Seaside Dreams (Love in Bloom: Seaside Summers, Book One) Contemporary Romance by Melissa Foster

have any interest in that now, either. She also knew it probably seemed silly to tell Caden or her friends that she didn’t want to date or commit when she was clearly interested in Caden, but it didn’t feel silly. It felt like she was trying to stand firm to her convictions—even if she and Caden were already doing intimate things that she didn’t normally do outside of a committed relationship.
    Maybe life choices weren’t as easy as she’d hoped.
    And if she were honest with herself, it wasn’t Caden who was confusing at all. It was her.
    “What kind of guy won’t…you know…with a woman who’s offering no strings attached?” Bella asked.
    “The gay kind,” Jenna answered.
    “I’m going to put on my therapist hat for a minute.” Tony sat up and leaned his elbows on his knees.
    “You’re not a therapist. You’re a motivational speaker and a surfer, neither of which qualifies you to wear a therapist hat.” The truth was, Bella had gotten lucky in the male friend department. Tony’s advice was usually spot-on.
    “Fair enough,” Tony said. “Then I’m putting on my man hat, and I know I am qualified to wear that. First of all, since when are you looking for a scrump and dump?”
    Bella rolled her eyes. “I’m not looking for a scrump and dump. I just don’t want to have a scrump-and-be-lied - to or a scrump-and-make-bad-life-decisions experience.”
    “Because you dated some asshole who told you he was divorced and he was really working things out with his wife? What power did that guy have over you to make you change who you are? You’re Bella Abbascia, the epitome of strength and confidence. You’re beautiful and smart, and you built an amazing career for yourself. What did that guy do to you for you to leave that all behind?” Tony rose to his feet and paced beside Bella’s chair. “And if he did something so bad, then why the hell didn’t you call me so I could beat the shit out of him?”
    “Excellent point,” Jenna said as she rolled onto her side and put on her sunglasses.
    Bella rose from her lounge chair and sat at the table with a sigh.
    Tony came to her side and placed his hand on her shoulder. “You’re not alone in this, Bella. No matter what it is.”
    “I know.” She leaned back and kicked out a chair. “Sit down.”
    Tony lowered himself to the chair, and Jenna joined them on Bella’s other side.
    Bella pressed her palms flat on the table and drew in a deep breath. She’d held the truth in for months, and it would be a relief to get it off her chest. It would also be a slap in the face, and she knew how much that slap would sting. And she knew that she could spill her guts to Jenna, Tony, or any of the other friends here at Seaside, and they’d soothe that sting with more love than she could ever hope for.
    “Okay. The truth is, it wasn’t him. It was me. It is me. This was my decision any way you cut it. Jay was nothing. He lied to me. Yeah, that stung, but I broke up with him the moment I found out. But changing my life—taking control of my life?” She shook her head. “That’s all me, baby. I took a good look at my love life and my professional life. And trust me, it wasn’t easy to take off the rose-colored glasses and open my eyes, but I did. You’re right, Tony. I’m strong, and you know what? I’m not sure that’s a great thing when it comes to relationships. I’m loud. I say things that can be harsh or misconstrued. I joke about things that other people might not, but I like who I am.”
    Jenna lifted her brows. “We love who you are.”
    “Thank you, Jen. I love you guys, too.” She sighed. “I just realized that maybe the reason relationships don’t work for me is that I’m not supposed to be in one. It seems like we women are always looking for Mr. Right, and I realized that I don’t need Mr. Right. I just need to be happy with myself, and I am. So, I decided to take charge of my life and make a change. Sink or swim. And part of