Page 35 of Serenity at Seagrove
"You're a bit quieter than usual," Janine said. "Still thinking about that romantic beach picnic with Archer?"
Luna looked up quickly. "Wait, how did you?—"
"Small town, remember? Besides, I saw you two out there," she said, smiling. "You looked very comfortable together."
"Yeah, too comfortable, maybe." Luna traced the rim of her cup with her index finger. "Janine, I can't afford to blur those lines. He's still technically my client. What if I get a reputation for getting romantically involved with clients? That's terrible."
"Is he your client, though? I mean, when was the last time he came to an actual, formal session?"
Luna thought about it. The movement classes had evolved into something less structured. Their conversations had shifted from therapeutic to something else entirely.
"It's too complicated," Luna said.
"Yeah, well, life usually is." Janine shifted and faced Luna. "Can I be honest with you?"
"Of course."
"I see the way you two look at each other. Like, both of you are afraid to take that first step and terrified of what happens if you don't."
"I came here to build something, Janine, to create a place of healing. I can't risk that for—for what? Love?"
The word hung between them like a weighted blanket.
"The last time I risked everything for love," Luna said quietly, "I ended up having to start over completely."
"Yeah, and look what happened when you started over. You found Seagrove. You found yourself. So maybe sometimes starting over isn't an ending. It's an opening."
Luna watched a pair of seagulls chasing each other across the morning sky. "I'm scared, Janine, not just of getting hurt, but of hurting him. He's been through so much already."
"You know what I think?" Janine said, leaning back. "I think you're both so used to taking care of everybody else that you've forgotten how to let someone take care of you."
She wasn't wrong. Luna thought about all her years of counseling and how the whole time she kept her own heart carefully guarded and didn't really let anyone in. And then Archer, who had pushed through the pain to maintain his image—neither one of them was very good at letting others in.
"But what if it doesn't work?" Luna asked. "What if we ruin everything? This friendship, this progress he's made, my place, and my name in Seagrove."
"And what if it does work?" Janine said. "What if it's exactly why you both ended up here? Sometimes the universe has a funny way of bringing people together at exactly the right moment. What if you waste that opportunity?"
Luna smiled. "Now you sound like Dixie."
"Worse people to sound like," Janine said, standing and gathering her yoga mat. "Look, just don't let fear make your decisions for you, Luna. You've spent your whole life teaching others to be brave. Maybe it's time to take some of your own advice."
* * *
Archer stared at the email on his phone, reading it for the third time. He couldn't believe it. The prestigious Oakland Hills Golf Academy in California wanted him as their head junior coach. He would have full benefits, a huge salary, and the chance to work with some of the country's most promising young golfers. A month ago, he wouldn't have even considered something like this. He had only wanted to go back to professional golfing or sit around and sulk for the rest of his life, but working with the kids in Seagrove had made him open to the possibility. And now he thought of it as a way to stay connected to the game he loved without the pressure of competition.
But now, as he looked out the window of his room at the inn, he could see Serenity. Luna would be finishing her morning class about now. He pictured her moving through the space with the quiet grace that she always had. Luna was true serenity to him.
His phone buzzed, another email from Oakland Hills requesting a response or asking if he had any questions, wanting to meet with him. They needed an answer within the week. A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.
"Come in."
"Hey, got a minute?" Dawson asked, leaning against the doorframe. "Julie sent me up with coffee, but I really think she wanted me to check on you. She said you looked a little troubled at breakfast."
Archer held up his phone. "I got a job offer. Oakland Hills Golf Academy."
Dawson's eyebrows shot up. "Wait, is that in California?"
"Yeah, a long way from Seagrove," Archer said.
