Page 116 of Summer Reading

I closed the door behind me with a soft click. Then I bolted for the exit before the tears filling my eyes cut loose. Ben was leaving. I’d probably never see him again. I told myself I didn’t care. If he left me this easily, he wasn’t the man I thought he was, and everything that had happened between us was exactly what I’d said it was from the beginning. Just a summer fling. No big deal. Right.

•••

A week passed and there was no word from Ben. Em had been appointed interim director in his absence and she was not happy. Her mother had come home from her trip and they’d had a terrible fight when Em said she was moving out. So now she was doing a job she wasn’t getting paid for, and her mother made her life a living hell with crying jags and guilt trips whenever she was home.

Over enormous margaritas, served to us by our friend Finn, we earnestly debated the pros and cons ofhopping on a plane to Australia and seeing if we actually could run away from our problems. Too bad we were both broke.

My last happy hour at the inn was a huge success. My family came to try out my latest creations, and Tyler and I wowed our parents with some of our slick dance moves.

At the end of the evening, my dad had the DJ play Keith Urban’s “Only You Can Love Me This Way,” and he led Stephanie out onto the dance floor just like he had on their wedding day. Tyler and I exchanged a glance, and he mouthed the wordsLook, no skinny jeans!I burst out laughing and we joined them on the floor.

I was just contemplating cleanup, when Stuart, the owner, arrived. He glanced around the packed terrace and said, “You have made thistheFriday happy hour spot on the island, Sam. Well done.”

“Thank you. It’s been fun,” I said.

“I’d like to hire you permanently as my events chef, Sam.”

“What?” I gaped.

“Happy hours, weddings, all of that, what do you say?” he asked.

“Meaning I’d live on the island permanently,” I said. This was a major life change for me.

“Here or I have another inn in Savannah, Georgia, if you’d prefer,” he said. “You’re too talented for me not to try and keep you.”

“Can I think about it?” I asked. “I’m still hoping to finish the cookbook I started.”

“Of course, and just to sweeten the pot, you can arrange your cooking schedule around working on the book,” he said. “I want to be clear that even if you say no, if you ever change your mind, you have a job with me.”

After all of the economic uncertainty I’d struggled with and the self-blame I’d endured for getting passed over, this was a balm to my soul. I wanted to cry I was so relieved. Instead, I smiled and said, “Thank you, Stuart. That means a lot.”

“You’re an incredibly talented chef, Samantha Gale,” he said. “Don’t let anyone tell you differently.”

“I won’t,” I said. I waited for the voice in my head to refute his words, but all I heard was blissful silence.

I realized that my critical inner voice had become quieter and quieter over the summer, and I realized why. Ben. He had helped me see myself through a different lens and the voice that usually chopped me down to size had been replaced by his voice in my head. His voice telling me that I was something special. In that moment, I missed him with an intensity that almost dropped me to my knees.

Stuart walked over to my father and Stephanie to say hello. The men had gotten reacquainted and Stephanie was determined to find a nice woman for Stuart to date. I wished her luck with that. I didn’tthink Stuart had left enough space in his heart for anyone besides his late wife, and I sure understood that, but Stephanie was nothing if not persistent.

•••

Two weeks later, Tyler’s robotics camp ended and there was still no word from Ben. The campers had presented their designs at a conference in Boston, and Tyler and his team had achieved their dream to be accepted into the elite STEM high school funded by Severin Robotics. Tyler was thrilled. I’m sure it helped that Sophie was going, too.

While waiting to hear from Ben, I had stalled on deciding my future as long as I could, but time was up. When Stuart asked me again if I’d made a decision about working for him, I said yes and I chose the Savannah job. I couldn’t imagine being on the Vineyard without Ben. We had scoured the island so thoroughly looking for any trace of his father that I couldn’t go anywhere on the island without missing him.

I packed my sad little bag, and my family took me to the ferry to head back to Woods Hole, where I’d catch a bus to Boston and stay with my mom for a week before I headed to Savannah. Em had put in for vacation and was planning to follow me in a few weeks. We were both looking forward to it.

I hugged Stephanie. She held on a little longer than usual and said, “Thank you for being here this summer. Is it too soon to ask you to come back next summer?”

“Nope,” I said. “I’ll be here at least for vacation. I have to check and see how Tyler’s driving progresses.”

My dad sighed. “I suppose that means I have to continue teaching him in your place.”

“Don’t worry, Dad,” I said. “I taught him everything I know.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of.” He opened his arms and I stepped into his hug. We stayed like that for a few seconds, committing the moment to memory. Dad kissed both of my cheeks. “I’m going to miss you, Sam.”

“Savannah’s not that far away,” I said. “I’ll be back to visit, definitely around the holidays.”

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