your firefighter nurse co-worker for information and for being my found family. And for Jessenia, for being the friend I needed these past few months. I hope you enjoy the book you helped bring to life. ONE KRISTINA “Welcome to Turtle Bay!” I pushed a smile across my lips in a feeble attempt to mimic the cheerful greeting from the resort clerk. “Thank you,” I said with as much enthusiasm as I could muster while I tried to keep hold of my carry-on bag and suitcase behind me. “What is your name?” I dropped the carry-on at my feet when she turned to her computer screen. “Kristina Webber. But the reservation may be under my friend’s name, Nicole Kent.” “Ah yes, you have the suite. And it looks like you have an upgrade?” “We do? I mean, I do?” What could be an upgrade from a two-bedroom suite I had to stay in alone? “A complimentary couple’s massage was added.” Guilt twisted my stomach at her elated expression, and to be this upset over disappointing a stranger spoke to the problems that followed me from New York. “I don’t think Nicole booked a couple’s vacation, but I could be wrong. We’re not—” “Oh, don’t worry about that.” She waved a hand, her blue fingernails racing over the keys. “No one will ask if you’re an actual couple.” “Well, that’s nice, but only I’ll be in the suite for the next few days. I think Nicole said she called ahead to note that. But, hey, if they can give me two massages, I can go twice,” I joked, but as her lips twisted at the screen in response, I guessed I wasn’t that funny. All I wanted to do was change into my bathing suit and find some frosty cocktails, anything that would make me forget that I was at this gorgeous resort in the Florida Keys alone, or keep me from panicking over what the hell I was supposed to do with all that time to myself. “Yes, she did call ahead to put the suite in your name. So sorry about that, Ms. Webber.” I nodded, leaning against the counter as I took in all the groups of friends and couples around me. The lobby was crowded, but the impending loneliness was already palpable. “Can I help you with your bags, miss?” One of the resort workers, a young man who could almost pass for my high school junior nephew’s age, motioned to the large pink bag at my feet. “Thank you so much,” I said, a real smile stretching across my lips at his use of miss, not ma’am. “I just need to get my room key.” “Here you go. One and a spare.” The desk clerk handed me two white keycards. “Have a wonderful stay and let us know if you need anything.” “Thank you.” I took the keycards from her hand and leaned in to peek at her name tag. “Nancy.” I was too embarrassed to follow up on a substitute for the couple’s massage and trailed behind the resort worker down the long path to my suite. I turned my head at every splash and laugh, and I needed to snap out of this mood if I was going to make the most of this solo vacation. “Here you are. Enjoy.” I gave him a nice tip after he opened the door and set down my bags. Despite how tempted I was to just nap under the covers, I tore through my suitcase for my bathing suit and cover-up and changed before I called Nicole. She’d requested a phone call the minute I checked in for me to report back on the room—and probably for her to apologize ten more times. “I’m so sorry,” Nicole sniffled over the speakerphone. “I wanted to go on this trip with you so badly.” She lost her words to a hacking cough. “I know that, but you couldn’t travel with a hundred and three fever, and I wouldn’t have wanted you to.” I sighed and plopped down onto one of the beds in our—my—suite, smoothing my hand over the plush white comforter. “Please stop apologizing. I just want you to rest and feel better.” “But this was supposed to be our vacation in the Keys, and I left you all alone.” Her