Chapter 6 Gillian
GILLIAN
Thirteen bodies moved in unison across the studio floor, following my cues through the morning Pilates routine.
Sunlight streamed through the windows, warming the polished wood as I walked between the mats, adjusting postures and offering corrections.
Delphine, Esme, Seraphina, and Lila held their planks in the second row—my usual crew, here three mornings a week without fail.
After the others filtered out, toweling off and chatting about their days, my friends lingered. They rolled up their mats slowly, exchanging glances I pretended not to notice. This morning, they clearly had no intention of leaving anytime soon.
“Tell us how it went,” Esme said. “I’ve been dying to know.”
“It was … weird,” I said. “Hard to even explain.”
“She came home glowing,” Delphine said. “Which worries me.”
“Don’t be like that,” Esme said, smacking her arm. “You’re such a buzz kill sometimes.”
“Sorry. But I don’t want her to get hurt,” Delphine said.
“It was one date,” Seraphina said. “No one’s getting hurt.”
“Not yet,” Delphine mumbled.
“What was it like to see him after all this time?” Lila asked after shooting Delphine a look.
“Like I said, strange. It felt as if no time had passed and yet the opposite too.” I drank from my water bottle, the image of Alex’s soft brown eyes as he looked at me across the table playing before my eyes. “He’s as sweet and interesting as he always was. But he’s been through a lot.”
“The poor man. Losing his wife like that,” Lila said. “And leaving him alone to raise the children.”
“Kind of like us?” Delphine asked.
“Exactly like us,” I said. “And he adopted them, just like I did Grace.”
“It’s a remarkable coincidence,” Lila said.
“And you know what else?” I asked. “His wife’s the one who suggested he move the kids to Willet Cove. Isn’t that wacky?”
“Like she had a premonition or something?” Lila asked. “Like she knew you would be here waiting for him.”
Delphine groaned. “This is not one of Seraphina’s books.”
“It kind of sounds like it.” Seraphina wiped her forehead with a towel. “I’ve often wondered about what it would be like to meet someone you’d once been in love with after a decade or two. Does he still make your skin tingle?”
“God, yes,” I said. “And he’s so handsome. All I wanted was for him to kiss me. The way he did the last time I saw him.”
“When was that exactly?” Lila asked.
“He took me to the train station when I left New York for California.” I closed my eyes for a moment, remembering how he’d looked that day, standing on the platform, his gaze glued to mine, as if we could stop time with the intensity of our feelings.
“He kissed me before I boarded. A kiss I’ve never forgotten.
I never thought I’d feel that way again. Not with anyone else anyway.”
“Is this why you’ve never dated?” Seraphina asked.
“I’ve dated a bit,” I said.
“Not much,” Delphine said.
“Honestly? The few men I’ve dated since Alex did not make my knees all wobbly or hold my interest. There’s never been anyone even close to that.”
“For you,” Delphine said. “He married someone else.”
“Yes, and it sounds like he loved her very much,” I said. “Which makes me feel jealous. Isn’t that awful? She’s dead, for heaven’s sake, and all I can think about is how lucky she was to have married him.”
“It’s normal,” Esme said. “I mean, you loved him, and he had a whole life with someone else.”
“And now he’s back,” Lila said.
“I cannot wait to hear how tonight goes,” Esme said. “What are you going to wear?”
I hadn’t thought about it. “A dress, I guess.”
“Wear that blue one you wore to that party we went to last year,” Lila said. “You look amazing in that dress.”
It took me a moment to remember which dress she referred to but then it came to me. It was a light blue sheath dress that came up to my mid thigh. “You don’t think it’s too much?”
“If I had your legs, I’d be showing them off,” Esme said. “So, no.”
“When do we get to meet him?” Delphine asked.
“Tyler has a game the day after tomorrow,” Seraphina said. “I suggest we all go. Check out this Alex character.”
“I’m in,” Delphine said. “But I hope he knows how protective we are of our own. He messes with you, and it won’t be pretty.”
“Delphine, you sound like we’re part of the mob or something,” Esme said, laughing.
“Not the mob, but certainly a gang.” Delphine crossed her arms over her chest and raised one eyebrow. “God help him.”
My doorbell rang right at 7:30. Grace, who had been sitting on my bed advising me about what jewelry and sandals to wear with the blue sheath dress, leapt up to go downstairs to answer the door.
Socks and Clementine, our cats, bolted under the bed at the sound of the door opening and Alex greeting Grace.
I took a last look in the full-length mirror, hoping my black sandals wouldn’t hurt my feet.
I’d followed Esme’s request to wear the sheath, even though I worried it was too formal.
Grace had assured me that it was perfect for such a fancy restaurant.
Even I could see that the dress looked nice on me and I’d taken extra care with my makeup.
However, I wasn’t happy with my hair. My curls never behaved, especially not in sea air.
But there was nothing to be done. I didn’t want to keep Alex waiting.
I hurried downstairs but stopped halfway, listening for a moment to the conversation between Grace and Alex.
“Mom doesn’t get to go to nice places that often, so she’s super excited.”
“I’m pleased to take her out,” Alex said.
“Do your kids know about you and Mom? From before, I mean?”
“They do.” I detected caution in his tone.
He didn’t want to say too much. Because they weren’t supportive?
I really needed to keep my head about this whole thing.
His children might never come around. They might try and sabotage us or cause trouble.
Until we had their blessing, nothing could come of this.
I vowed to get more information about their reactions at dinner.
It was important I knew exactly what I was facing.
“Are they upset?” Grace asked.
A hesitation before he answered. “Bella’s not that excited about me dating, no.”
“It’s totally understandable,” Grace said. “But once they meet my mom, they’ll love her like everyone does.”
I walked the rest of the way downstairs, my heels making click clack noises on the wood floor.
They both turned to look at me as I reached the last step.
Grace grinned, clearly pleased with how I looked.
Alex tugged on his ear and tilted his head, never taking his eyes off me. “You look gorgeous.”
“Thank you. Am I overdressed?”
Alex wore a pair of slacks and button down shirt with a blue blazer. “Not at all. You’re perfect.”
“We have cats. Are you allergic?” Grace asked.
“No, not that I know of,” Alex said.
“Do you have any pets?” Grace asked.
“Not at the moment, no,” Alex said.
“Do you want to see the kitchen?” Grace asked.
I hesitated, pulse quickening. What would he think of the home I was so proud of? Compared to his mansion, it might seem ridiculous.
“Sure, lead the way,” Alex said, as he followed my daughter into our kitchen, with me right behind.
“Here it is,” Grace said, gesturing with a flourish as if unveiling a stage set. “We spend a ton of time in here.”
Alex looked around my bright little kitchen with its gleaming farmhouse sink, open shelves lined with sea-glass bottles and vintage jars, light spilling through spotless windows. Would he think the warm wood counters that Lila had suggested to soften all the white were too “country?”
Alex’s eyes traveled slowly over the space, and his smile deepened. “It’s really special. You ladies have done a great job decorating.”
“Lila helped us,” Grace chirped. “That’s Mia’s mom. She’s an interior designer.”
“Lila Morgan Interiors, right?” Alex asked.
“That’s correct,” I said. “She’s really talented.”
“She’s going to be on TV,” Grace said. “A renovation show that features beach houses. Isn’t that so cool?”
“Very much so,” Alex said.
“Who decorated your house?” Grace asked.
Goodness, my daughter was nosy.
“I hired a designer I’d used before. When we lived in San Francisco.”
A shadow passed over Grace’s face. Was she thinking about his life before now? The home he’d shared with his wife? Or was that just me?
I forced myself to set aside my unease as Grace pulled Alex into the living room.
I studied his face as his gaze moved over the slipcovered sofas and woven baskets, lingering on the driftwood accents Lila had discovered at various thrift shops.
I'd chosen the pale blues and creams to echo the sea.
Not that we had an ocean view, but I'd been determined to give the cottage that breezy, coastal atmosphere.
“This is where we hang out,” Grace said. “Movie nights, homework, whatever. Isn’t it cozy?”
“It’s great,” Alex said.
“Probably small compared to your house,” I said. “But it’s ours, and we love it.”
Grace crossed to the bookshelf, plucking a silver frame from its spot. “This was me.” This was the photo I kept on display of Grace as a baby, cheeks impossibly round, eyes wide and curious. He studied it with a reverence that made my throat tighten.
“What a pretty baby you were,” Alex said.
“I know, right?” Grace swapped it for another frame—this one of the five kids, tangled together on a beach towel at about seven years old, sunburned noses and toothy grins. “That’s all of us,” Grace said proudly. “They’re like our family. Mom loves this photo.”
My eyes stung. She wanted him to know our history. Which made me both teary and wary at the same time. Delphine’s voice echoed through my mind. In my experience, if something seems too good to be true, it usually is.
Alex studied the picture for a long moment, then looked back at Grace. “I recognize Tyler. I’d know that grin anywhere.”
“That’s right,” Grace said. “This was before any of us got braces. As you can see.”
“And who’s that next to you—Annie?” Alex asked.