Page 19 of Memories By the Shore
Helen’s expression falls with empathy. If anyone knows how difficult that time was on me, it’s her. “I know it was.”
A vivid memory flashes across my mind like a streak of lightning. “And the other thing too.”
Her comforting hand finds the top of my knee. “Oh yes, honey.”
“Well, I’m here because the guy I’ve been dating for the last year proposed to me last weekend.”
She pops up. “Oh heavens! That’s wonderful. Congratulations!” But when I don’t mirror herexcitement, she chews on her lip and slowly sits back down.
“Jasper and I never got our marriage annulled or got divorced.”
The color drains from her face and her body stills. Her eyes dart around the room. “We might need something stronger than this, love.”
“Do you have any whiskey?”
Helen arches a brow. “Good call, I’ll grab the hard stuff.”
I thread a shaky hand through my hair as clinking glasses echo from the kitchen.
“Okay, so spill it.” She hands me a shot-sized amount of amber-colored liquid in a glass.
I breathe in the warm scent of the bourbon before I continue. “He was my everything, and I thought we would be together forever.”
Helen leans in, bringing her warm hand back to my knee. “I know.”
“Life has been complicated for me since then.” The heaviness in my heart intensifies when my words travel through the space between us.
“Why didn’t you tell me you two were still married?” She winces, swallowing down a sip. “Why hasn’t Jasper told me? I see him all the time. He’s the fucking mayor. You’d think it would have come out at some point.”
My heart stops.Wait. What?“Did you just say he’s themayor?”
“I guess we are a small town, so no one ever knew. And he’s dated—” Her face shows panic as she halts conversation with herself.
I’m not na?ve enough to think he has dated anyone in the last eight years—hell, he probably has a live-in girlfriend by now. Maybe even has a kid—orkids.Oh my god, I’m going to be sick.I force down the bile, inching up the back of my throat.
Refocusing my eyes on the soft pile rug at my feet. “It’s fine, Aunt Helen. I know he’s been with other people.” I straighten my posture. “I’m over him. I was over him a long time ago.”
She smiles sympathetically, but I know behind her kind gesture, she doesn’t believe me. “I know that break up was hard for you, especially after losing your parents just a few months earlier.”
“It’s fine now. I promise. It was a long time ago.” I roll my thumb over the divots on the glass. “But you said he’s the mayor now?”
“He is. It’s crazy to imagine, right? But he isn’t that troubled surfer kid he once was.” Her face brightens. “It’s only been a little over a year since he was elected, and he’s done incredible things for the businesses in the town.”
I’m shocked. That’s the last thing I expected him to be. I imagined I’d find him without a job, surfing all day and living in a little shore house. I’m surprised at the airy feeling in my chest at the thought.
“That’s, uh, great to hear,” I say, taking a slightly larger drink this time. “Ishemarried?”
“No, but that’s probably because you two still are.” She smirks, trying to lighten the mood.
“Oh yeah. Of course.” I run my tongue along my teeth, knowing that time is of the essence right now. “I have our divorce papers in my bag. I figured I should dothis in person.”
“I understand.” She crosses one leg over the other, more relaxed than she was when we first sat down. “Are you staying with someone close, or would you like to stay here?”
Of course, she’s worried about me. Not overly affectionate, but warm enough to make me feel safe and secure.
“I’m staying in a rental just down the beach.” I gesture behind me.
“Oh, you’re close?” Her eyes light up. “That’s the Hannah family’s house, I think.”
