Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
Saylor
T oday was the senior center's garden party.
The center was very active and hosted a lot of events throughout the year.
It was clear to me that being involved in the center kept my grandmother socially active and happy.
She had close friendships, and the parties were a good reason to get the entire community together.
Marshall dropped Hayden off early to set up. There would be a live band, dance floor, food, and a tent with tables for guests to gather and eat.
I worked on a new marketing campaign in the morning, then got ready for the party.
I was doing my makeup in the bathroom when Marshall popped his head in. "You want to ride with me?"
I shrugged. "We're going the same place. Makes sense."
He grinned. "You can be my date."
I rolled my eyes. "We're not eighteen anymore. We don't have to call it that."
Marshall moved closer to me, and I turned so I could face him. "What if I want you on my arm?"
I smiled at the idea of him wanting to be my date. "I'd say I'd like that."
"It's official then. You're my date to the garden party."
"That sounds fancy when you say it like that."
"I think that's how they wanted it to be. Hayden said she worked really hard to make it the social event of the year."
I smiled. "Has she been spending too much time with my grandmother? She sounds like her."
He brushed a strand of my hair out of my face, then kissed me softly on the lips, making my heart skip a beat. "Probably. I'm ready to go whenever you are."
"A few more minutes," I said as he backed out of the bathroom.
There was a fluttering in my stomach that reminded me of when we were teens. Every time I met up with him back then, I felt that same sensation.
Did that mean I had feelings for him again? It felt different now that we were older and more mature. Everything was new back then. But now, it was a natural progression. Was that how it was when you were with the right person? Or was it our shared past that made things easier?
Would the same thing have happened had we lived on opposite sides of the island? I didn't think so. It was the forced proximity combined with our history that brought us together. But that didn't mean we were meant to be together. My practical side continued to war with my dreamer self.
After the recent end to my past relationship, it wasn't a good idea to put too much stock into this thing with Marshall. It was a fling. It was supposed to be light and easy because there was no pressure, no need for there to be anything else.
Marshall was taking me to a garden party that his daughter had helped to organize. It was a fun afternoon. There was no meaning to it. Marshall was just teasing me with this talk of dates. He wasn't in love with me.
Why had my heart rate picked up at the idea?
I finished applying mascara, then swiped lip gloss over my lips. I wouldn't put any pressure on this date or my relationship with Marshall. I wanted it to be light and breezy. It was a summer fling, an escape from my real life. That's why it was so fun and enjoyable.
As soon as I was back in Jacksonville, I'd realize that Marshall belonged to Sanibel summers. The rest of the year, I didn't have a place in his life.
He had his daughter, his family, and a business to worry about. I needed to put my life back together, find a place to live in Jacksonville, and figure out if this was the job I wanted for the foreseeable future.
I grabbed my wedge sandals and found Marshall in the living room. He stood as soon as I reached the bottom of the stairs.
"Are you going to ask my grandmother if you can extend your stay?" I asked him brightly, trying not to think about the fact that I'd be gone by then.
"You think it would be a good time to do it today?" he asked, grabbing his keys from the hook by the door.
I slipped on the wedges, holding onto his arm for support. "She'll be in a good mood. She loves hosting parties."
"I might then. I kind of love this place."
So he loved the beach house, but did he have feelings for me? I had no business even considering the possibility.
On the short ride to the senior center, I thought about not being this close to my grandmother, Marshall, or Hayden anymore. I'd miss the people and the island. My throat tightened.
"You okay?"
I cleared my throat. "Of course. Why do you ask?"
He glanced over at me, concern etched on his face. "You're quiet today."
I shrugged. "Just thinking about the end of summer."
"You'll move back to Jacksonville, and Hayden will be in Naples. I'll want to work so I can keep busy."
"You don't think you'll change your mind and move to Naples?" I asked him, a little too invested in his possible answer.
"I'll have to see how it is. But I have a feeling it's going to be harder to be away from her now that we've grown closer this summer."
"I can imagine it will be difficult."
He raised a brow. "You want kids?"
"I've always thought I'd have them eventually. You know, when I meet someone and get married. It's a natural progression. But after seeing you and Hayden together, it makes me want that for myself sooner than I was thinking." I couldn't believe I'd admitted that out loud.
He inclined his head. "You're good with her."
"She's a teenager. Babies and toddlers are different." I racked my brain for any experience with babies, and I couldn't find any. I was an only child and the youngest in my extended family.
"I wasn't always there for everything, but I think the teenager attitude has been the most difficult to navigate. I have a feeling it gets harder as they get older." He pulled into the lot where a teenager was directing traffic. The lot was filling up.
"This is a great turnout," I said, happy for Grandma. "I think they're becoming known for putting on great parties."
"My brother declared his love for Hazel at the last one. Maybe people are hoping to witness something like that."
"Aren't most of your brothers spoken for at this point?" I asked.
"Shepard and Dalton are still single as far as I know."
We got out and followed the groups of people walking around back where the main event was taking place. The large deck was still lined with rocking chairs but now had tables for drinks and food and a few tables to sit and enjoy the view.
There were groups of people spread out across the lawn. Games had been strategically set up, and several groups had brought their own chairs and blankets to enjoy the festivities. There was cornhole, horseshoes, and even croquet. Everyone looked like they were having a good time.
Grandma stood with her friends on the deck with drinks with umbrellas in them. When I approached, she broke away from them and hugged me. "I'm so happy you're here."
Then Grandma turned to Marshall. "You must be so proud of your daughter. She's done an amazing job. She's so responsible and conscientious."
"I am," Marshall said, accepting her hug.
"Are you enjoying your time in Sanibel?" she asked both of us.
I looked at Marshall, trying to send the signal that it would be a good time to broach the subject of the cottage rental.
"I am actually. I was hoping I could convince you to extend my stay," Marshall said smoothly.
Grandma sobered. "What were you thinking?"
"I'm looking for a beach house for sale, but I want to wait until the right one comes on the market. I know that's not a great answer, but it's the best I can do for now. I'd love any extra time you could give me."
Grandma turned her attention to me. "What about you? What are your plans?"
"I'm due to go back to Jacksonville soon." I probably should have looked for a place to stay. I didn't want to think too hard about why I was avoiding it. Signing a lease seemed permanent, and I wasn't ready to make any big decisions.
Everything would change. My time wouldn't be my own. I'd be expected to work certain hours in the office. I was starting to think that working for myself would be a nicer option. I just wasn't convinced I could support myself and find good health insurance. There were so many what-ifs.
"I certainly don't mind if you extend your stay. It's usually quiet in the fall. I just would have thought you might want to stay there together," Grandma said finally.
"Why would we want to do that?" I asked before I thought about my answer.
Grandma leaned in. "I was hoping this would be a love match.
I waved a hand, my face flushing. "Oh, well, just because we were together years ago, doesn't mean?—"
Marshall put his arm around me. "I need a bit more time. She's just come out of a bad relationship and needs to warm up to the idea of us." Then Marshall winked at Grandma, and I was more confused than ever.
Was this a ploy to convince Grandma to rent to him, or was he actually serious?
"Don't let this one go," Grandma said to me with a wink before Phyllis called her over to talk to someone.
I smacked Marshall's stomach. "What was that?"
Marshall grinned playfully. "She likes the idea of us together."
That confirmed my suspicion that he was saying what she wanted to hear. But it made me hopeful for more, and I needed to figure out why that was.
He led me over to a table where his family was seated. Even Dalton was there with his baby, Lilliana, who was sitting in his lap, sucking on her thumb.
"The gardens are beautiful, aren't they?" Elena asked me.
"I haven't had a chance to walk around yet," I admitted.
"You should before it gets too busy," Hudson said to us.
"You want to take a walk?" Marshall asked me, and I nodded. "Sure."
We were here to see the new gardens that Kingston Construction and the teen volunteers had built, and it would give me time alone with Marshall. Maybe I could get a better idea of what he meant when he said he needed more time with me.