“Yup. Every ferry that went over this week had extra supplies on it, just in case. I sent over two generators, fuel, board games, extra bedding. It’s all on the executive mansion.”
“That’s the Sarah I know,” Carlos said with a laugh. “Always prepared.”
The boat docked and the crew disembarked. Sarah staggered onto the beach, feeling off kilter for a moment.
“I need to help with the setup.”
Carlos didn’t stop her. He and Maria, head of catering, went off to their assigned area to set up the catering tent. DJ was there too and she helped situate him. The tents for camping and the set-up crew for those arrived afterwards. With Lizzie.
Sarah went into full GM mode because that was safe. That was something she knew how to do.
“Alright, where do you need me?” Lizzie came her way, looking at her with a cold expression. She deserved that, she knew it. Still, she knew what had to be done. Sarah cleared her throat.
“I need you to verify the tent placements. Make sure they match the diagram I sent you.”
Lizzie pulled out her phone without looking at Sarah. “Got it.”
Their eyes met for half a second. Sarah saw something flash across Lizzie’s face. Hurt. Anger. Then it was gone and Lizzie was walking away toward the tent area. Sarah watched her go. Last Sunday, she’d held that girl in her arms. Now they could barely have a conversation.
Still, she didn’t have time to think about the matter. There was too much to do, too many irons in the fire. She’d been overseeing the set up all week. The stage had already been prepared, a tent with spa equipment and massage chairs had been brought over and set up the day before. Everything major had been pre-arranged as it had been every year. Now, they just had to set up for the party. The DJ’s equipment had to be hooked up, the food brought out and stored in the executive mansion.Or what would have been the executive mansion if it had been finished.
The beauticians, Rita and Esty, had to stop the spa station with the supplies they’d just brought over. Everything was happening exactly as planned. Sarah moved through it all, checking details, answering questions, making sure nothing was forgotten. But her mind kept drifting.
To Lizzie laughing at something Rita, one of the beauticians, was saying.
To the way Lizzie’s hair caught the sunlight. To how Lizzie had looked in Sarah’s bed, sleepy and beautiful. Sarah hated herself for walking away from that. But she hated herself more for wanting to go back.
By five thirty, fifty spring breakers were streaming off the ferries. They scattered across the island like excited kids, running toward the beach, taking photos, and checking out their tents.
The barbecue started at six. The smell of grilled seafood and ribs filled the air. The DJ started playing as the sun dropped toward the horizon. Someone lit the tiki torches along the beach and suddenly the whole island looked magical.
Sarah stood by the catering tent, watching. She should have been checking on the guests, but she couldn’t move.
A group of spring breakers had gathered near the pavilion. The music was loud and upbeat. Lizzie was in the middle of them, moving to the rhythm, laughing at something one of the girls said. She looked so alive. So free.
So beautiful it made Sarah’s chest ache.
“You’re staring.” Sarah turned. Carlos had appeared next to her with two bottles of water.
“I’m observing. Making sure everyone’s having a good time.”
“Right. Observing.” He handed her one of the bottles. “You know what I think?”
“I’m sure you’re going to tell me.”
“I think you’re scared. I think Lizzie made you feel actual feelings and it terrified you. So you pushed her away before she could get too close.”
“That’s not—”
“But here’s the thing. She’s already close. And pushing her away didn’t make it hurt less. It just made you both miserable.”
Sarah opened the water bottle and took a long drink. Down on the beach, Lizzie was still dancing. A guy tried to join her and she laughed, spinning away from him toward Rita instead.
Sarah sat the bottle down. “I can’t do this. I can’t be what she needs.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’m a mess, Carlos. My whole life is a mess. I’m not even really....” She paused. “Nobody really knows me but you and Esme.”
