Page 89 of The Oscar Escape
“What if I don’t? What if I forget about it?”
He could hear the squeak of his little boy voice through a sniffle.
She’d pressed her hand to his chest. “You won’t forget. Once something is a part of your heart, you’ll always have it with you.”
He pictured another heart. An orange heart he’d painted in art class shortly after his mother had passed, and he’d gone to live with his father and Charlotte—when she wasn’t his stepmother but his nanny.
He exhaled a heavy breath. Willing himself back from the past, he concentrated on Aria and couldn’t help himself from zeroing in on the ring glinting on her finger. As his vision grew glassy, he was sure he was on the brink of emotional overload, barreling toward—toward what? His true self? The man hidden beneath the layers? Could the man who couldn’t stay in one place finally have found peace? He cast the questions aside as Aria lowered her arms and bowed her head. Silence descended upon the space.
He watched her for another second before realizing she was waiting for him. He had a job to do.
He had to get the hell out of his head.
He stopped filming on his cell, then tapped the touch screen and ended the main recording. “Give me one second,” he said, grateful his voice didn’t crack. He eyed the screen and made sure the music synched to the video. He hit play. There it was. The PR video was complete. He surveyed the room. “We’ve got it, folks. That’s a wrap.”
Cheers echoed off the rafters.
He locked on to Aria’s gaze. He was caught between the past and the present. A peacefulness washed over him as he drank in his future.
“Are you going to let these people eat, Aria?” Del teased, his words sparking laughter as he theatrically checked his timepiece. “It’s nearly six o’clock. If you haven’t noticed, we’re no spring chickens around here. Dinner on Havenmatch Island usually falls somewhere around three thirty,” the man finished with a wry grin. He’d come out of his shell with the arrival of Clawdia Junior.
“Don’t you listen to him, Aria. Dinner on the island happens at three forty-five sharp,” Margo countered, drawing more laughter.
“All kidding aside,” Etta said, coming to her husband’s side. “A few of our resident chefs pulled together a celebration dinner. They’re finishing up. Everyone’s invited. Dinner is on Del and me at the inn.”
“A celebration dinner?” Oscar asked.
“Absolutely! We’re on the brink of greatness. Wouldn’t you agree?” Del remarked.
Oscar looked between the old lobsterman and Aria. Del’s enthusiasm was encouraging, and his belief in them was heartwarming, but it added a layer of pressure.
“Listen,” Aria began with a thread of hesitancy to her tone. “I believe in this island and want the festival to be a success with all my heart. But we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves.”
“The cotton candy lobster was a sign. We trust you and Oscar,” Del replied, doubling down on his conviction.
Oscar caught Aria’s eye and mouthed, “We’ve got this.”
Did they? He sure as hell hoped so.
She nodded to him, acknowledging his sentiments, then went into conductor mode. She bowed to the musicians. “Thank you.” She turned to the residents. “You’ve worked so hard. Oscar and I appreciate your support and trust. You have certainly earned your supper.”
“Aria’s right,” he added. “The island has truly come together. Why don’t you head over to the inn and give Aria and me a second. We’ll send the video to my friend at the news station and be with you shortly.”
“We’ll make sure to have the TV on in the dining area. But don’t take too long,” Etta said, and shared a curious look with Del.
Del winked at his wife.
With the old lobsterman’s cotton candy euphoria, there was no telling what was going on between the inn owners. But there wasn’t a second to grill them. The pair slipped out the door with Georgia and the judge, joining the residents exiting the schoolhouse.
It didn’t take long before silence swallowed the space.
And he had to send that file to Phil. He opened his email and entered the man’s email address. “Just a few clicks,” he murmured and attached the video.
Aria came to his side. “What does Del have up his sleeve?”
He glanced at her. “I don’t know. It’s Del. So, I’m guessing it’s lobster related.”
Aria chuckled. “As long as it’s not more lobster underwear talk, I’m for it.”
