Page 27 of Kissing the Beach Town Fire Chief
“So, Ami what brings you here? Do you need anything?” Aunt Maggie asks as she turns her attention toward me.
“Oh, yes. I was just here to inform you that I am finally starting to get the writer inside me to come alive. I started a new book last night and wrote a few chapters. I want you to give them a read from me.” I tell her and a big smile covers her mouth.
“Oh! That is fantastic! See? I told you that you can do it. I’m sure being here also helped you. Seabrook is a magical place I swear!” She exclaims and I agree with a smile.
“Ami, you're a writer? That is amazing!?” Hilda, who I had forgotten is still here, says and I look at her to see an excited expression on her face.
“Yes, I love to write or read” I respond, and she only gets more excited.
“Oh, that’s great, sweetie. I can’t imagine why you haven’t joined our local writer’s group,” she wonders aloud, sparking my interest. “A writer’s group?” I repeat, never having heard of it before.
“Yes! It has people from all over town who love to read and write. We get together once a week to sit with each other, sharing stories, inspiration, ideas, and motivation for fellow writers. It’s a wholesome group; you should definitely join us.” The more she talks the more interested I am. “That sounds perfect,” I tell her and she grins.
“Brilliant. We have a meeting today actually. Around 7? Why don’t you join us, and I’ll introduce you to people there?” she offers and I instantly nod.
“Sounds good to me. Where should I meet you?” I ask.
“Just two streets from here. I’ll wait for you by the bakery,” she suggests and I nod. “Great. We have a reading taking place today and I can’t wait for you to see it. I’ll see you at 7 then. Bye!” she says waving goodbye to me and Aunt.
Aunt Maggie who stayed silent the entire time turns to me now with a proud expression on her face. “What?” I ask, a little subconsciously about what she is smiling at.
“I am just thinking about how proud you make me, sweetheart. You're such a talented girl. I haven’t read what you’ve written yet, but I am already sure that whatever it is, it’s going to be wonderful and win hearts.” she says encouragingly.
This is the reason why I love my aunt so much. She is constantly there for me, rooting me on. “I really hope so,” I tell her softly, knowing that I want her to like this more thananything. I need her to see what I see and tell me that it’s the right vision. I stand there and talk with her for a few more minutes as she promises to read the draft today. I take my leave and head back home to prepare for the group meeting that Hilda invited me to.
Ever since I came back this summer my company has mostly been Ethan and my aunt. So, tonight is the perfect opportunity for me to meet new people.
But as I am to reach the house, I see Ethan running up to me. I pause, wondering what he is running about as he finally comes to a stop in front of me. “Ami, hi,” he says a little breathlessly. I ask if everything is okay, a bit concerned at the way he ran toward me.
“Oh, yes. Everything is fine, great actually. I was just waiting for you to come back so I could tell you that I’m finally launching the new campaign tomorrow.” His news brings me happiness on his behalf. “That’s great, Ethan,” I tell him with a smile. I am truly happy that he is doing this campaign, and trying to work toward what is right rather than what others want him to do.
“I know and since you helped me so much with the whole thing, I want to show it to you first before I actually make it public.” I wish I could go but it’s almost 6 and I need to get ready for the meeting. “Oh, Ethan I would love that, but I’m actually heading to a local writer’s group at 7 today. Is it okay if I stop by once I get free?” I offer.
“Oh, the local writer’s group? That’s actually a great group. I’ve often been invited for a reading there but never gotten the chance to attend.” he shares thoughtfully.
“I heard of it just now, and maybe you should visit one day too. So, after that, I’ll come over, okay?” I ask and he nods.
“See you later then.” I say before walking toward my house. I hurry to get ready, knowing that with the amount of time I’ve spent trying to choose an outfit will make me late. But still, Iwant to look good today and make good contacts and friends. I chose a baby blue top and paired it with white pants and some accessories. Dabbing on some makeup and fixing my hair I’m finally ready. I realize it’s 6:45 already and if I don’t hurry, I’ll end up making Hilda wait. So, with one final glance in the mirror, I rush out of the house.
Thankfully, I am only a few minutes late and Hilda arrives a few minutes after I do.
“Oh, Ami you look beautiful,” Hilda says sweetly. “Thank you,” I reply as we walk toward the meeting place. As we walk, Hilda fills me in on the details and history of the group and how girls at a young age created this group to discuss and fangirl about the books they read . And somehow it became this group.
The idea of it is appealing, and I can’t wait to get there. When we reach, the reading has already started, so Hilda and I quickly find a seat. We sit together, listening to the reading of a book that a woman about my age wrote. I can’t deny that it is incredible.
I get so lost in the book and the reading that I don’t even realize when Ethan slides into the chair next to me until he taps my shoulder.
“Ethan? What are you doing here?” I whisper, unable to hide my surprise.
“Well, like I said I have been invited to these readings for a while, and considering you helped me and supported me so much with something I was passionate about, I just wanted to be here to do the same for you.” I can’t help but feel my heart warming to his words and the touch of his hand as he takes mine.
It’s ironic how we went from rivals to this. It still makes me a little dizzy thinking about how things change and although this thing between me and Ethan is very new and we have no idea where it will go, at this moment I just want to enjoy it.
And that’s exactly what I do.
Chapter fourteen
Ethan
