Chapter 15
Eve
My alarm chimedand I reached over to turn it off. I glanced at the clock wondering where the day went. I’m meeting Max on the beach and we’re walking down to his place for dinner. But first, Grace should be calling.
That last thought just crossed my mind when my computer, phone, and iPad buzzed at the same time. I opened the app on my computer and Grace’s face appeared on my screen.
“Hi honey!”
“Mom! I just found out that I aced my third paper!” she said.
“That’s amazing! Congratulations!”
She’d been texting grades from papers and tests through the week, but was waiting on this last one to come in. After telling me the grade she received, and explaining its equivalent to US grades and filled me in on her week. Lots of classes and studying, but also fun times with friends. Most parents would be worried about the former, but I’m just as concerned about the latter. But I’m fortunate because Grace has always been a good student.
“And the most exciting news of the week is that I saw a story online that said Chase and Corbin are doing a reunion show. It’s supposed to be a limited series.”
I rolled my eyes and chuckled.
“That’s as big as you killing it at Cambridge?”
“Mom, you know how much I love that show.”
“Oh I know. The walls of your room are still covered with posters.”
“I took some of them down.”
“Yeah, the ones of Chase.”
She scrunched her nose.
“You know I’ve always been a Corbin girl.”
The show is about two brothers. One was portrayed as the high school stud while his stepbrother was chubby and awkward. Grace had a crush on the latter.
“So how’s the book coming along?” she asked when she was telling me the details of the article that may or may not be true. It felt like I was having a conversation with middle-school Grace again.
“I’m almost done. I just have two more chapters to write. Three with the bonus epilogue.”
“Mom, that’s so awesome! I’m so glad Aunt Winnie convinced you to go to Seaside. The change of space really helped.” She narrowed her eyes and studied my face. “Unless there’s something else going on there in Seaside. A little romance maybe?”
“Why do you say that?”
“I don’t know.” She shrugged. “There’s just something there. A twinkle, a glow, a blush,” she said with dramatic flair. “You’re the romance author, help me out here.”
I still haven’t mentioned Max to her. Yes, she’s an adult, but she’s also my daughter. Since I expected Max to be a summer fling, I didn’t see a reason to tell her about him. But now that we’ve spent so much time together, chances are I’ll say something about him when telling her about my time here. Plus I have tons of pictures of him. Obviously I could hide them, but why should I?
“There is a man I’ve been seeing.”
“Mom! Writing and dating? Seaside has been good for you. Maybe you should stay longer.”
I shook my head.
“This isn’t my real life. I have to get back home.”
“Why?” Before I could think of an answer, she said, “How many writers do you know
that have moved for an extended period of time? Or sold all their belongings, bought an RV, and hit the road.”
There’ve been a lot, that’s for sure. One nice thing about being a full-time writer is that you can do it anywhere.
I heard Aunt Winnie walking up the stairs and took it as an opportunity to change the subject.
“Hold on,” I said to Grace just before I stood and headed to the door. I opened it just as my aunt stepped on the upstairs landing. “Aunt Winnie, Grace is on Facetime. Come in and say hello.”
I thought about what Grace said as the two chatted. I’ll admit the thought of staying another few weeks has crossed my mind. I wonder how Max will feel about that. Not that he owns the town of Seaside, but still. We’ve been spending so much time together. Would he feel obligated for this to continue or would it just stop if I stayed longer?
“It was so nice talking to you. Good night.”
“Good night, Aunt Winnie.”
Thankfully I got out of my head long enough to hear that exchange. Aunt Winnie stood and squeezed my arm.
“I’m going out to dinner,” she said. “So I’ll see you later.”
I sat back behind the desk and said good night to Grace.
“Think about what I said,” she said.
“I will.”
“I’m serious.”
“So am I.”
It’s not like I have to make a decision tonight. I’m not scheduled to leave for another three weeks. Hopefully by then I’ll figure out what to do.
Max
“How was your day?”I asked after greeting Eve with a kiss.
“It was wonderful. I typed ‘The End’ on my manuscript.”
I picked her up and spun her around then set her down on the sand.
“That’s amazing.”
She placed her hand on her chest and looked up at me.
“You have no idea how relieved I feel. I was so stuck for so long…” She trailed off and shook her head. “I have to do a final read-through but after that, it’s off to my editor.”
“I’m so happy for you.”
I put my arm around her shoulders and pulled her close to kiss the top of her head, then held her hand as we walked down the beach toward my place. We have a couple things to talk about and I figured a quiet night in would be perfect for an important conversation. Normally I’d just pick her up, but tonight I suggested meeting on the beach and taking a slow stroll.
We talked about the book she’d just written and all the ones she’s published. When I looked her up online, I was impressed with her extensive catalog. I’m not much of a reader, but I do plan to read one of her books at some point.
“So what’s next?” I asked. “Will you take a break?”
“I’ll probably jump into the next book. You know, strike while the iron’s hot.”
As we approached the steps to my deck, Eve looked around.
“God I’ll miss this view,” she said.
I hadn’t planned on discussing this until we were sitting down to dinner. But I can”t ignore the fact that she just gave me the perfect opening.
“Not if you don’t leave.”
She looked at me, eyes wide.
“What do you mean?”
“Why don’t you stay a while longer?” She just blinked so I continued. “I’d love to spend more time with you.”
“Um…”
Her eyes shifted toward the ocean then back at me, but she didn’t say anything else. I pushed a few strands of hair that escaped her ponytail behind her ear.
“We can discuss it more after dinner.” I held out my hand. “Come on.”
Throughout dinnerwe talked about everything but her staying in Seaside. But once she was fed and relaxing in an Adirondack chair enjoying the view, I figured it was time to bring up the topic again.
“I could tell I shocked you by what I said before.”
“A little bit.”
“Have you thought about staying longer?”
“Sort of. I’ll admit the idea was in the back of my head, but I didn’t really seriously consider it until my daughter mentioned it on our Facetime call.”
“Is she for or against you staying?”
“Definitely for. She said Seaside has been good for me.”
“I agree,” I said with a smile. “So what are your thoughts on staying?”
“As long as Aunt Winnie doesn’t mind, I could stay.” She frowned. “Although, I guess I could get an Airbnb.”
“Or you could stay here.” Her eyes widened. “With me.”
She stared at me for several heartbeats.
“You’d want me to stay here with you?” I nodded. “Wow.”
“Is that a good wow?”
“It’s good. Surprised, but good.”
“Why surprised?”
“I don’t know. This was just supposed to be a summer thing and then–”
She shook her head. I waited for her to complete the sentence, but when she didn’t, I finished it with my own words.
“Then I fell in love with you.”
“You…”
“I fell in love with you.” I shifted off my chair to kneel in front of her. Taking her hands in mine, I looked her in the eye. “I love you Eve. Please say you’ll stay.”