Page 14 of Kissing the Beach Town Fire Chief
"I hope so," I say, glancing around at the crowd. "I just... I don’t want to let you down."
"You could never let me down," Aunt Maggie says firmly. "Just be yourself. That’s more than enough."
Before I can respond, a group of people approaches, and Aunt Maggie is pulled back into the fray. I take a deep breath anddecide to give the mingling another shot. Maybe if I keep trying, I’ll eventually find my place. I make my way to the refreshment table, grabbing a cup of punch. As I sip it, a woman in her early fifties strikes up a conversation with me.
"Hi there, I’m Carol," she says, offering her hand. "I don’t think we’ve met."
"Ami," I reply, shaking her hand. "I am Maggie’s niece."
"Oh yes, Maggie’s told us so much about you," Carol says warmly. "How are you finding Seabrook?"
"It’s... different," I admit. "I’ve been living in the city and haven’t visited for a while, so it’s a bit of an adjustment."
"I can imagine," Carol says with a sympathetic smile. "But there’s a lot to love about this place. The sense of community, the slower pace... it grows on you."
"I’m starting to see that," I say, glancing around at the lively party. "Everyone seems really close."
Carol nods. "We are. And we’re always happy to welcome new people. Just give it some time."
"Thanks, I appreciate that." I’m feeling a bit more hopeful I can fit in.
But once again, the conversation shifts to something I have no say in, so I excuse myself. It's like I am stuck in a rerun of the same old conversation, with me as the silent extra. Seriously, can I get a script change or something? I find another quiet corner and take a deep breath. It's like every time I start to feel comfortable, I’m reminded of just how much I don't belong here.
Needing some space, I decide to take a walk in the backyard. The cool evening air helps clear my mind, and I wander past the twinkling lights and into the more secluded areas. I follow a path lined with overgrown bushes and blooming flowers until I reach a quiet spot near the old oak tree at the edge of the property.
As I stand there, breathing in the scent of fresh earth and flowers, I hear voices nearby. Curious, I move closer and realizeone of the voices belongs to Ethan. I duck behind a large hydrangea bush and listen in, feeling a bit guilty but unable to stop myself.
"Look, Todd," Ethan says, his tone earnest. "I know Maggie's done a lot for this town, and I respect her. But Seabrook is changing, and we need to adapt. I want to modernize things while still preserving the charm that makes this place special." Todd's voice, steady and encouraging, responds, "You've got the right ideas, Ethan. People are just scared of change. But if you can show them that it's possible to have both—progress and tradition—they'll come around."
Well, well, well, Mr. Campbell, color me intrigued.Ethan's got this fire in his belly, this unwavering belief in his mission. It's a side of him I haven't seen before, and I am low-key hooked. I hover behind the bush, soaking in every word like a fly on the wall. This could be a game-changer for Seabrook. Ethan's got big ideas, and if anyone can pull ‘em off, it's him.
Ethan sighs, and I can almost see him running a hand through his hair in that frustrated way he has. "It’s just... it’s complicated. Maggie’s been like family to me. I don’t want to hurt her, but I believe in what I am proposing. The town needs new energy, new direction."
I can't help but feel a twinge of empathy for Ethan. Who knew the guy had such a soft side? Despite our clashes, it's obvious he's wrestling with his choices. I’ve got to hand it to him, though; he's sticking to his guns, even if it means butting heads with Aunt Maggie. Talk about commitment.
"Listen," Todd says, his tone softer now. "Whatever you decide, you've got my support and I’m sure that of all the rest of the fire crew. But you need to be sure, Ethan. People are counting on you." "I know," Ethan replies, sounding resigned. "I just need to figure out how to do this without alienating everyone I care about."
I step back, not wanting to overhear more than I should. As I turn to leave, I accidentally snap a twig underfoot. The sound echoes loudly in the quiet night, and I freeze, hoping they didn’t hear it. "Ami?" Ethan’s voice calls out, and I wince so much for stealth. I don’t know how he figured it was me, but maybe it’s a sixth sense.
Slowly, I step out from behind the bush, trying to look nonchalant. "Hey, Ethan." He looks surprised to see me, but hey, at least he's not shooting daggers, which is a win in my book. "Were you... listening?"Smooth, Ami. Real smooth."Not exactly on purpose," I reply with a shrug. "Just taking a stroll, you know? Happened to overhear your pow-wow." Todd gives me this nod like, 'I see you, girl,' before dipping out, leaving me alone with Ethan.
"So," Ethan starts, crossing his arms and giving me this curious look. "What did you hear?"Oh, just your existential crisis. It's no big deal."Enough to know you’re in a bind," I say, feeling the awkwardness creeping in. "But hey, I get it. You’re trying to do the whole 'save the town' thing, just like Aunt Maggie."
He lets out this heavy sigh, rubbing the back of his neck like he's working out a kink.
"Yeah, it’s a pickle. I respect Aunt Maggie, but I've got my own vision for Seabrook.
" I nod, totally getting his struggle. "Juggling beliefs and relationships is no cakewalk. But I think people will see you're the real deal, even if they're not sold on your plan."
"Thanks, Ami," he says, his face softening a bit. "Means a lot, coming from you."
Cue the mutual respect moment.
We stand there for a beat, the tension dialing down a notch. Despite our history and our current political beef, there's thisunspoken understanding between us. "You know," I pipe up, breaking the silence, "maybe we should chat about this some more. Somewhere less... party-ish."
Ethan raises an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "Ami Brooks, making moves? I’m flattered."
I roll my eyes because … seriously? "In your dreams, Campbell. I meant we could meet up at Aunt Maggie's bookstore. We can brainstorm without all this background noise, and maybe find some helpful information about the town in the stacks."
