The Sway and Slide of Love

"Ms. Swanson!" a man called out excitedly from behind just as Noelle and Rosie reached the beach.

He was wearing only swim trunks and a pair of sunglasses. His tall frame and striking features drew plenty of attention from those around him, but he seemed completely used to it.noveldrama

He walked up to Noelle with a grin. "What a coincidence to run into you here! By the way, where's your boyfriend?"

Noelle pursed her lips before replying, "Hello, Mr. Lawson. It's been a while."

"It has," Erwin said, removing his sunglasses and giving her a once-over.

He seemed unimpressed by her modest swimsuit. He clicked his tongue before asking, "Why aren't you wearing the outfit from earlier? Or is that just something special for your boyfriend?"

His words bordered on disrespectful, but Noelle knew he wasn't trying to flirt with her. Simply put, he didn't see her that way. From the woman who was just by his side, it was clear that he liked tall women with perfect figures.

Hendrix had mentioned before that Erwin changed girlfriends so quickly that it was hard to keep up. The faint interests he'd shown in Noelle before had only been because she was Hendrix's wife. He'd wanted to know what made her special enough to make Hendrix willingly be tied down.

Now that she no longer was Hendrix's wife, there was no way Erwin would still have any interest in her. At the moment, his words were more like an insult.

Having no intention of answering Erwin, Noelle quickly changed the subject. "What are you doing here?"

Displeased, Erwin frowned slightly before replying, "I'm obviously here on vacation."

"Oh, well, I won't keep you, then," Noelle said.

With that, she took Rosie's hand and started to walk away.

Erwin didn't stop her. Instead, he simply narrowed his eyes at their retreating figures.

Holding on to Noelle's hand, Rosie glanced back at Erwin. "Mommy, who's that?"

"Just someone I know."

"Oh. He's still watching us. When is Mr. Pritchett coming down?"

"He said he had to make a phone call. Why?"

"I want him to come protect you."

Rosie's words made Noelle pause, then laugh softly. "Don't worry. He won't do anything to us."

"Then, why are we leaving?"

"Because Mommy doesn't like him and doesn't want to see him."

That explanation seemed to satisfy Rosie.

Though Erwin didn't approach them again, he lingered nearby.

As Noelle and Rosie sat on the sand building a castle, she could feel his eyes on her. It was as if he'd found a new toy to amuse himself with. The attention made her deeply uncomfortable.

Dylan joined them soon after. He

didn't seem to notice Erwin. He

simply twisted open a bottle of

water and handed it to Noelle before apologizing.

"Sorry. I had to take a call."

"Don't worry about it," Noelle said.

"I looked up a few good restaurants nearby. What do you and Rosie feel like eating later?"

As he spoke, he sat down beside Noelle. He wasn't sitting too close, yet Noelle could still clearly sense the message he was sending. She wiggled her toes awkwardly

O.UMS

Just then, Rosie asked her to help grab a small shovel, and she got up without hesitation.