Page 62 of Memories By the Shore
Loosening my tie to take a full breath, I feel relief to be alone.I grip the cold countertop in the restroom, trying to pull myself together. Public events like these are a part of the job, and I’ve reveled in them. Chatting with business leaders in the town is one of the best things I get to do, but tonight, my mind is on something else—someone else.
“I’m in the bathroom, Gail.” I swipe my forehead. “Can I not have five minutes alone?”
When I dropped Avery off at her rented beach house earlier this evening, so much was left unsaid. The moment we shared at my old beach house proved I’m not the only one still battling feelings.
I haven’t mentioned her tattoo, but I’m sure she’s seen that I still have mine too. I was surprised when she still had it, but then I realized it’s not like a name that would be hard to explain to people. It’s a simple symbol, meaningless to everyone but us. Knowing she’s kept it all these years lights me up. If she wanted to erase our past, that would be the logical first step.
It didn’t go unnoticed that she was also missing an engagement ring on her finger. The same place where mine used to be. She took it off on purpose.Did she not want me to know?
“You’ve been in there for almost an hour, Jasper,” she counters. “Time to socialize.”
I push myself off the counter, blow out a breath, and swing open the door. “I haven’t been hiding in there that long,” I snap. “And what if I did need privacy? You don’t know what I was doing.”
Gail leans against the door frame with her arms tightly folded at her chest. “You didn’t.”
“How do you know?”
“Because if you did, you wouldn’t have walked down to another part of the hotel when there are at least three restrooms closer to the conference room.”
I cock my head to the side. “Whatever you think.”
“I’m your assistant. This is what I do.” She smiles with satisfaction.
I slip past her. “Fine.”
“She’s suddenly come back, and it’s getting to you, isn’t it?” she asks, but it’s more of a statement of accusation.
I stop with my back still facing Gail. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Jasper,” she says with frustration. “You know exactly what I’m talking about.”
I squeeze my eyes shut. Of course, Avery being here is getting to me.How could it not?She was my first and only love. The day she left ripped my heart out. It’s been an open wound since.
My head falls back. I turn to face Gail. “Yes, it is.”
“Do you know what she’s here for?”
I painfully nod. “I do.”
I’m certainly not going to tell Gail why Avery is back in town. That brief mention of her beingMrs. Collinswhen she showed up at my office that day hasn’t been brought up again. I’m hoping Gail and the receptionist up front forgot about it entirely.
“What is it?” Her shoulders bounce with confusion.
“I don’t want to talk about it.” I clear my throat. “We have a lot of history. Let’s just leave it at that.”
She shakes her head, prepared to pepper me with more questions. “I have known you and your dad for years. I’m awareof your past with Avery, but I feel there’s something more you’re not telling me.”
“You said the new Chamber CEO, Chris, is waiting for me, right?” I dismiss her comment.
“You’re not going to tell me, are you?” she huffs.
I turn on my heels and walk back down the hall toward the conference room. “Nope.”
I hear a light sigh from her as the distance between us grows.This is my secret.
Pulling open the doors, I make a beeline for the bar in the back of the room.
“What can I get for you, Mayor Collins?” the bartender asks.
