Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
JULES
The early evening sky above Memorial Park was alive in shades of gold and pink as I sat at the table next to Lacey, who looked radiant in her white lace wedding dress.
Adorned with pearls and sequins, she sparkled like a diamond under the evening light.
Even I had to admit my fitted navy dress made me feel uncharacteristically glamorous.
The fabric hugged my body just right, or maybe her joy radiated so fiercely that I couldn’t help but catch some of the glow.
“Can you believe we’re actually here?” Lacey murmured to me before taking a healthy swig of champagne.
The long table was covered in a white cloth, with floating candles inside clear vases placed strategically to illuminate the gardenias and pink roses surrounding them.
Daniel sat on her other side, with Randy next to him.
Randy wore an unmistakable expression of relief, having just given his speech. My time was coming up.
“Believe it,” I replied with a grin, nudging her playfully. “You’re officially off the market, Ashworth. Fully Lacey Greene now. We signed the marriage certificate and everything.”
She laughed, a sound so pure it made my heart swell.
“Guess it’s time. Wish me luck.” I stood and raised my glass, the weight of everyone’s gazes on me.
“When Lacey and I first met, I never imagined I’d be standing here today, watching her marry the love of her life.
Lacey, you’ve grown so much, becoming this incredible woman who’s ready to build a beautiful life with Daniel. ”
The words felt empty in my mouth. I swallowed hard, pushing down the lump in my throat as I continued my rehearsed speech. Comforting and uplifting, it was the opposite of how I felt. Lifting my chin, I scanned the crowd with a warm smile.
“I remember when Lacey first told me about Daniel. She was so nervous, fumbling over her words like she’d just downed a triple shot of espresso.
But then she said something that stuck with me: ‘I feel like I can finally breathe when I’m with him.
’ That’s what love should be, right? That effortless and inevitable, like the tide rolling in. ”
I glanced at Daniel, who was watching Lacey with sheer adoration.
“Daniel, you’ve become more than just a husband to Lacey.
You’ve become her partner in every sense of the word.
You’ve seen her at her worst, like when she eats an entire pizza by herself and insists it’s just a snack”—I paused to let the audience laugh—“and still you love her more for it.”
Lacey’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment and not a little delight.
I continued, my voice softening. “Lacey, you’ve always been the sunshine in my life, the one who reminds me to laugh when I’m too busy being serious.
You’ve taught me that love isn’t about perfection—it’s about navigating life’s messy moments together.
And, Daniel, you’ve clearly mastered the art of putting up with Lacey’s…
unique brand of chaos. Anyone who can handle a glitter explosion and a last-minute wedding venue change deserves a medal.
But seriously, you two complement each other perfectly, and that’s what makes your love story so special. ”
My lips curled into a wide smile, and I raised my glass higher, the champagne catching the light. “So here’s to Lacey and Daniel. May your love continue to be the kind that makes us all a little hopeful and a lot happy. Cheers to a lifetime of adventures, laughter, and maybe a few more pizzas.”
Still smiling as I watched them share a tender kiss, the weight of my own solitude pressed against my ribs.
Eli and I had finally faced our inevitable crisis.
But instead of facing it together, he’d run.
He’d hidden behind his familiar brand of lying low to avoid the consequences.
He wasn’t willing to fight for us, not really. And the realization stung.
Lacey was glowing, utterly enveloped in her newfound joy.
A pang of longing shot through me. Would I ever find someone to look at me like that?
Someone who could see past my meticulous nature and into the messier parts of my heart?
It felt a million miles away, an impossible dream scattered along the sandy shores of Dove Key.
As I took my seat again and swigged a long drink of champagne, I studied the hazy horizon.
Should I leave Sunset Siesta? I could forge a fresh start, somewhere Eli’s ghost wouldn’t haunt every corner.
But the thought of abandoning the resort, my home for so long, filled me with bitter resentment.
I was trapped, torn between my broken heart and the career I’d worked so hard to build.
Monday morning, the rain pelted against my office window as I stared at the spreadsheet before me. Numbers were my shield against emotional turmoil. I threw myself into the renovation budget with renewed vigor, determined to focus on the task at hand and the meeting I had with Harper shortly.
“Deficit… liability… projected income,” I muttered, the familiar financial jargon a soothing balm to my frayed nerves. And work became my refuge, allowing me to disappear into the figures, my ugly love life fading into the background.
A knock at the door jolted me from my concentration. I quickly smoothed my hair and straightened my blouse as I called out, “Come in.”
Harper entered, her usual bright energy tempered by something I couldn’t quite place. Concern, maybe?
“Good morning, Jules,” she said warmly, then caught herself. “Oh, I’m sorry. I mean, Julianne.”
A small smile raised my lips. “It’s okay, Harper. You can call me Jules if you’d rather. I think we’ve earned that level of familiarity by now, don’t you?”
An unexpected warmth bloomed in my chest when Harper’s smile reappeared as she settled into the chair across from me.
“I agree, and I’d like that.” Then her expression grew thoughtful. “How are you doing? Really?”
I hesitated, torn between my instinct to maintain professional distance and the genuine care I saw in Harper’s eyes. “I’m… managing. Focusing on work helps.”
“It always does. For me too.” She shifted, leaning forward slightly. “So what’s the financial situation looking like with regard to renovations?”
I exhaled slowly. “I wish I had better news, Harper. I’ve gone over everything with a fine-tooth comb, explored every possible cost-cutting measure—including potential staff reductions, which I hate to even consider. But the hard truth is, we need a loan, and it’s not going to be a small one.”
Harper’s shoulders sagged slightly, but she nodded, her expression resolute. “That’s nothing we weren’t expecting, huh? Thanks for running the figures anyway. What do you recommend as our next step?”
I turned the screen so Harper could see the spreadsheet, sending a small thank you to the universe that the thing didn’t short out and go dark.
“Based on Chase’s assessment, our top priorities have to be the roofs and the HVAC system.
They’re not sexy upgrades, they won’t directly boost bookings or guest satisfaction, but they’re absolutely critical for the resort’s long-term viability. ”
As I spoke, I pictured the charming, slightly ramshackle buildings of Sunset Siesta.
The place had wormed its way into my heart, becoming more than just a job.
“I know it’s not ideal, but if we secure a loan for these essential repairs, we can at least ensure the resort stays operational while we work on more guest-facing improvements. ”
Harper’s brow lowered. “I hear you. But balancing these immediate needs with our long-term goals isn’t an easy decision.”
“Of course not.”
“I’ll need to discuss this with the family,” Harper said as she rubbed a hand over the back of her neck. “There are so many factors to consider.”
“There certainly are. Let me know what you decide.” My words sounded so formal, so distant.
Harper’s eyes softened as she looked at me. “Jules, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your work on this. Your dedication to Sunset Siesta… it’s truly invaluable.”
Her words hit me unexpectedly, stirring something deep inside.
My professional mask slipped as I glanced at my bookcase with its battered Verne books and my scrappy little cactus on the desk.
“This place isn’t just a job for me anymore.
It’s home. I want to do everything I can to secure its future. ”
“That’s exactly why we’re lucky to have you. I’ll set up another formal meeting with Chase next week sometime after the family meeting. Be on the lookout for a calendar invite.”
“I will. Let me know if you need any figures beforehand. I’ll have them prepared.”
“Thanks, Jules. See you later.”
As she left, a sense of connection lingered between us—something deeper than mere professional respect. At least some good was coming from this disaster.
The dreary Monday afternoon dragged on. I worked on payroll, fingers flying over the keyboard as I entered numbers and checked calculations.
Something was missing. With a groan, I realized Eli hadn’t sent over the dive op payroll files.
My heart sank as I glanced at the clock.
If I didn’t get those soon, I’d be in trouble.
I thought about a phone call or email request, but I didn’t want to give him any reason to keep ignoring me.
I rose and made my way down the weathered wooden pier toward Eli’s domain.
The rain had stopped, but the sky still hung low, casting a gray pallor over everything.
As I entered the shop, I caught snippets of laughter from the classroom.
Eli’s voice carried to me, warm and animated, cutting through the humid air like a knife.
I paused outside the classroom door, just out of sight.
“Okay, folks! When you dive deep, remember—the air in your tank is compressed even more, right?” His tone was playful, filled with that familiar humor.
“So if you think you’re going to breathe the same amount of air down there as you do at thirty feet, think again!
You gotta manage your air like it’s the last slice of pizza! ”
The students laughed, and my heart twisted. I leaned against the wall, listening as he continued, his passion for diving evident in every word. He had a gift for making complex concepts feel accessible, even fun. I could picture him in the water—confident, magnetic, alive.
“Now, when we reach depth, we’ll also need to watch for narcosis.” His voice dropped slightly, becoming serious yet still engaging. “Just like how you might make questionable life choices at a party, you can make some… interesting decisions at depth if you’re not careful.”
Another round of laughter erupted, and an aching nostalgia washed over me. I realized I was smiling without even knowing it. God, I missed this. I missed him—the Eli who made me laugh until my sides hurt, who lit up every room he entered.
“Seriously, though, nitrogen narcosis is no joke. Not everyone experiences it, but if you find yourself feeling loopy or euphoric, let your buddy and dive leader know. That’s all for the classroom session. See you guys bright and early tomorrow.”
As the students filed out, I stepped into the dive shop, my heart humming despite my efforts to remain calm.
The bright aquamarine walls of the dive shop surrounded me, still echoing with Eli’s enthusiasm.
He glanced up, his eyes widening slightly at the sight of me.
He looked breathtakingly good—tousled blond hair, sun-kissed skin, a faded Dive Sunset Siesta T-shirt clinging to his athletic frame.
“Hi, Eli.” My simple sentence pleased me. It sounded friendly, professional. Not the tone of a woman who was trying to refrain from jumping into a man’s arms. Right this second.
“Jules.” His voice was more cautious as he closed a file folder and placed it in his backpack. “What brings you by?”
“Just checking on those payroll files. You haven’t sent them over yet.”
He winced. “Damn. I’m sorry. I had to lead an unexpected dive trip this morning and it slipped my mind. I’ve got them ready, though—give me just a sec.”
I nodded stiffly as he moved to the computer. My eyes traced the familiar lines of his back, remembering how it felt to wrap my arms around him. This man was similar to the Eli I’d once battled with, but different too. That Eli would have never spared a second thought for the payroll report.
“Should be right here…” He clicked a few buttons, and I shifted my weight, fighting against the swirl of emotions rising inside me. “There,” he said, turning back to me. “Just emailed them to you.”
“Thanks.” I kept my tone light and friendly. “Here we are, two coworkers getting along famously. I didn’t even have to nag. Quite a change from how we started out, huh?”
I’d meant it as a light-hearted quip, but Eli’s face crumpled, pain flashing in his eyes. “Yeah. Not how I wanted things to change, though.”
My breath caught in my throat. “What do you mean?”
“This. Us.” Eli’s voice was raw, filled with regret. “Being forced to choose between my family and you. I hate it, Jules. I talked to my mom, but she still won’t budge.”
I got it. Truly. Family loyalty ran deep. Especially for Eli, who’d watched his parents’ bitter divorce transform familial love into a minefield of betrayal and pain. He’d had no choice.
But understanding didn’t make the ache any less devastating.
I couldn’t ask him to choose me over his family, for God’s sake. And how would that solve anything if we were together, but the rest of the resort was united against us?
I raised my chin, refusing to show how I felt. “It’s a complicated situation. People say that what’s meant to be finds a way. Guess we’re just not meant to be.” I nodded with my head at his computer. “Thanks for sending over the file.”
I headed toward the exit, the weight of unsaid words filling the air between us.
“Jules, please…”
I couldn’t bear to look back. The pain in my chest was suffocating, and as I walked down the pier, each step felt heavier. The beauty of the ocean shimmered around me, but all I could think about was the chasm between what I wanted and what reality offered.
The thought of leaving Dove Key flitted once more through my head. But I disregarded it for one simple reason. I had a feeling that no matter where I went, Eli would always be a part of my story—a bittersweet reminder of what could have been.