Page 101 of As a Last Resort
“Are you going to hang around until she gets back?”
“That could be over a month away.I’m not sure that’s in the cardsfor me.”The sun was just about to set over the horizon.“You guys really do have the best view of the entire island.”
“They don’t have this in the city, huh?”he asked.
“Not like this, they don’t.”
“Are you going to miss it here?”he asked.There was an edge in his voice and he hadn’t looked me in the eyes since we sat down.
“I’m not leaving yet.”
“You’re not here for that much longer.”There was a sharpness to his words.Could he still be mad at me pressing about the fishing charter stuff?Maybe that was still bothering him.
“Listen, I’m sorry I pushed so hard yesterday on the boat, about the whole job thing.It’s really none of my business.”
“It’s no big deal.”
“No, it is.I shouldn’t have been so pushy.It’s your business.Obviously, you know what’s best, not some random person barging in with yet another opinion on how to run your life.”
“You don’t owe me anything, we were just making conversation.”His words felt cold.He stood abruptly.“I’m going to grab some water, you want anything?”
“Lexi said she was bringing some out.”
“Okay.”He stayed standing, gazing out over the water like he was waiting on some long-lost boat to peek over the horizon.
“What’s going on with you?”I asked.“Did I do something to upset you?”
“No, nothing.Just trying to enjoy the slow pace of life down here.”He finally looked at me, and quickly walked by my chair back to the house just as Lexi came out.He didn’t even look at her as he stomped by.
“Do I want to know what just happened?”she asked as she walked up.
“I have no idea, don’t ask me.How’s Rex?”
“Kicking himself.He’ll probably still show up at your place tomorrow with flowers even though I told him it wasn’t necessary.”
“He seems like a good guy.”
“He is.”She plopped down into the chair next to me.She had the puppy-dog-in-love look glazed across her face.
I squeezed her hand.“I’m really glad you found him.You always did look good in love.”
“I got lucky.”
“I keep having to remind any cute guy I meet in the city that posting on your Instagram in hopes of becoming an influencer is not actually a job.”She eyed me.“It’s a story.”
“It always is.”
I loved the familiar lull.Being back here with her family, I was afraid I’d no longer fit in.Like this new person wouldn’t have anything in common with me, and there’d be too many awkward pauses and weird looks.But I slid back in, just like I used to.And that scared me too.
There was something beautiful about being known.
“Speaking of cute guys, any chance I can ask you something without you completely freaking out on me?”
“Ah, I’ve been wondering when this would come up.”She looked at me and gave me that kind smile she saved fortalks.
“I’m just curious what’s gotten him all hot and bothered tonight.”
“You really don’t know?”
