Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 85565 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 428(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85565 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 428(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
He took them and followed Karlie out the door. At least one of the Gilleys was getting the love they deserved. And it couldn’t have happened to a better one of us.
As I’d expected, half the town had shown up to celebrate Karlie and say farewell to the Sea Sprite. In many ways, the inn had been a part of all of their lives. During its heyday it brought tourists to the town shops, and it was a favorite location for local weddings and parties. If I had to guess, most women in town had had some sort of professional photos taken on the back lawn at sunset: senior portraits, engagement photos, bridal shots, maternity pics. It was one of the best views on the Cape, and it probably graced hundreds of mantel pieces.
I couldn’t believe I was going to have to let it go.
The party was in full swing inside, with people spilling onto the back patio and lawn to watch as the sun started sinking its way into the sea. Karlie had recovered quickly from her earlier episode and was happily holding court from a comfortable chair on the patio while Brant hustled around waiting on her hand and foot.
I’d been able to muster a smile for a good couple of hours but was frankly exhausted and had snuck away to sit and watch the sunset alone from the stairs leading down to the beach.
So when I heard the crunch of steps approaching behind me, I internally groaned and tried to muster some shred of happiness. A bottle of cold beer appeared over my shoulder, and I looked up to find Uncle Brian standing above me. Relieved it was someone I didn’t have to pretend around, I let go of my forced smile and took the offered beer with a nod of thanks.
He took a seat next to me, and for a moment we sipped our beers in silence, enjoying the faded sounds of the party behind us and the lap of waves along the shore below.
“We closed the deal today,” he finally said.
I sucked in a breath, a sharp pain lancing my heart. I’d known it was coming, of course. But I hadn’t known it was today.
“So it’s done?” I asked, my voice breaking.
He nodded.
I closed my eyes and let my chin drop to my chest, a wave of despair and disappointment washing over me. It was over. All the fighting and planning and trying to save this place and I’d failed.
Uncle Brian dropped a heavy hand on my shoulder, squeezing tight. “I’m sorry, son.” His voice was gruff, and I knew this must not have been easy for him either. After all, he’d grown up in this inn just as much as I had. It had been his family legacy as well.
I had a sudden, intense longing for James. If he were here, I thought, I might be able to face this, but somehow it seemed extra cruel to be forced to endure this without him. But that was the decision I’d made. I was the one who’d left him. I was the one who’d blocked him. I was the one who’d cut him out of my life.
I just wasn’t prepared for how empty I’d feel without him.
I swallowed, trying to find the nerve to ask the question. “Was… uh… that lawyer—James—there?”
I held my breath, wondering how it would feel to know he’d been so close. Likely only miles away, and yet still hadn’t stopped by to see me. If that was the case, it really was over between us.
Uncle Brian shook his head. “Nah, some other lawyer was there. Much douchier city guy.”
I frowned, surprised. I guess it made sense, especially if, as Karlie said, he’d left the firm. But why? This deal had been important to him, and I didn’t understand why he was suddenly no longer involved. Unless it had all been an act. Unless this had just been one deal of hundreds and he’d already moved on to another.
I wondered if he’d move on to another man as easily.
Except that wasn’t who James was. He hadn’t been faking with me. He wasn’t that kind of man—I knew that in my heart.
“It was strange, though,” Uncle Brian added. “There were a bunch of last-minute changes.”
I felt a jolt of alarm followed by anger. “Seriously? Ugh, of course there were. Assholes. Probably trying to screw us over.”
He shook his head slowly, still focused on the setting sun. “I’m not so sure about that. Greg seemed pretty pleased. We all got paid, that much I do know. Took my ass straight to the bank to deposit that check. I’d never seen so many zeros before.” He chuckled to himself, as though he still couldn’t believe it.
“Well, that’s good at least. Since the money was the whole point of it. What kind of changes did they ask for?” I asked, wondering if I’d made a mistake by not being there to sign the papers in person.