Beach house summer, p.19
Beach House Summer, page 19
“Sure. Although mostly I don’t even think about them. It’s instinctive.”
“You have instinctive rules for dating.”
“Yes. Rule number one—” Ashley held up a finger “—does he make you laugh? That’s the single most important one. You are not going to have fun if your date doesn’t make you laugh.” It felt like an age since her life had been focused on simple things like her dating rules. An age since her priorities had been hanging out with her friends, and talking about fashion and music.
“Laugh. Right.” Joanna nodded. “Rule number two?”
“Listening skills. I am not spending five minutes with someone who is more interested in looking at his phone or over his shoulder at the girl behind me when I’m right there in front of him. Either I’m the most interesting thing in his life at that moment, or I’m gone.”
“Does anyone take you on a date or are they too scared?”
Ashley grinned. “I demand respect, that’s true. My mother taught me that, which makes it all the more odd that she had an affair with Cliff.”
“Cliff could do those things,” Joanna said. “Cliff could make a woman laugh. He could listen and make her feel as if she was the only woman in the world.”
“But? There has to be a but.”
“But he didn’t mean it. It was all part of his play. Fake. I don’t know how to spot a fake. If I’d dated more when I was young maybe I would have learned.”
“How many men did you date before Cliff?”
“One.”
“One? Are we talking about Nate?” It must have been even more serious than she’d thought. “And was that fun?”
“It was fun until it wasn’t fun.”
“Why did you break up?”
Joanna leaned forward. “Ashley, we’re sitting on the terrace of his restaurant.” Her voice was barely audible. “Things are already awkward. If he overhears this conversation I will have to go back to wearing a disguise. I’d like to talk about something else.”
“Okay. We’ll talk about your dating plans. Let’s work up a profile for you.”
“No dating. For me, relationships aren’t fun. They’re stress.”
Ashley thought about Jon, about their trips to the movies where they shared popcorn and laughed. They weren’t dating as such, but they’d had fun together. That was what Joanna needed. Someone to have fun with. And share friendship. It seemed to Ashley that was what Joanna lacked most in her life. Good friends.
“Okay. I’ll say no more.” For now. Ashley reached across the table and gave her hand a squeeze. “You should eat something. If you don’t eat what’s on your plate, he’s going to ask you what’s put you off your food. Do you really want that conversation?”
Joanna sighed and picked up her fork. “Fine. I’ll eat.”
Ashley decided a change of subject was necessary. “Were you serious about not hiding? Because I’d love to take a look around this place. It’s pretty, and I saw a cute dress in one of the stores.” She wanted to do something about Joanna’s “uniform” of jeans and white shirt, but one thing at a time.
“We can go shopping.”
Ashley was about to reply when Mel appeared at the table.
“How are you both doing?” She was a little hesitant, as if she wasn’t sure of her reception. “Can I fetch you more drinks? Anything?”
Joanna shook her head. “We’re fine, thanks, Mel.”
Was that all she was going to say? To a woman who had once been her best friend?
She was scared, Ashley realized. Scared of putting herself out there. Scared of being hurt again. Dates. Friendship. They all required the same thing—a willingness to make yourself vulnerable, and that required trust. Joanna had lost her trust in people.
Ashley took over. “Will you join us for a minute?” She saw Joanna tense but ignored it. “We want to go shopping. Where’s the best place?”
“For clothes?” Mel sat down. “Ocean Boutique. It’s owned and run by Rosa, who was at school with us. She has a good eye. Her stuff is great. You should start there. If you don’t find what you need you could try Rags to Riches, but their stuff is a little more formal. I’m glad you’re going to head into town. What else do you guys have planned?”
Joanna shook her head. “Nothing.”
“In that case, you should come over. Greg and I live in one of the houses down on Ocean. We’re having a barbecue tomorrow. It would give us a chance to properly catch up, Joanna. I’d really like that.” She paused, unsure, and Ashley realized Joanna wasn’t the only one who was nervous.
Joanna frowned. “A barbecue?”
“Yes. You can meet our daughter, Eden.” Mel smiled at Ashley. “It’s family night, and she would be so pleased to be able to hang out with someone close to her age, instead of her parents and uncle.”
Family night. Ashley felt a pang. It sounded wonderful to her, but Joanna was still frowning.
“Nate would be there, too?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t think—”
“It sounds brilliant,” Ashley intervened before Joanna could wreck what sounded like a perfect evening. “We’ll be there. What time? What should we bring?”
“Come at seven?” Mel stood up. “Bring yourselves, that’s it. And maybe swimsuits, in case we swim.”
“Seven. Swimsuits. Got it.” Ashley beamed. “Thanks, Mel.”
Mel disappeared back inside the café and Joanna stared at her in despair.
“Why did you say yes?”
“Because I’m a teenager and life has been far too heavy lately. I need light relief. I need entertaining and family night sounded like fun. Also because you weren’t going to, and this is the perfect opportunity for you to spend time and relax with—” She almost said Nate, and then decided Joanna might refuse to go. “Your friends.”
“I don’t think it will be relaxing. It will be stressful.”
“A barbecue overlooking the ocean? How is that stressful?”
“It’s not the food that’s stressful, it’s the people. And the circumstances. You’re behaving as if we’re old friends, but we haven’t talked properly in twenty years.”
Ashley almost said, Then it’s beyond time, but decided that would be rude. “It’s just a barbecue. It might be fun, and if it isn’t we can leave.”
“You’d leave?”
“Yes. We can have a signal, like my friends and I do when we go on dates. We can press the emergency button.” She had no intention of pressing that button. “But as this isn’t a date, and there are going to be a few people, I don’t think we’re going to need to do that. It will be fun. But I need something to wear.” And so do you, Ashley thought. “Let’s try that boutique Mel suggested. We could go right now, before a bunch of reporters show up.” She should probably be saving what little money she had for the baby, but she’d worry about that later. The tiny amount she’d spend on clothes was hardly going to solve her problem, anyway. The panic that had haunted her since she’d stepped into the car with Cliff hovered close. She forced herself to breathe and ignore it.
Nate appeared at their table. “How were the pancakes?”
“Amazing, delicious, best ever.” Ashley was grateful for the distraction. “Thank you for everything.”
“Of course.” Nate scooped up their plates. “What are your plans now?”
“We’re going shopping,” Ashley spoke quickly, before Joanna could say something different. “I need clothes.”
“And no doubt Joanna needs books.” Nate glanced at her and Ashley thought, He knows her.
“Yes, books.”
“Greg has asked around, and there is no sign of any reporters or photographers in town. So you’re good to wander around if you feel like it. Come back here for lunch if you get hungry. The shrimp salad is good.” He paused. “No one is going to bother you, Jo. Not with Greg around, ready to uphold the law, and Mel with that temper of hers.”
He called her Jo, Ashley thought. Not Joanna. Jo.
Joanna looked directly at him. “And what about you? What do you bring to this protection detail?”
“I don’t know.” Nate smiled. “Macadamia cookies?”
That smile.
Ashley decided that if Nate was just a little younger, and she wasn’t secretly in love with Jon, she would have dated him herself.
The smile wasn’t lost on Joanna, either, if the flush on her cheeks was anything to go by. She was normally so composed, but right now she looked like a flustered teenager.
So either that was because this was Nate, and she was finding it awkward, or because this was Nate, and she found him attractive.
It had to be weird, seeing someone you were once in love with. And it didn’t seem as if they hated each other.
But Joanna had been loyal to Cliff for two decades.
Joanna thought relationships were too much trouble.
Joanna didn’t want to date.
“We might be too busy shopping to make it for lunch,” Ashley said, “but we’ll be seeing you tomorrow evening for a barbecue. Mel invited us.” And maybe, she thought, the best way to persuade Joanna to expand her social life was to ease her into it. A barbecue wasn’t a date. But maybe it would turn into that?
What was the point of setting up a dating profile when a suitable candidate was right under your nose?
“Is that right?” Nate’s gaze shifted to Joanna. “Then I look forward to catching up properly then.” He waved away her offer of her card. “Breakfast is on the house. I’ll see you tomorrow. Is a blue cheese burger still your favorite?”
“No,” Joanna said. “I’m vegetarian.”
Joanna wasn’t vegetarian. Ashley had seen her eat meat. And fish.
“No problem. I make the best veggie burger you’ve ever tasted. See you tomorrow.” He strolled to take an order from another table and Ashley gave Joanna a look.
“You’re not vegetarian.”
“I could be. I’ve been thinking about it.”
“Well, that’s good, because it looks as if you’re eating a veggie burger tomorrow.”
“Fine.” Joanna gave Ashley an exasperated look. “Why are you smiling?”
“Because for the first time in months I don’t feel totally crap. My tummy is full of pancakes, the sun is shining and I like your friends.”
“Good. Because you’ll be on your own with them tomorrow. I’m not going.”
“Because of the veggie burger?”
“No! Not because of the veggie burger. Because...because—”
“Because you’re scared. I know. I get it. But it’s going to be great, Joanna. Once you get past that awkwardness, it’s going to be fun.”
“You don’t know that.”
“I do. These are good people. Whatever happened in the past, you used to enjoy being with them. I think you can enjoy being with them again. If I’m wrong, if you don’t enjoy yourself, then you get to pick where we go next.”
Joanna sighed. “All right.”
Ashley smiled and finished the strawberries.
All she had to do now was make sure Joanna had fun.
15
Joanna
It felt strange to be back in Silver Point, walking along the pretty cobbled streets, gazing into shop windows, some familiar, some new. The old-fashioned candy store that Joanna had visited with her father had been replaced by a gallery, and there was a new coffee shop on the corner of Ocean Drive that hadn’t been there when she left. But much of it was the same. There was the gift shop with its quirky window displays. Frozen Flavor, the ice cream parlor that she and Mel had frequented every week, still there and with the line stretching out of the door. Martinello’s, the Italian bistro that had been in the same spot, run by the same family for three generations. People came and then fell in love with the area and stayed, and today it wasn’t hard to see why. The early-morning mist had cleared, the sun shone and colorful blooms billowed from pots and window boxes. It was fairy-tale pretty, but Joanna found it almost impossible to relax.
When Ashley paused to admire a pair of earrings in a window, Joanna checked over her shoulder. It was a habit that was hard to break, particularly knowing the story that was brewing.
They’d come. She knew they’d come. But that wasn’t the thought uppermost in her mind.
“Do you think the blue ones are pretty?” Ashley pointed at a pair of delicate earrings and Joanna tried to focus.
“Very pretty. You should have them.” Was Nate feeling unsettled, too? Had he felt the same way she had? It was unnerving to feel anything at all after twenty years. Why would that happen? Was it nostalgia? Memories?
It had surprised her to see him there, running the place. He’d had plans. Ambitions. A lust for travel. She hadn’t thought he’d end up running the family restaurant. She hadn’t thought the Surf Café and Silver Point would be enough. She’d been even more surprised to discover that Mel was working there, too. When she was young, she’d had other plans.
But wasn’t that true of all of them?
It was obvious now that Nate hadn’t told his twin sister anything about the ending of their relationship. And maybe that wasn’t such a surprise. Nate had always been protective of their relationship. I just want you to know, he’d told her once, that what happens between us is between us. I’d never talk about it with anyone. By “anyone,” he’d meant Mel, his twin, and Joanna had liked that because it had made what they had special. It meant that there was a part of Nate that was hers and no one else’s. But she could see now that by not being truthful about the breakup, he’d caused Mel pain.
“I’m going to look around first, in case I see something I like more. I have a strict budget, so I need to make sure I spend it well.” Ashley glanced at her. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“You look a little freaked out. Are you stressing about someone seeing us and calling the press?”
“I’m not stressed.” She didn’t add that having sat on the deck in full view of the world for several hours, it was almost inevitable that someone would call the press. “Why don’t I buy these for you? My treat.”
“No, but thank you.” Ashley gave a determined smile. “You’re already giving me support and a place to stay. It’s enough.”
“Consider it a loan if that helps. When you’re back on your feet, you can pay me back.” She had no intention of asking for the money back, but if it made Ashley feel better, then it was worth saying.
“That’s kind, but I still want to make sure I’ve seen everything.” True to her word she proceeded to explore every store in town, lingering over sparkly earrings, trying on clothes, salivating over a pair of shoes.
Joanna hovered close by, looking out of the window and thinking about Nate.
She thought about the moment when she’d walked into the office and slammed straight into him.
The shock of that unexpected physical contact had almost had her running out of the door. Only the knowledge that Ashley needed her kept her from leaving.
She’d tried not to panic at the powerful response that engulfed her. She’d told herself it was shock, but she knew it wasn’t shock. She told herself that it was anxiety or lack of food—but she knew it was neither of those things, either.
Sexual attraction.
It had been so long since she’d felt it that she was surprised she even recognized it. But it turned out it was a sensation that you didn’t forget. Fortunately it was a sensation you could also hide and she was confident she’d made it through her first meeting with Nate without making a total fool of herself. It was normal that she’d think about the past, and what they’d once shared together. It meant nothing, and neither did the warmth of his smile.
Nate had always been an amiable, friendly guy. He smiled at everyone. Made everyone around him feel comfortable and important.
Yes, she’d felt something when she saw him again but she wouldn’t be doing anything to encourage those feelings. She wouldn’t be exploring where they might take her.
No matter how much Ashley tried to persuade her, she wouldn’t be dating. She wouldn’t be scanning photographs and bios on the internet, pondering over guys who claimed to like long walks in the country and movie nights. She wasn’t going to be dreaming of romance. She didn’t want romance. She’d be content with peace and quiet and a life that didn’t involve being followed around by people with cameras.
“There it is—” Ashley grabbed her arm and pointed to the boutique Mel mentioned. “Can we go there?”
“Of course.” Maybe Ashley’s enthusiasm would distract her. And inside a store it was less likely that anyone would spot them.
Joanna pushed open the door and Ashley gave a murmur of appreciation as she saw the neatly stacked shelves and racks of clothes.
“Welcome!” A woman appeared from the back of the store. She was the epitome of style. She wore high heels, a fitted dress in a flattering shade of blue and her hair fell past her shoulders in carefully curated waves. “If you need any help, or you can’t find something in your size, just let me know and I’ll—Joanna?” She moved closer, scanned Joanna’s face carefully and then smiled. “Joanna! It is you.”
Joanna froze. It was inevitable that someone would recognize her, but she’d hoped it would be later rather than sooner. “Rosa. How are you?”
“I’m good! I had no idea you were in town.”
“I haven’t publicized it.”
“Of course you haven’t. Why would you?” Rosa rolled her eyes in acknowledgment of the challenges. “Well, I for one am glad you’re home.”
Home? Did Silver Point feel like home?
“Thank you, Rosa.” Joanna remembered her manners. “This is Ashley. She’s staying with me.” She watched Rosa closely, waiting for her reaction, but Rosa’s face didn’t change.
“Good to meet you, Ashley. I hope you find something perfect. Are you looking for beachwear? Something more formal? I have some gorgeous pieces that came in just this morning. The fitting room is at the back if you’d like to try things.” She turned back to Joanna. “So are you back here permanently? What you’ve done to Otter’s Nest is astonishing. That living area with the glass—”
“You have instinctive rules for dating.”
“Yes. Rule number one—” Ashley held up a finger “—does he make you laugh? That’s the single most important one. You are not going to have fun if your date doesn’t make you laugh.” It felt like an age since her life had been focused on simple things like her dating rules. An age since her priorities had been hanging out with her friends, and talking about fashion and music.
“Laugh. Right.” Joanna nodded. “Rule number two?”
“Listening skills. I am not spending five minutes with someone who is more interested in looking at his phone or over his shoulder at the girl behind me when I’m right there in front of him. Either I’m the most interesting thing in his life at that moment, or I’m gone.”
“Does anyone take you on a date or are they too scared?”
Ashley grinned. “I demand respect, that’s true. My mother taught me that, which makes it all the more odd that she had an affair with Cliff.”
“Cliff could do those things,” Joanna said. “Cliff could make a woman laugh. He could listen and make her feel as if she was the only woman in the world.”
“But? There has to be a but.”
“But he didn’t mean it. It was all part of his play. Fake. I don’t know how to spot a fake. If I’d dated more when I was young maybe I would have learned.”
“How many men did you date before Cliff?”
“One.”
“One? Are we talking about Nate?” It must have been even more serious than she’d thought. “And was that fun?”
“It was fun until it wasn’t fun.”
“Why did you break up?”
Joanna leaned forward. “Ashley, we’re sitting on the terrace of his restaurant.” Her voice was barely audible. “Things are already awkward. If he overhears this conversation I will have to go back to wearing a disguise. I’d like to talk about something else.”
“Okay. We’ll talk about your dating plans. Let’s work up a profile for you.”
“No dating. For me, relationships aren’t fun. They’re stress.”
Ashley thought about Jon, about their trips to the movies where they shared popcorn and laughed. They weren’t dating as such, but they’d had fun together. That was what Joanna needed. Someone to have fun with. And share friendship. It seemed to Ashley that was what Joanna lacked most in her life. Good friends.
“Okay. I’ll say no more.” For now. Ashley reached across the table and gave her hand a squeeze. “You should eat something. If you don’t eat what’s on your plate, he’s going to ask you what’s put you off your food. Do you really want that conversation?”
Joanna sighed and picked up her fork. “Fine. I’ll eat.”
Ashley decided a change of subject was necessary. “Were you serious about not hiding? Because I’d love to take a look around this place. It’s pretty, and I saw a cute dress in one of the stores.” She wanted to do something about Joanna’s “uniform” of jeans and white shirt, but one thing at a time.
“We can go shopping.”
Ashley was about to reply when Mel appeared at the table.
“How are you both doing?” She was a little hesitant, as if she wasn’t sure of her reception. “Can I fetch you more drinks? Anything?”
Joanna shook her head. “We’re fine, thanks, Mel.”
Was that all she was going to say? To a woman who had once been her best friend?
She was scared, Ashley realized. Scared of putting herself out there. Scared of being hurt again. Dates. Friendship. They all required the same thing—a willingness to make yourself vulnerable, and that required trust. Joanna had lost her trust in people.
Ashley took over. “Will you join us for a minute?” She saw Joanna tense but ignored it. “We want to go shopping. Where’s the best place?”
“For clothes?” Mel sat down. “Ocean Boutique. It’s owned and run by Rosa, who was at school with us. She has a good eye. Her stuff is great. You should start there. If you don’t find what you need you could try Rags to Riches, but their stuff is a little more formal. I’m glad you’re going to head into town. What else do you guys have planned?”
Joanna shook her head. “Nothing.”
“In that case, you should come over. Greg and I live in one of the houses down on Ocean. We’re having a barbecue tomorrow. It would give us a chance to properly catch up, Joanna. I’d really like that.” She paused, unsure, and Ashley realized Joanna wasn’t the only one who was nervous.
Joanna frowned. “A barbecue?”
“Yes. You can meet our daughter, Eden.” Mel smiled at Ashley. “It’s family night, and she would be so pleased to be able to hang out with someone close to her age, instead of her parents and uncle.”
Family night. Ashley felt a pang. It sounded wonderful to her, but Joanna was still frowning.
“Nate would be there, too?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t think—”
“It sounds brilliant,” Ashley intervened before Joanna could wreck what sounded like a perfect evening. “We’ll be there. What time? What should we bring?”
“Come at seven?” Mel stood up. “Bring yourselves, that’s it. And maybe swimsuits, in case we swim.”
“Seven. Swimsuits. Got it.” Ashley beamed. “Thanks, Mel.”
Mel disappeared back inside the café and Joanna stared at her in despair.
“Why did you say yes?”
“Because I’m a teenager and life has been far too heavy lately. I need light relief. I need entertaining and family night sounded like fun. Also because you weren’t going to, and this is the perfect opportunity for you to spend time and relax with—” She almost said Nate, and then decided Joanna might refuse to go. “Your friends.”
“I don’t think it will be relaxing. It will be stressful.”
“A barbecue overlooking the ocean? How is that stressful?”
“It’s not the food that’s stressful, it’s the people. And the circumstances. You’re behaving as if we’re old friends, but we haven’t talked properly in twenty years.”
Ashley almost said, Then it’s beyond time, but decided that would be rude. “It’s just a barbecue. It might be fun, and if it isn’t we can leave.”
“You’d leave?”
“Yes. We can have a signal, like my friends and I do when we go on dates. We can press the emergency button.” She had no intention of pressing that button. “But as this isn’t a date, and there are going to be a few people, I don’t think we’re going to need to do that. It will be fun. But I need something to wear.” And so do you, Ashley thought. “Let’s try that boutique Mel suggested. We could go right now, before a bunch of reporters show up.” She should probably be saving what little money she had for the baby, but she’d worry about that later. The tiny amount she’d spend on clothes was hardly going to solve her problem, anyway. The panic that had haunted her since she’d stepped into the car with Cliff hovered close. She forced herself to breathe and ignore it.
Nate appeared at their table. “How were the pancakes?”
“Amazing, delicious, best ever.” Ashley was grateful for the distraction. “Thank you for everything.”
“Of course.” Nate scooped up their plates. “What are your plans now?”
“We’re going shopping,” Ashley spoke quickly, before Joanna could say something different. “I need clothes.”
“And no doubt Joanna needs books.” Nate glanced at her and Ashley thought, He knows her.
“Yes, books.”
“Greg has asked around, and there is no sign of any reporters or photographers in town. So you’re good to wander around if you feel like it. Come back here for lunch if you get hungry. The shrimp salad is good.” He paused. “No one is going to bother you, Jo. Not with Greg around, ready to uphold the law, and Mel with that temper of hers.”
He called her Jo, Ashley thought. Not Joanna. Jo.
Joanna looked directly at him. “And what about you? What do you bring to this protection detail?”
“I don’t know.” Nate smiled. “Macadamia cookies?”
That smile.
Ashley decided that if Nate was just a little younger, and she wasn’t secretly in love with Jon, she would have dated him herself.
The smile wasn’t lost on Joanna, either, if the flush on her cheeks was anything to go by. She was normally so composed, but right now she looked like a flustered teenager.
So either that was because this was Nate, and she was finding it awkward, or because this was Nate, and she found him attractive.
It had to be weird, seeing someone you were once in love with. And it didn’t seem as if they hated each other.
But Joanna had been loyal to Cliff for two decades.
Joanna thought relationships were too much trouble.
Joanna didn’t want to date.
“We might be too busy shopping to make it for lunch,” Ashley said, “but we’ll be seeing you tomorrow evening for a barbecue. Mel invited us.” And maybe, she thought, the best way to persuade Joanna to expand her social life was to ease her into it. A barbecue wasn’t a date. But maybe it would turn into that?
What was the point of setting up a dating profile when a suitable candidate was right under your nose?
“Is that right?” Nate’s gaze shifted to Joanna. “Then I look forward to catching up properly then.” He waved away her offer of her card. “Breakfast is on the house. I’ll see you tomorrow. Is a blue cheese burger still your favorite?”
“No,” Joanna said. “I’m vegetarian.”
Joanna wasn’t vegetarian. Ashley had seen her eat meat. And fish.
“No problem. I make the best veggie burger you’ve ever tasted. See you tomorrow.” He strolled to take an order from another table and Ashley gave Joanna a look.
“You’re not vegetarian.”
“I could be. I’ve been thinking about it.”
“Well, that’s good, because it looks as if you’re eating a veggie burger tomorrow.”
“Fine.” Joanna gave Ashley an exasperated look. “Why are you smiling?”
“Because for the first time in months I don’t feel totally crap. My tummy is full of pancakes, the sun is shining and I like your friends.”
“Good. Because you’ll be on your own with them tomorrow. I’m not going.”
“Because of the veggie burger?”
“No! Not because of the veggie burger. Because...because—”
“Because you’re scared. I know. I get it. But it’s going to be great, Joanna. Once you get past that awkwardness, it’s going to be fun.”
“You don’t know that.”
“I do. These are good people. Whatever happened in the past, you used to enjoy being with them. I think you can enjoy being with them again. If I’m wrong, if you don’t enjoy yourself, then you get to pick where we go next.”
Joanna sighed. “All right.”
Ashley smiled and finished the strawberries.
All she had to do now was make sure Joanna had fun.
15
Joanna
It felt strange to be back in Silver Point, walking along the pretty cobbled streets, gazing into shop windows, some familiar, some new. The old-fashioned candy store that Joanna had visited with her father had been replaced by a gallery, and there was a new coffee shop on the corner of Ocean Drive that hadn’t been there when she left. But much of it was the same. There was the gift shop with its quirky window displays. Frozen Flavor, the ice cream parlor that she and Mel had frequented every week, still there and with the line stretching out of the door. Martinello’s, the Italian bistro that had been in the same spot, run by the same family for three generations. People came and then fell in love with the area and stayed, and today it wasn’t hard to see why. The early-morning mist had cleared, the sun shone and colorful blooms billowed from pots and window boxes. It was fairy-tale pretty, but Joanna found it almost impossible to relax.
When Ashley paused to admire a pair of earrings in a window, Joanna checked over her shoulder. It was a habit that was hard to break, particularly knowing the story that was brewing.
They’d come. She knew they’d come. But that wasn’t the thought uppermost in her mind.
“Do you think the blue ones are pretty?” Ashley pointed at a pair of delicate earrings and Joanna tried to focus.
“Very pretty. You should have them.” Was Nate feeling unsettled, too? Had he felt the same way she had? It was unnerving to feel anything at all after twenty years. Why would that happen? Was it nostalgia? Memories?
It had surprised her to see him there, running the place. He’d had plans. Ambitions. A lust for travel. She hadn’t thought he’d end up running the family restaurant. She hadn’t thought the Surf Café and Silver Point would be enough. She’d been even more surprised to discover that Mel was working there, too. When she was young, she’d had other plans.
But wasn’t that true of all of them?
It was obvious now that Nate hadn’t told his twin sister anything about the ending of their relationship. And maybe that wasn’t such a surprise. Nate had always been protective of their relationship. I just want you to know, he’d told her once, that what happens between us is between us. I’d never talk about it with anyone. By “anyone,” he’d meant Mel, his twin, and Joanna had liked that because it had made what they had special. It meant that there was a part of Nate that was hers and no one else’s. But she could see now that by not being truthful about the breakup, he’d caused Mel pain.
“I’m going to look around first, in case I see something I like more. I have a strict budget, so I need to make sure I spend it well.” Ashley glanced at her. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“You look a little freaked out. Are you stressing about someone seeing us and calling the press?”
“I’m not stressed.” She didn’t add that having sat on the deck in full view of the world for several hours, it was almost inevitable that someone would call the press. “Why don’t I buy these for you? My treat.”
“No, but thank you.” Ashley gave a determined smile. “You’re already giving me support and a place to stay. It’s enough.”
“Consider it a loan if that helps. When you’re back on your feet, you can pay me back.” She had no intention of asking for the money back, but if it made Ashley feel better, then it was worth saying.
“That’s kind, but I still want to make sure I’ve seen everything.” True to her word she proceeded to explore every store in town, lingering over sparkly earrings, trying on clothes, salivating over a pair of shoes.
Joanna hovered close by, looking out of the window and thinking about Nate.
She thought about the moment when she’d walked into the office and slammed straight into him.
The shock of that unexpected physical contact had almost had her running out of the door. Only the knowledge that Ashley needed her kept her from leaving.
She’d tried not to panic at the powerful response that engulfed her. She’d told herself it was shock, but she knew it wasn’t shock. She told herself that it was anxiety or lack of food—but she knew it was neither of those things, either.
Sexual attraction.
It had been so long since she’d felt it that she was surprised she even recognized it. But it turned out it was a sensation that you didn’t forget. Fortunately it was a sensation you could also hide and she was confident she’d made it through her first meeting with Nate without making a total fool of herself. It was normal that she’d think about the past, and what they’d once shared together. It meant nothing, and neither did the warmth of his smile.
Nate had always been an amiable, friendly guy. He smiled at everyone. Made everyone around him feel comfortable and important.
Yes, she’d felt something when she saw him again but she wouldn’t be doing anything to encourage those feelings. She wouldn’t be exploring where they might take her.
No matter how much Ashley tried to persuade her, she wouldn’t be dating. She wouldn’t be scanning photographs and bios on the internet, pondering over guys who claimed to like long walks in the country and movie nights. She wasn’t going to be dreaming of romance. She didn’t want romance. She’d be content with peace and quiet and a life that didn’t involve being followed around by people with cameras.
“There it is—” Ashley grabbed her arm and pointed to the boutique Mel mentioned. “Can we go there?”
“Of course.” Maybe Ashley’s enthusiasm would distract her. And inside a store it was less likely that anyone would spot them.
Joanna pushed open the door and Ashley gave a murmur of appreciation as she saw the neatly stacked shelves and racks of clothes.
“Welcome!” A woman appeared from the back of the store. She was the epitome of style. She wore high heels, a fitted dress in a flattering shade of blue and her hair fell past her shoulders in carefully curated waves. “If you need any help, or you can’t find something in your size, just let me know and I’ll—Joanna?” She moved closer, scanned Joanna’s face carefully and then smiled. “Joanna! It is you.”
Joanna froze. It was inevitable that someone would recognize her, but she’d hoped it would be later rather than sooner. “Rosa. How are you?”
“I’m good! I had no idea you were in town.”
“I haven’t publicized it.”
“Of course you haven’t. Why would you?” Rosa rolled her eyes in acknowledgment of the challenges. “Well, I for one am glad you’re home.”
Home? Did Silver Point feel like home?
“Thank you, Rosa.” Joanna remembered her manners. “This is Ashley. She’s staying with me.” She watched Rosa closely, waiting for her reaction, but Rosa’s face didn’t change.
“Good to meet you, Ashley. I hope you find something perfect. Are you looking for beachwear? Something more formal? I have some gorgeous pieces that came in just this morning. The fitting room is at the back if you’d like to try things.” She turned back to Joanna. “So are you back here permanently? What you’ve done to Otter’s Nest is astonishing. That living area with the glass—”
