Dahlia was surprised by the celebration that followed at the Hive. Being the center of attention suited her, and she beamed as she mingled, chatted, and showed off her ring. Noah couldn’t help but want more of that for her. The crowd was intimate. His stepdad, Don, had flown in from Colorado and settled in at his uncle’s after they left. Bruce and Garrett brought him to the party, but Harry stayed home. There was Daisy, who’d arrived with Kara, Tony, and the boys. And there were Penny, Gretchen, and, of course, Gene. This day was turning out to be a plethora of surprises, including the offer Gene made on the first cedar shake house on the property, which was built in the late 1800s and faced the bay. It was the grandest and Dahlia’s favorite architecturally. With a cash offer, they were all but sure he’d get it. Little by little, their family was growing, and that tickled something inside him that no longer felt like a lost boy.
Later that evening, after the sun faded, they all walked to the bay for the small fireworks show, including Gene. For ninety. he was a rockstar and didn’t miss a beat. He even talked about setting up a garden at the new house on Meadow Lane. Dahlia begged him to tell everyone about his friendship with Sinatra that began the year after Lil left. He said he, too, felt adrift, and Frank took him under his wing. “The rest was showbiz history,” he said with a lighthearted chuckle. He seemed happy, and after all he had been through, it was a miracle.
There were lawn chairs set up on the beach, something Bruce, Garrett, and Don did on their way through. It was touching to see everyone come together for them in this way. They all oohed and ahhed over the display as light chatter ensued.
Just as it was ending, Noah felt his pocket vibrate. He stepped away behind the beach grass. With a quick glance, he saw it was from Baz. The words on the screen would ultimately decide what kind of life he, Dahlia, and the kids they may someday have would have. He blew out a breath in both anticipation and fear. And opened the text.
You got it, kid, your hometown wish. They said yes.
Noah wanted to scream; he was so overjoyed and relieved. He couldn’t help but go into a full karate chop as he came back into view.
“What’s going on over there, brother?” Gretchen asked from her comfortable spot next to Penny as Dahlia rushed to his side. No one but his now fiancée knew about the show.
“You’re not going to believe this, but I got my own renovation show. D knew, but I know this is a surprise to the rest of you.” He planted a kiss on her forehead as she squeezed harder around his waist.
There were offers of congratulations from everyone, and now he was the one at the center of attention, beaming with pride as Dahlia looked on with a knowing grin. It was one that said she couldn’t be happier for him. But there was also a sprinkle of confusion written on her face—one he needed to extinguish right away.
“But there’s something else. It’s going to be filmed here on the North Fork.”
Dahlia looked up with wide eyes. “Noah? But how?”
“I told Baz it was out here or nothing.”
“But why?” Her eyebrows furrowed in concern. “This is a dream job offer! I told you we would get through anything.”
“Because this is home.” He smiled at her with a certainty he could have never claimed last year at this time and tugged her tighter. His eyes wandered over the faces lit now by only the moon and a few beach lamps. Home. It was a simple word, yet it encompassed everything he loved. He wasn’t about to give that up for a TV show. Not now, not ever.
If there were a choice, he’d always choose his family.
