Chapter 26
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
GRAND OPENING
DAHLIA
I kiss Dylan one more time.
“Okay, I know you have to go.” I take a step back and motion for him to go out the door.
He tugs me against him and gives me a kiss that makes my knees buckle.
“I love that there’s no ‘I’m leaving in a few days’ hanging over our heads,” he says.
I grin and sigh. “Me too.”
“Okay, you’re right. I really do have to go,” he says. “I love you.”
“I love you.”
Ever since Dylan told me over text that he loves me, we’ve been saying it multiple times, every day.
“Have the best time. I hope it’s a huge success. It’s going to be! Enjoy every minute.”
Windhaven, Dylan’s family resort, is having its grand opening. Their soft opening was a huge success, and I have no doubt this will only be better.
“I can’t change your mind about coming, can I?” he asks.
I shake my head. “I’m sorry. I’ll be here when you’re done, though.”
We’re still staying at the Airbnb when I’m in Windy Harbor because Dylan’s moved into the family home.
Each of the Whitman siblings has a parcel of land, and Dylan has only begun to really think about what kind of house he’d like.
He spends his nights here and then sneaks out around four every morning to make it back to the house before his grandmas wake up.
Besides that one outing to The Loon, Chloe and I have stayed put.
We play outside. The backyard is beautiful, and just beyond the grass is Lake Superior, so we have plenty to do while we’re here, but sometimes I’d like to visit all the cute places in town.
The Kitty-Corner Cafe looks so enticing, and Erin’s shop, Cox Trading Post, sounds amazing.
I’m wrist-deep in Play-Doh when the doorbell rings. Chloe squeals, “Auntie Ava!” and barrels toward the door, her curls boinging like pogo sticks. I wipe neon green from my fingers and open the door for my sister and Erin.
Chloe and I stay busy on our own, but having Auntie Ava and Erin stopping by whenever we’re in town really helps.
Ava bends down and scoops Chloe up and immediately starts the airplane game, while Erin kicks the door shut behind them. Chloe is so happy to have two new grown-ups in her life who dote on every little thing she does.
We migrate to the kitchen. Chloe is busy trying to give Erin a “makeover” with washable markers while Ava and I make iced lattes. When they’re ready, we carry them into the living room.
“So…any updates for me?” I ask, getting comfy on the couch.
Ava sits next to me, and Erin and Chloe sprawl out on the floor.
“Well, the Whitmans still think Erin and I have just become really good friends.”
“Why aren’t you telling them?” I ask. “They’re going to be so excited.”
“That’s what I’m saying,” Erin pipes up. “Now that this one knows I’m the real deal.” She winks at Ava.
Ava’s cheeks flush. “We’ve had a lot going on. Easter and then the grand opening…” She makes a face and then brightens. “Did you know the family suspects Dylan of seeing someone?”
“They do? No! Really?”
“They’re dying to know where he sneaks off. Noah’s even tried following him, but somehow Dylan loses them every time.”
We all laugh.
The marker squeaks across Erin’s cheek.
Ava raises both brows. “I thought Dylan wanted it to be open knowledge by now. Didn’t you say he put a limit on how long this secret could go on? Especially now that he’s living in Windy Harbor?”
The words land like pebbles out in that lake. I feel them sink.
I make a face. “Yes, and I feel awful that I’ve gone back on my word, but…
” I glance at Chloe, who’s moved on to putting stickers on Erin’s eyelids.
“Things have been so amazing. We’re adjusting to him not being two thousand miles away, and it’s heaven.
Nights together, mornings where he makes coffee and Chloe steals all the marshmallows from his Lucky Charms. I just… I don’t want to rock the boat.”
Erin snorts, eyes still closed under rainbow stickers. “The dad boat.”
I laugh, and then it catches in my throat. I didn’t even feel it coming. One second I’m giggling, the next my eyes are burning, and my chest feels like it’s caving in. I press the heels of my hands to my eyes like I can hold the tears in.
“Oh, Dahlia,” Ava says softly.
Erin peels a sticker off her eyelid and reaches for my hand.
“I’m sorry,” I say, my voice cracking.
That catches Chloe’s attention, and she comes over, staring at me with concern.
“I’m okay, baby girl,” I tell her. I look at Ava and Erin. “I know I’m being selfish. He deserves so much more than this. He should be able to walk down that main road—what is it called?”
“Wildbriar Lane,” Ava interjects.
“Wildbriar Lane, holding my hand if he wants to. He moved all the way across the country, and I’m still making him hide us.”
Chloe pats my wet cheek with a sticky palm. “Mama sad?”
“Mama’s just being silly.”
Ava rubs circles on my back. “You’re not silly. You’re scared. There’s a difference. What’s happening with Bruce lately?”
“I’ve stayed under the radar with him at work, which is always the best option. When I get too sassy, he threatens my job and our insurance, etcetera.”
Erin growls.
“You know who’s looking for a brilliant accounting manager?” Ava says.
“Who?” I ask in surprise. She knows I’ve been looking for another job for a couple of months.
“Everett Whitman. He’s holding things together with the help of all the kids, but they’re all so busy. He needs someone to take that over, especially now that the resort is open.”
“We want to keep that man as healthy as possible,” Erin adds. “He does not need the stress of the finances.”
“Like that would ever go over with Dad,” I say. “Or Everett would ever trust a Granger with his finances!”
Ava lifts her shoulder. “Maybe it’s time to rip off the Band-Aid. We’ve all got your back. Bruce tried to prevent Windhaven from happening, and so did I…and tonight is the grand opening…and I’m part of the family! The Whitmans are loving and forgiving, and there’s strength in numbers.”
I want to believe she’s right, but I’m just not sure.
I know what my dad is capable of.
Dylan is quiet when he gets back.
“How did it go?”
“It was great. Everyone loves the place so much. We’re booked through the rest of the year.”
“Dylan! That’s amazing!”
He nods.
“Why do you not seem excited?”
“It’s just hard. I feel like I’m living two separate lives. I’m not good at this, Dahlia. I feel like such a liar.”
I bite the inside of my mouth, and my eyes fill with tears. “I talked about it with Ava and Erin today. I feel awful about what I’m asking of you, Dylan. My mom says it’s asking too much—”
I stop when he turns on me, his eyes wide. “Your mom knows?”
My mouth drops open. Shit. “Yes, but—”
“How long has she known?”
“I-I don’t know. A while. I knew she wouldn’t tell anyone and—”
“Dahlia,” he says, looking up at the ceiling. “I can’t keep pretending the best part of my life doesn’t exist when I’m sitting at the family table. You’re everything to me, and they are too. I feel like you’re making me choose, and it’s just not…right.”
Tears stream down my face. “I would never ask you to choose. I’m scared of what my dad will do,” I admit. “Terrified, actually.”
He frowns. “What do I not know, Dahlia? Do you feel like you’re in danger?”
“No, but I feel like you could be if he finds out.”
He comes over and puts his arms around me, hugging me tight.
“This feels bigger than us, Doll. This secret will catch up with us eventually.” He pulls back and tilts my chin up to meet his eyes. There’s so much love there, it makes me cry again. “Because I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I love you that much. Do you love me that much?”
I nod, blinking as a new onslaught of tears falls. “I do.”