Chapter Twenty-three
Twenty-three
There was no reason to worry. Things were going according to plan – positively, even.
Except anything positive triggered Annie’s suspicion. Things never went well for Annie, at least not recently. She’d had a slew of bad luck, and it felt like the natural flow of her life now. Her husband running off, not being able to finish her PhD, losing her home, losing her future…
Anything that went against the trend seemed fake.
Yet as she stood in the cramped bedroom she shared with her mother, staring at her sparkling reflection in the mirror, she had the tiniest hope things might be turning around.
The week prior brought the custody and child support hearing with Roy. It was done virtually and far less formally than she’d expected. Roy came prepared, flanked by a stern-looking attorney, and Annie attended by herself.
Well, sort of by herself. The judge was on her side immediately, chastising Roy for his “transparent attempt to decrease child support obligations.”
“You must think,” she had said, “I’m just a dumb country judge who hasn’t seen this play a hundred times before.”
Miles had been right about all of it. Roy’s laughable attempt at full custody was called out for what it was – a ploy -- and the judge took no mercy on him.
She set a formal child support payment more than five times what Annie had asked for.
She denied full custody but did implement a formal custody agreement with gradually increasing visits – one weekend a month, then two weekends a month if it went well.
Roy would also be responsible for paying all costs associated with the ferry since he was the one who had chosen to move off the island.
In less than half an hour, it was over. Annie had shut her laptop and stared at the wall for a full five minutes, wading through her thoughts and riding the waves of emotions.
At first, she felt bad for Roy. She hadn’t wanted it to go that way. The amount he had to pay felt shocking. Truly shocking.
It had all started because she was afraid of overdrawing her bank account every month, and after sitting with the judge’s words in her head, the feeling of guilt receded.
It was plainly obvious, even to a stranger, what Roy was up to. The judge had called his behavior “borderline abandonment.”
It wasn’t in Annie’s head. It wasn’t an exaggeration. And it wasn’t her fault.
After the hearing, she threw herself into the whirlwind of last minute preparations for the fundraiser. It came together beautifully, likely because of Margie. She was not just an expert at throwing events, but a darling who could get anything from anyone just by flashing a smile.
The auction for the fundraiser had everything: a sunset sailing cruise with a dinner by a private chef, rock climbing lessons, a year’s supply of fresh oysters, a helicopter ride for a weekend getaway on a private estate, an oil painting of Friday Harbor, a handmade wooden canoe – it was incredible, and the support from the community was unmatched.
The guest list was packed, a local band volunteered their services in exchange for dinner, and Annie had a babysitter and this beautiful gown.
She stared at her reflection, the sequined flowers catching in the light, the fabric clinging to her curves, and her hair falling around her shoulders in loose waves.
Annie took a deep breath. For the first time in what felt like years, she felt pretty.
Could things really be turning around for her? Was there any chance that Miles would take notice of her? In this gown, with this makeup, without yogurt in her hair, might he see her?
He would be there in a tuxedo, apparently, as the firemen had made a point to rent them for the event.
They didn’t know this, but they were to be honored at the end of the night.
It was Margie’s idea. They’d surely be in high demand all night, but maybe Annie could ask Miles for a dance, if she were so bold.
It was easy enough to pass off as something a friend would do. As far as she knew, he wasn’t bringing a date, either.
Although a few weeks prior, right around Valentine’s Day, she’d seen Miles out with a woman. She was quite pretty, casually sitting and laughing with Miles and Bella over breakfast.
Annie had caught a glimpse of them as she passed by, carting the twins off to swim lessons, when she had seen them. He’d never mentioned anyone, though, and never said he had a Valentine.
In fact, he’d gotten Annie a box of chocolates, local and exquisite – not that she had any illusions that she was his Valentine.
He never talked about the woman, and neither did Bella. It could’ve been an aunt, or a cousin. Annie couldn’t stop thinking about it, but it seemed like nothing out of the ordinary for the two of them, so…
Annie wasn’t going to let herself be defeated by her own thoughts. Not today. She was going to shed her sad persona and go to this fundraiser disguised as a pretty woman. She was going to see Miles there. She was going to talk to him, and maybe even dance with him.
She slipped on a pair of heels and headed out the door.
Miles had offered to give her a ride, but Annie wanted to get there early to help Margie with any last-minute issues.
Of course, there was nothing for her to do. She pulled up to Saltwater Cove and parked her car. Margie’s husband Hank was there welcoming early arrivers and vendors.
“Looking snazzy,” he said with a nod.
It was rare to see him out of his sheriff uniform. Even when Annie saw him at home wearing a t-shirt, he looked authoritative. “You too, Hank.”
The barn at Saltwater Cove was dressed for the occasion.
Margie had a stunning flower arch filled with roses and hydrangeas at the entry – perfect for people to take pictures.
Inside the barn, the band was setting up under warm lights, the tables were draped in beautiful linens and topped with more flowers.
Annie walked the grounds slowly, taking in the details.
The sky was a band of bright blue. The ocean was calm, granting them a reprieve from wind.
They had been blessed with unusually warm weather for the season.
Despite this, Margie was prepared for the party to go late into the night, with gas-powered heaters standing every few feet outside.
“Margie, this is magnificent,” Annie said when they met outside of the barn.
“No, you are magnificent,” she stepped back, holding both of her hands.
Annie could only roll her eyes. Margie was dressed in a stunning white gown threaded with delicate lace, and flowers in her hair.
“You look lovely.”
“Thank you!”
“I am so excited for today.” Annie took a deep breath, pushing away the negative thoughts. “What can I do to help?”
Margie tapped her chin. “I’d like you to enjoy yourself. You’ve been a huge part of the magic.”
Annie beamed. “Thanks, Margie.”
Over the course of the next twenty minutes, the venue went from beautiful and empty to suddenly full of people and activity: swooshing dresses, booming laughter, and guests with their arms around each other’s shoulders, smiling for pictures.
Annie’s head was spinning. Everyone was here – vendors she’d worked with, people who had donated, people she knew from church and daycare -- yet, no Miles.
She was busy fetching bottles of water for the band, constantly scanning the crowd, when she spotted a familiar face.
At first, she thought she was seeing things. There was no way the woman at the bar could be the same woman she’d seen out with Miles.
Annie dropped off the waters before discreetly making her way back to the bar, weaving through the revelers until she got close enough to confirm.
Yes, it was her, dressed in a strapless black satin gown, her blonde hair twisted into a complicated knot at the nape of her neck.
Mile’s mystery woman, even more gorgeous than Annie remembered.
Her heart sunk into her stomach. This woman had to be Miles’ date. Why else would she be here, standing and laughing, bright and happy?
Heat burned on Annie’s skin. She stumbled her way to the bathroom and locked the door behind her, dabbing water on the back of her neck. She almost splashed water on her face, remembering at the last second she was wearing makeup.
Of course Miles had a date. Why wouldn’t he? He was the fire department’s most eligible bachelor.
And who was Annie? A friend. A neighbor. A charity case on occasion, but nothing more.
It took her several minutes to regain her composure, and when she emerged from the bathroom, someone called her name.
She thought she might have to face him, but it was only Lauren.
Annie stopped dead in her tracks. “What are you doing here?”
Lauren screwed up her face, opening her mouth in mock surprise. “That’s how I’m greeted!”
“You don’t even like the firefighters,” Annie said. She was too emotionally fried to find kinder words.
Lauren cast a look over her shoulder. “What? I never said that.”
“You don’t seem to have a problem with the company ripping them off for fire truck parts, and now you’re here at the fundraiser?”
Lauren grabbed her arm and pulled her aside. “What is going on with you, Annie?”
She caught sight of the beautiful woman again. Recklessness surged in her chest. “Where did you get that Porsche, Lauren?”
“Annie,” she whispered. “Keep your voice down. It’s not what you think.”
“I don’t know what to think.”
“You don’t understand,” she said, her eyes round. “We needed that car.”
Annie stared at her as understanding threatened to break through the emotional storm in her head. “What?”
She hadn’t been accusing her of anything, but Lauren was ready with a confession.
“I’m not against the firefighters. I’m against weak cases.”
“Weak cases,” Annie repeated slowly.
A shout rang out, and both Annie and Lauren looked to the crowd.
Lauren let out a groan. “Oh, no. It’s Alex.”
“Who is that?” Annie asked.
“My brother,” she said with a sigh.
Annie didn’t even know Lauren had a brother. Apparently, there was a lot she didn’t know about her friend.
“He was in a relationship with Clarissa, one of the firefighters. They ended things a few months ago, and he hasn’t taken it well. I mean, he’s not well. I’m surprised he showed up here.”
By the looks of it, no one else seemed terribly shocked. Hank already had the unruly sweatpant-clad man by the arm, spinning him around and walking him out like a perp.
Miles appeared at Hank’s side, his broad shoulders filling out a sleek black tuxedo. He stood tall and handsome, like something out of a dream.
Annie watched, mesmerized, as he spoke to Hank and Alex. When Hank disappeared, Miles turned. He caught her eye, a broad smile crossing his face.
Her heart, the traitor, fluttered against her ribcage.