Page 58 of When We Are Complete

A twinge of unease winds its way through me. I can rationalize everything for myself, but for a young girl like Adele? I can’t ignore that. I can’t pretend it’s nothing. She doesn’t have the coping skills I do.

I bite my lip, hoping Jake spoke to his daughter and Jenny after I mentioned it. Hoping they’ll be vigilant and watch for any signs of trouble. The last thing I want is for a kid to suffer.

The memories creep up—those long years after Jake and I broke up, years of increased restriction until I’d lost so much weight my parents insisted on getting me help.

That day comes back to me so clearly. I sat on the exam table, my legs dangling over the edge, my fingers picking at the hem of my sweater. The doctor’s voice droned on in the background,inpatientandtreatment options, but the words felt distant.

Mom sat across the room, her arms folded over her chest, her lips pressed into a thin line. I stole a glance at her, hoping for some sign that she understood, that she was with me on this. But instead, her gaze was fixed on the doctor, her jaw tense, eyes dark with disappointment.

When the doctor finally paused, she turned to me, her voice careful, measured. “Kelly,” she said, in that tone that was always so calm, too calm, as if I’d somehow done something wrong again. “How did we get here?”

I felt my stomach drop, the shame curling around my ribs.How did we get here?As if this was all my fault, as if I’d just failed atbeing me. I looked away, biting down on the inside of my cheek, fighting the tears prickling at the corners of my eyes. I couldn’t let her see me fall apart—not then, not ever.

“I don’t know,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. But what I really wanted to say was that I was sorry, that I didn’t mean to be a disappointment, that I wanted to be better, to be enough.

I shake my head, not wanting to remember the disappointed look on mom’s face, the shame that spiraled through me. Not now. Not when things are going so well.

Ugh. Why am I thinking about all this shit? Thank God no one in Harbor’s Edge knows about any of it, and no one in myfamily ever brings it up, keeping it firmly in the past where it belongs.

And this isn’t about me, it’s about Adele.I’mfine. She’s the one I’m worried about. I make a mental note to ask Jake about it tomorrow, after the lunch we have planned with Adele. Maybe I can watch her during the meal, get a better read on what’s going on. Maybe she’s fine, and I’m just worrying for no reason.

I put it all out of my mind and work solidly for a few hours, meeting with the festival committee and the town’s social media manager, before I take a break for lunch. It’s freezing today, and I tug on gloves and a hat before walking to Main Street to meet Nora for lunch. There are still small patches of snow and ice on people’s lawns, and the wind off the ocean is frigid.

The bell over May’s bookshop door tinkles—a sweet sound, a throwback to simpler times. I push inside, the scent of old books and fresh coffee hitting me. I spot Nora immediately, her presence a sunbeam slicing through the shadows.

“Kelly!” Nora’s voice is full of energy, her usual exuberance lighting up the room as she waves me over. I’m relieved to see her. I got in late last night, and between rushing out the door this morning and getting to work, we haven’t had a proper chance to catch up.

“Hey,” I say, sliding into the seat opposite her. We place our orders with May, a transplant to Harbor’s Edge who used to be an English professor but now owns the bookstore—coffee, strong and black for me, and a frothy latte for Nora—then settle into mismatched chairs by a cozy corner of the café. It doesn’t take long for the subject of Jake to come up.

“Spill it,” Nora says, leaning forward with her latte in hand. Her eyes are sharp, but there’s warmth behind them. “Your brain’s doing that thing again—where it’s somewhere else. You’ve got a smile on your face and it’s got nothing to do with the coffee. No offense to May.”

My smile widens. “It’s Jake.”

Nora quirks an eyebrow. “So you’re telling me you’re deeply, passionately in love? Jake Tanner’s swept you off your feet?”

She’s hit the nail squarely on the head, but I school my expression. “I’m just surprised by how good everything is. I don’t know how to explain it.”

Nora takes a slow sip of her latte, her gaze never leaving mine. “Jake’s a stand-up guy. I think you two are perfect for each other. And you deserve this, you do.”

I lean back, letting her words sink in, drumming my fingers on the wooden table, a staccato rhythm mirroring the racing thoughts in my head. “He invited me to have lunch tomorrow with Adele,” I say, my voice dropping a notch. “As his girlfriend. To be honest, I’m a little nervous. Jake thinks it will be fine. But what if it’s not? What if Adele doesn’t like me? What if this whole thing gets too complicated?”

Nora leans in, her blue eyes catching the light through the window. “Adele’s a great kid. And you got on well at the party, didn’t you? Just take it one step at a time. Don’t overthink it.”

I let out a small, self-deprecating laugh. “Overthinking is my middle name.”

“KellyOverthinkingCharleston,” Nora teases. “Seriously, though, you’ve got this. She’s Jake’s daughter, not a mythical creature with horns and sharp teeth.”

I laugh again, Nora’s words soothing some of the nerves I’ve been battling since Jake invited me to lunch. “Thanks. I’ll try not to imagine her sprouting tentacles at the table.”

“Just be yourself. Adele’s going to see what we all see—a smart, strong, kick ass woman. And if she’s anything like her dad, she’ll appreciate that.”

“Thanks, Nora.”

Maybe this isn’t a disaster waiting to happen. Maybe it’s just lunch. Plain and simple. Maybe things are finally moving in the right direction.

Harbor’s Edge might be big enough for second chances after all.

Chapter 33

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