“Oh, lord.”
“What is it? She doesn’t want to do the long-distance thing?”
“I never even asked her. We’d had one date, Trev.”
Trevor scratches the back of his neck. “Wow, man. You fell this hard for someone you met and dated once? Sure it wasn’t the sex talking?”
“No. I didn’t sleep with her for that very reason. I was attracted to her back in high school. But that was a really shitty time in my life. I couldn’t get out of town fast enough. And except for my brother, mother, and this girl, I’m not interested in going back.”
“And you don’t think if you took it slow and dated awhile, she’d come around and move here?”
“I have no idea. But she takes care of her grandpa. He’s pretty sick. I know she’d never leave him. And I wouldn’t want her to. I mean, how many years could we live this way? Dating states apart?”
Trevor unscrews the cap on his vitamin water and takes a long pull. Without a word, he screws the top back on and stands from his seat.Wow. Some counselor. He’s already given up on me.He starts to walk away and stops before turning to look back at me. “As best I can tell. You aren’t really living.”
Chapter 30
Ellie
The big day is here. I’m so nervous I’m going to wear myself out before the festival can get underway. I take a deep breath and try to collect myself. I’ve planned for this for months and have everything I need.
You can do this, Ellie Albright. The Best on the Beach prize is already yours!
“I’m here reporting for duty,” Jo says.
I start to thank him when I notice Ms. Fletcher standing to his right.Just repaying a favor, my ass.I just bet something’s going on with these two. “Okay, so I’ve been cooking like a madwoman for the last forty-eight hours to prep for this. I’ve divided the trays of chicken and sides into batches. So if I start to run low, I may need you to hightail it back to Salty Jo’s to get more.”
“We’ve got you one better,” Jo says. “The Sugar Plum Inn has offered to store your food, and it’s right around the corner. So I’ll bring everything you have left at the station and deliver it there.”
“Oh, that’s fantastic.” I clap.
“Oh, you look adorable, Ellie,” Ms. Fletcher says.
I went all out for this. I pulled out a red and white gingham dress that falls mid-thigh and flares out from my hips. I used to wear it during the Christmas season when I wanted to feel a little more festive at work. I have on dangly candy cane earrings, and my long hair is tied in two braids that fall down my chest. IfRebecca of Sunnybrook Farmand Dorothy fromThe Wizard of Ozhad a baby, I’d be it. Hopefully, no one notices my shoes. While the shiny red numbers Dorothy wore would’ve been perfect, I have on white Converse sneakers because, hells bells, I’m going to be on my feet all day.
“Thank you. I just want everything to go well today.”
“It will, Ellie. You deserve this. Don’t you think otherwise,” Jo says.
I give him a grateful smile and set to work getting things in order for the day.
* * *
Other than the fact my help keeps disappearing, I couldn’t have asked for a better day.Okay, I still wish Matthew was here to help me. But I digress.My wandering assistants shouldn’t have come as a surprise. Jo and Ms. Fletcher are social butterflies who know everyone in this town, so there’s no keeping them still for long. And Charlene might as well have worn a Miss Christmas sash the way she’s pranced around greeting people all day. But customers have been kind, despite the wait.
The line has stayed long since eleven this morning. While some patrons come for the watermelon slices shaped like Christmas trees and the candy cane mint tea, most visit to sample the best chicken on the beach. I’ve noticed more than a few return customers today.
“We’re nearly out of your macaroni and cheese, Ellie,” Ms. Fletcher says.
“Last I looked, you may be down to chicken tenders soon too,” Jo adds.
“For real? That was a lot of food.” I’m shocked. I’d fully expected to stop by the park near the bridge, where many of the island’s homeless gather, to drop off the excess. Doesn’t sound like there will be anything to donate.
“Well, that was the plan, right? Make a lot, sell a lot?” Jo chuckles.
I beam at him. “You’re right. I’ve just been so busy I didn’t realize how well it was going.” Swiping my arm across my brow, I turn to greet the next customer and freeze.
While there’s still a long line of people waiting patiently in front of me, swaying arm in arm to corny Christmas classics piped through overhead speakers, a tall, dark-haired, tatted man standing at the end of the line has my complete attention. He’s wearing cargo shorts, a white polo, and holding a dozen roses. Once he realizes I’ve spotted him, a megawatt smile appears beneath his thick beard, causing my heart to skip.
