Page 23 of A New Chapter in Rosewood Beach

“We really should discuss what happened the other day,” he said softly, his voice low because his words were for her ears alone.

Vivian nodded, her eyes wider. She paused for a moment, and he saw her inhale and then exhale before speaking. “I do think that’s a good idea. And we will talk about it. But right now, I—I should get back to Hazel.”

“Of course.” He smiled, feeling both relieved and disappointed that they weren’t about to have that high-stakes conversation after all.

Did she want to wait because she didn’t know what to tell him? Or did she want to wait to talk about it because she was worried he didn’t feel romantically toward her, but she did feel that way toward him? Or did she want to wait because she didn’t feel that way, and she was worried about hurting his feelings?

“I’ll see you soon, Vivian. Have fun playing tennis.”

“Thank you, Terrence. See you later.” She smiled at him again, almost shyly, before turning around and starting back toward the tennis court.

He watched her go, standing next to his car until she’d disappeared back onto the tennis court. When she’d been out of sight for several heartbeats, he let out a long, luxurious sigh and got into his car.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Faith checked on the alfredo lasagna that she had baking in the oven and pressed her lips together in satisfaction when she saw that it was nearly done. It was letting off a heavenly aroma, and she took a deep breath to enjoy the smell. The scent of garlic and cream and basil filled her nostrils, and as she shut the oven door again her stomach growled in anticipation.

She glanced at the clock and saw that it was almost time for her guests to arrive. She’d invited all of the Owens women over for dinner that night, feeling that in the midst of her worries about Ryan, she needed a good girls’ night.

She’d told herself that she was doing a great job of keeping it together about her worries, but the truth was that she’d been spiraling that day more than ever. She’d been practicing what she wanted to say to Ryan, and that had forced her to imagine what he might say in response. She’d tried to imagine him telling her that he would reconsider his views on marriage for her sake, but that just made her feel as though she was being naive and she was setting herself up to get more hurt later.

The more she’d gone over what to say to him, the more she’d thought about how much she wanted to be married and raise a family with someone. Those thoughts had made her more surethan ever that she wanted those things with Ryan—or at least, she wanted a chance at having those things with Ryan. She didn’t want to have to stop dating him because he didn’t share her goals for a long-term relationship.

She bit her lip as her anxiety and sadness surged again. Tears began to spill out of her eyes, and she wiped them away with the sleeve of her cotton summer jacket. She went into her small dining room to look over the table she’d set. She’d used green glass dishes that she’d gotten at an antique store in town, and with her yellow napkins and blue serving dishes, the effect was exceedingly charming.

Faith felt proud of the home she’d made for herself. She loved to decorate and keep things tidy and well-organized. It made her long for a home with children and a husband in it someday. She loved living alone in many ways, but she felt a strong desire to care for more people than herself.

At least I have tonight,she thought, furiously wiping away another renegade tear.I get to host this small party and share my home with people I love. Even if it’s only for one evening.

The tears threatened to spill out of her more than ever more. If things didn’t work out with Ryan, she didn’t know that she was ever going to find anyone else. Besides, she was at the point where she didn’t want to ever find anyone else. He was the man she wanted, and she wanted to be able to have a future with him.

At that moment, her front doorbell rang, and she turned around, startled. She realized that it was six o’clock already, and her family members were arriving right on time. She hurriedly checked her reflection in one of her mirrors to make sure it wasn’t obvious that she’d been crying and then went to answer the front door.

“Hi!” Hazel sang out as soon as the door was opened. She and Vivian were standing on the front porch, both beaming from ear to ear. “We brought a lemon meringue pie.”

“We made it together,” Vivian added proudly. “It’s one of the secret Owens family recipes.”

“Aww, you’re angels,” Faith said, eyeing the colorful tote bag that Hazel was carrying eagerly. “When you said you were going to bring a dessert, I expected maybe ice cream or something simple.”

Vivian shook her head and she and Hazel stepped inside. “Soon you’ll learn how much Hazel loves to bake. She’s like the baking queen in our family. And Samantha is following right along in her footsteps.”

“I can believe it, those brownies she made were out of this world,” Faith said with a smile. “I wish she could have come along tonight, but I wouldn’t have wanted her to miss her sleepover.”

“She says she’s sorry to miss it, but there will be a next time,” Hazel said, chuckling as she imitated her daughter’s cheerful and slightly overdramatic tone of voice.

“It smells incredible in here,” Vivian said, looking around admiringly even though she’d already been to Faith’s place a few times.

“Oh, thanks. That’ll be the lasagna.” Faith smiled.

“Mm, it’s that, but it’s also this room. Ah, I see it. Those lavender sage candles! I have some of those. They’re fantastic.”

For a while, the three women chatted about their favorite candles, made by a local woman who used essential oils and organic soy wax. Faith tried to simply enjoy the company of two of her favorite people, but her anxiety over Ryan was still hanging over her. She wanted to go into another room and have a good long cry, but there was simply no time for it now. In another few minutes, there was another knock on the front door.

This time it was Alexis and Julia, who had brought a bottle of Chardonnay. Talking and laughing, the women went into thedining room together, and then Faith slipped out to check on the lasagna.

She felt the tears rush back into her eyes as soon as she was out of the room. Maybe hosting a girls’ night when she was feeling so down hadn’t been a good idea after all.

Come on, Faith, she told herself, wiping her eyes carefully before opening the oven.Just push it out of your mind. You’re hosting. You need to stay cheerful for your guests.

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