Page 42 of Nights at Seaside
“Do I sound happy?” she asked.
“You always sound happy, but are you happy inside? I’m too far away to know.”
“Yes, Matty. Very happy. If you’d move back here you’d see just how happy.” Matt was a professor at Princeton, and most summers he took on summer courses, leaving him little time to visit or take vacations.
He was silent for a beat, and Sky wondered if she’d annoyed him. She asked him to move back practically every time they spoke.
“Maybe I’ll consider that,” he finally said. “Hold on. Someone’s here.” She heard him open a door, and a female voice rang out. There was a heated exchange, and Matt got back on the phone and said, “Sis, I’ve got to run. I love you. Call me if you need anything or want to talk.”
“Love you too, Matty.” She hung up the phone, wondering what that was all about, but as she glanced down the street at all the people and the town she loved, she let that worry fall away.
She watched a mother carry a young boy into Puzzle Me This, and just beyond, a couple was kissing in front of Shop Therapy. She loved the graffiti-style paintings that ran from the roof to the sidewalk and brought Shop Therapy to life. She turned and looked over her shoulder at the Little Shop, a small cottage-style shop painted bright red, and her eyes were drawn to the bright yellow café, Blondies & Burgers, beside it. Commercial Street was so vibrant and alive. A gentle breeze carried the paint fumes away, and every so often the scents of baked goods wafted up from the Portuguese bakery.
Thiswas where she belonged. She hadn’t realized how much she’d wanted—needed—to put down roots after she’d lost her mother, but she already felt more grounded than she had in years. And as laughter and commotion filled the air from passersby, she grew even more excited about her impending grand opening. She imagined Sawyer sitting on the stoop by the front door playing his guitar, and her smile faltered a little. Why couldn’t coming to grips with his fighting be as easy as knowing she’d put up her shop in the right place?
“Hi, sweetie!” Lizzie shaded her eyes from the sun and smiled up at Sky. “I just got these in and wanted to bring you some.” She held up a vase full of colorful flowers.
“Thanks, Lizzie. Those are beautiful.” Sky climbed down the ladder and followed Lizzie inside to set the flowers on the coffee table.
“We’ve got spray roses, daisies, button spray chrysanthemums, Monte Cassino asters, and of course, Limonium. Always Limonium.” Lizzie sighed as she glanced around the shop and set her hands on her hips. Limonium was used in many bouquets, and Lizzie always said if there was ever a flower she could tire of, it was that one. Sky thought it was pretty. “Look at this place. It’s really coming along.”
“I know. I’m so excited. I’m hoping to do some shopping later and pick up a few more chimes and maybe a chair. Want a soda from the back?”
“No, thanks. I can’t stay. The store has been crazy busy, but I wanted to drop those off to brighten your day—and see how things with Sawyer are going, of course.” Her eyes widened with curiosity.
“He’s amazing,” Sky said as they walked back out front. “He’s coming to the grand opening and he agreed to play his guitar. I really like him, Lizzie.”
“That’s awesome. I Googled him. Sky, he’s totally hot.” Lizzie peeked into her store.
“Do you need to go?” Sky picked up the paintbrush again.
“In a sec. There aren’t any customers. Everyone seems to like Sawyer.”
Sky climbed the ladder and began painting again. “Everyone?”
“I saw Blue when he was working on your shop earlier and he said your brothers met him and that everyone thought he was a good guy—and crazy about you!”
“What else did he say? Did he tell you he had him checked out?”
Lizzie laughed. “No, but it doesn’t surprise me, the way he hovers around you.”
Sky rolled her eyes.
“Sorry, but he does. Anyway, he said Sawyer didn’t shy away from their inquisition, which I wouldn’t imagine was awholelot of fun for him.”
“Inquisition? Sawyer never said anything to me about them questioning him.”
“They’re just watching out for you.” Lizzie gazed with interest at a group of hot guys walking by.
“I can take care of myself,” Sky said with frustration. “I’ve always paid my own way and I make my own living. I don’t need to betaken careof.”
“Oh, Sky. Everyone needs taking care of.”
Why was it that when Lizzie said something like that it felt real and important? And, she realized, for all her fighting about her brothers being overprotective, it validated what she felt when she was with Sawyer.
“Most important,” Lizzie said. “What do you really think of him? Beyond the surface stuff.”
“I like him a lot. He’s smart and kind, and he’s so good to me. He seems to really love his family, and you know that’s important to me.”
