Chapter Twenty-Six
JULES
The early eveningsky above Memorial Park was alive in shades of gold and pink as I sat at the table next to Lacey, who looked radiant in her white lace wedding dress. Adorned with pearls and sequins, she sparkled like a diamond under the evening light. Even I had to admit my fitted navy dress made me feel uncharacteristically glamorous. The fabric hugged my body just right, or maybe her joy radiated so fiercely that I couldn’t help but catch some of the glow.
“Can you believe we’re actually here?” Lacey murmured to me before taking a healthy swig of champagne. The long table was covered in a white cloth, with floating candles inside clear vases placed strategically to illuminate the gardenias and pink roses surrounding them. Daniel sat on her other side, with Randy next to him. Randy wore an unmistakable expression of relief, having just given his speech. My time was coming up.
“Believe it,” I replied with a grin, nudging her playfully. “You’re officially off the market, Ashworth. Fully Lacey Greene now. We signed the marriage certificate and everything.”
She laughed, a sound so pure it made my heart swell.
“Guess it’s time. Wish me luck.” I stood and raised my glass, the weight of everyone’s gazes on me. “When Lacey and I first met, I never imagined I’d be standing here today, watching her marry the love of her life. Lacey, you’ve grown so much, becoming this incredible woman who’s ready to build a beautiful life with Daniel.”
The words felt empty in my mouth. I swallowed hard, pushing down the lump in my throat as I continued my rehearsed speech. Comforting and uplifting, it was the opposite of how I felt. Lifting my chin, I scanned the crowd with a warm smile.
“I remember when Lacey first told me about Daniel. She was so nervous, fumbling over her words like she’d just downed a triple shot of espresso. But then she said something that stuck with me: ‘I feel like I can finally breathe when I’m with him.’ That’s what love should be, right? That effortless and inevitable, like the tide rolling in.”
I glanced at Daniel, who was watching Lacey with sheer adoration. “Daniel, you’ve become more than just a husband to Lacey. You’ve become her partner in every sense of the word. You’ve seen her at her worst, like when she eats an entire pizza by herself and insists it’sjust a snack”—I paused to let the audience laugh—“and still you love her more for it.”
Lacey’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment and not a little delight. I continued, my voice softening. “Lacey, you’ve always been the sunshine in my life, the one who reminds me to laugh when I’m too busy being serious. You’ve taught me that love isn’t about perfection—it’s about navigating life’s messy moments together. And,Daniel, you’ve clearly mastered the art of putting up with Lacey’s…uniquebrand of chaos. Anyone who can handle a glitter explosion and a last-minute wedding venue change deserves a medal. But seriously, you two complement each other perfectly, and that’s what makes your love story so special.”
My lips curled into a wide smile, and I raised my glass higher, the champagne catching the light. “So here’s to Lacey and Daniel. May your love continue to be the kind that makes us all a little hopeful and a lot happy. Cheers to a lifetime of adventures, laughter, and maybe a few more pizzas.”
Still smiling as I watched them share a tender kiss, the weight of my own solitude pressed against my ribs. Eli and I had finally faced our inevitable crisis. But instead of facing it together, he’d run. He’d hidden behind his familiar brand of lying low to avoid the consequences. He wasn’t willing to fight for us, not really. And the realization stung.
Lacey was glowing, utterly enveloped in her newfound joy. A pang of longing shot through me. Would I ever find someone to look at me like that? Someone who could see past my meticulous nature and into the messier parts of my heart? It felt a million miles away, an impossible dream scattered along the sandy shores of Dove Key.
As I took my seat again and swigged a long drink of champagne, I studied the hazy horizon. Should I leave Sunset Siesta? I could forge a fresh start, somewhere Eli’s ghost wouldn’t haunt every corner. But the thought of abandoning the resort, my home for so long, filled me with bitter resentment. I was trapped, torn between my broken heart and the career I’d worked so hard to build.
Monday morning,the rain pelted against my office window as I stared at the spreadsheet before me. Numbers were my shield against emotional turmoil. I threw myself into the renovation budget with renewed vigor, determined to focus on the task at hand and the meeting I had with Harper shortly.
“Deficit… liability… projected income,” I muttered, the familiar financial jargon a soothing balm to my frayed nerves. And work became my refuge, allowing me to disappear into the figures, my ugly love life fading into the background.
A knock at the door jolted me from my concentration. I quickly smoothed my hair and straightened my blouse as I called out, “Come in.”
Harper entered, her usual bright energy tempered by something I couldn’t quite place. Concern, maybe?
“Good morning, Jules,” she said warmly, then caught herself. “Oh, I’m sorry. I mean, Julianne.”
A small smile raised my lips. “It’s okay, Harper. You can call me Jules if you’d rather. I think we’ve earned that level of familiarity by now, don’t you?”
An unexpected warmth bloomed in my chest when Harper’s smile reappeared as she settled into the chair across from me.
“I agree, and I’d like that.” Then her expression grew thoughtful. “How are you doing? Really?”
I hesitated, torn between my instinct to maintain professional distance and the genuine care I saw in Harper’s eyes. “I’m… managing. Focusing on work helps.”
“It always does. For me too.” She shifted, leaning forward slightly. “So what’s the financial situation looking like with regard to renovations?”
I exhaled slowly. “I wish I had better news, Harper. I’ve gone over everything with a fine-tooth comb, exploredevery possible cost-cutting measure—including potential staff reductions, which I hate to even consider. But the hard truth is, we need a loan, and it’s not going to be a small one.”
Harper’s shoulders sagged slightly, but she nodded, her expression resolute. “That’s nothing we weren’t expecting, huh? Thanks for running the figures anyway. What do you recommend as our next step?”
I turned the screen so Harper could see the spreadsheet, sending a small thank you to the universe that the thing didn’t short out and go dark. “Based on Chase’s assessment, our top priorities have to be the roofs and the HVAC system. They’re not sexy upgrades, they won’t directly boost bookings or guest satisfaction, but they’re absolutely critical for the resort’s long-term viability.”
As I spoke, I pictured the charming, slightly ramshackle buildings of Sunset Siesta. The place had wormed its way into my heart, becoming more than just a job. “I know it’s not ideal, but if we secure a loan for these essential repairs, we can at least ensure the resort stays operational while we work on more guest-facing improvements.”
Harper’s brow lowered. “I hear you. But balancing these immediate needs with our long-term goals isn’t an easy decision.”
