Page 83 of Sunset Tides
Still, jumping in would feel less shocking than what she’d just done. Her body felt tingly, and her head was filled with air.
In an instant, Lucy was at her side. “Did you just do what I think you just did?”
She put her phone back into her pocket. “Yes.”
Her eyes bulged. “Are you okay?”
“I will be.” Lillian cautioned a smile. “Do you mind if I stay with you for a few months?”
“Mind?” Lucy jumped up and down, squealing. “That would be incredible!”
Rose came over, hands on her hips. “Am I being left out again? I’m going to have to move to this island soon.”
“I’ve got room for everybody,” Lucy said.
“Did I hear you’re all moving to Orcas?” Claire asked, dragging Becca behind her by the wrist. “I would love that.”
“I wish,” Rose said. “Maybe soon.”
Lillian bit her lip and smiled. “I’ll be here for a while.”
Claire clapped her hands together. “That’s wonderful news!”
“I can’t believe you did that,” Lucy said, shaking her head.
Lillian shifted. “Yeah, I kind of can’t believe I did either.”
“You just broke up with him. Just like that!”
“It’s about time,” Rose said, a smile on her lips.
Lillian let out a sigh. “I guess I’m feeling spontaneous. Lucy is rubbing off on me.”
They all laughed.
“Hey,” Lucy protested, “that’s not fair. You can’t blame this on me. Don’t act like this has nothing to do with Dustin.”
“Dustin?” Lillian frowned.
“Who’s Dustin?” asked Aunt Becca.
Before Lillian could answer, Rose cut in. “He was Lil’s high school sweetheart.”
“Headoredher,” Lucy added.
Claire nodded, shooting a sympathetic look at Lillian. “He really did. He proposed to her when they graduated, it was adorable.”
“That’s so sweet,” Becca said, throwing a hand to her chest.
Lillian didn’t blush easily, but she was starting to feel a heat rising in her cheeks. “Why would it have anything to do with Dustin?”
Lucy’s face fell. “You didn’t hear? Never mind.”
Lillian would never admit it, but of course she had a vague idea of what Dustin had been up to. After she turned down his proposal all those years ago, he went on to live his dreamsand became a veterinarian. Sometimes Lillian watched the educational videos he posted online – things like how to trim a dog’s nails or how to get a cat in a carrier – even though she didn’t have a pet. Mason was allergic to everything.
“We don’t talk anymore,” she said simply.
“Oh. Well, he was offered to host a TV show and is coming to the islands for it,” Lucy said, looking around the group. “I thought everyone knew. It was on the news.”
