“I suppose so.”

“However are you cheerful, Blake? Certainly your dad wished success for you as a result of he wished you to be glad. He had his faults, certain, however he wasn’t a merciless man. He beloved you guys.”

Am I glad? “I suppose I haven’t actually stopped to assume a lot about happiness. The final decade of my life has been all about attending to the following factor, you understand? Ending one diploma, then one other. Apprenticing at the very best restaurant I might. Changing into a supervisor so I might be taught the ins and outs of the enterprise. Placing collectively a marketing strategy so I can attain the final word pinnacle—making a profitable restaurant. Perhaps getting a cooking present. Dale stated he knew some individuals, thought that may very well be a risk.” I shut my eyes, all of the sudden drained on the considered all I’ve completed and all I nonetheless must do. “But it surely’ll all be value it after I get there. When the dream is lastly achieved.”

Gently taking my empty mug from me, Lucy leans ahead and units it together with hers on the bottom beside the swing. Then she turns to face me, one leg tucked below her, one dangling over the swing’s edge. The moon and stars are streaming gentle onto her golden hair, and her blue eyes are reflecting their shine. “And that may make you cheerful?”

“You make me glad.” That’s what I need to say to her. The thought surprises me. Does being right here with Lucy truly make me happier than the considered reaching the dream I’ve had for extra years than I can keep in mind?

What would occur if I ended striving? What if I simply…stayed right here in Hallmark Seashore? Pursued one thing with Lucy? Gave up that “dream” of my very own restaurant? Traded it in for one thing totally different?

Would I be glad then?

However Dad gave up his goals for “happiness” and warned me towards doing the identical. Does that imply I’d have the identical regrets?

My head begins to harm. I blink the ideas away. “Joyful sufficient, I suppose.” Then I tilt my head. “What about you? What makes you cheerful?”

She tilts her head, and her ponytail swings to the aspect. “I’m not such as you. I’ve by no means had some grand dream for my life. No steps to observe. I imply, I did intend to go to varsity, however then your mother and father died and…”

“You stayed for Mare.”

Lucy shrugs. “And for me. I’m unsure I used to be going for the fitting causes. I don’t even know what I’d have studied, you understand? It simply felt like I used to be caught, like I ought to go do one thing extra.” Her fingers choose at a free thread on the multi-patterned quilt. “Actually, I’ve felt like that once more currently. I imply, I’m doing my finest to maintain the restaurant going for Winona, however when she will get again, then what? I am going again to being a waitress? However perhaps that’s okay. I don’t know what else I’d do, anyway.” She breathes out a sigh. “Perhaps it’s sufficient to only stay my small-town life, love my individuals nicely, and benefit from the small quiet moments.”

“Small quiet moments, huh?” That really sounds good. And I can’t assist however add, “Moments like this?”

She smiles, one thing tender and wistful and heat in it. “Similar to this.”

And all of the sudden, I want that I used to be the sort of man who might take pleasure in this second right here together with her, with out worrying about what comes subsequent or what’s anticipated of me or what I’d be giving up. As a result of Lucy deserves a man like that—somebody who will keep within the second together with her, absorbing each little bit of sweetness and care she has to supply.

I need to be that man.

I simply don’t know the way.

twenty

LUCY

Ah. I undoubtedly made the fitting resolution in coming at this time.

Easing again into my lounge chair on the Seaside Spa’s leisure deck, I snuggle down into my white fluffy gown and sigh. “That is the life.”

“Proper?” April’s within the seat beside me. As we speak, on Kelsey and Elisse’s birthday, the sky’s painted a vibrant blue, not a cloud marring its pristine floor.

On the opposite aspect of me, a spectacular view of Morro Bay opens up, the glowing waters a deeper shade than the world above however nonetheless shimmering prefer it holds a thousand winking secrets and techniques beneath its depths. An enormous volcanic rock stands sentinel within the harbor, a guardian that makes this place each distinctive and delightful.

My cousin shakes out her purple hair and stretches her arms in a lazy means that jogs my memory of a cat. “That therapeutic massage was in all probability the most effective experiences of my life.”

“And also you guys had tiny ladies.” Throughout from us, Elisse cackles as she takes a sip of her champagne. “Think about how Mare and I felt with our very brawny male therapeutic massage therapists.” She nudges Marilee, whose cheeks redden as she pushes her glasses up on her nostril. “I’m going to have scrumptious bruises for daaaaays.”

“Ladies will be robust too.” Kelsey’s quiet voice pipes up, a uncommon contradiction to her sister’s extra boisterous methods. “My therapeutic massage therapist was small however mighty.” Wincing, she rubs her shoulder after which tugs at one of many curls resting there.

“To robust ladies.” Chloe raises a glass of her cucumber water. Of all of us, she seems probably the most at residence on this fancy place, positively regal in her white gown, her blonde, completely highlighted hair flowing round her like a crown. This little birthday gathering wouldn’t have been doable with out her—she rented out the entire place and paid for each cent, claiming amidst our protests that it was her present to us for being so sort when she first got here to city and wanted to throw a last-minute marriage ceremony for her brother.

I truthfully assume we made out like bandits within the discount.

And hey, any excuse to attempt to neglect my troubles for a day, proper? To neglect the strain of the half-finished marketing strategy ready on my pc.

To neglect the sweetness of that second with Blake on the swing three nights in the past. How I almost begged him to remain—not simply on the market on the porch with me, however in Hallmark Seashore.

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