Page 88 of Summer on Sunshine Bay

“I thought that was never going to end,” Lila said, lowering her camera. “Mom, what was up with you today?”

Eva shrugged. “It threw me off not having Ma with us, I guess.” It didn’t have anything to do with Carmen. Then again, maybe it did. They’d barely spoken since the day she’d found out her mother had accepted Bruno’s resignation. Eva was still furious with her, but she hated being on the outs with her mother. They always had fun together, but there was a distinct chill in the air in the restaurant’s kitchen these days.

Eva’s phone vibrated on the counter. She walked over and picked it up, smiling as soon as she saw James’s name.

“I know exactly what’s wrong with her. She’s missing your father. She’s been walking around like she’s lost her best friend,” Gia said.

Eva glanced at her daughter. Lila hadn’t said anything to her the day James had announced his attention to move to Sunshine Bay, but she had a feeling Lila had noticed Eva’s panicked reaction on the boat. Just as Eva had noticed her daughter’s. As much as Eva didn’t want to admit it, Lila knew her as well as she knew her father. She’d known all along that it would come to this. The hurt from Lila’s accusations the morning after the shower had lessened, but Eva needed to forgive her fully. Because she was right.

Lila gave her a sympathetic smile, no judgment in her eyes.

Eva returned her smile as she connected the call. “James,” she said on a sigh, sounding as if they hadn’t talked at least once a day since he’d been away.

“You have to make that dessert when I get back, just so I can hear you moan.” His deep voice made her shiver, and she walked out of the kitchen to the patio doors.

“You don’t need the dessert for me to do that—all you have to do is touch me,” she whispered, closing the patio doors behind her.

“Let me guess, our daughter is listening in.”

“She was, but I’m on the deck now. She wasn’t happy with my performance today.”

“She should be thrilled with your performance today. Yours and Gia’s. You rocked the song, the food looked fantastic, and better yet, you two looked like you were having fun.”

“How can you say that? I was talking about the wrong recipe, and I stood there eating the dessert I thought my sister made.”

He laughed. “I know. It was hilarious.”

She sighed. “James.”

“Eva.” He sighed her name like she’d just sighed his. “That video is going to keep me entertained the entire flight back to you. I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too.”

“Then you’ll be glad to know I’m not going away without you again.”

Her legs went weak, and she slowly lowered herself onto the lounge chair. Three days earlier, he’d sounded as if he was having second thoughts because of Faith and Sheena. Eva didn’t know what had changed his mind. She knew only that she’d been as devastated then as she was now.

“You’re moving here. To Sunshine Bay?” She forced herself to sound over the moon with joy. Part of her was, part of her wanted this with all her heart. But the other part, the older and wiser part, the Rosetti part of her, didn’t want this at all. She was terrified by what would come next. She knew what he’d want, what he’d expect from her, and she didn’t blame him.

“I am. It took some convincing to get Sheena on board, but in the end, she just wants me to be happy, and she knows you make me happy. You do, you know.”

“I know.” How had she let this happen? How could she have been so foolish? “You make me happy too.” It would be so much easier if it were a lie.

“I was hoping to spend tonight with you, but my flight’s been delayed. I thought we could have a picnic under the stars at Paradise Cove. It’ll have to wait until tomorrow, I guess.”

Her heart seized. He’d asked her to marry him under the olive tree in Tuscany on the Fourth of July. “That sounds lovely,” she said, past the ball of emotion stuck in her throat. “Gia’s waving at me. I have to go. I’ll see you soon, darling. Safe travels.” She disconnected before he could say, “I love you.”

She wiped her eyes and went inside, forcing a smile for her daughter and her sister. “We should go, G. I’m sure Ma could use our help.”

“Mom, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing, darling. Your father was just sharing his happy news. He’s moving to Sunshine Bayafter all.”

“That’s wonderful news,” her daughter said, but Eva knew Lila as well as she knew James. Her daughter was torn, happy that she’d have her father close by but afraid that Eva was going to break his heart.

She gave Lila a hug. “I’ll see you later.”

“You guys are coming tonight, right?” she called as Eva and her sister walked to the door.

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