Chapter 12 #2
She thought the resort would be a safe subject and said, “I was really impressed by Tidewater. It’s obviously a place none of us will be staying at, but it’s a thoughtful design.
I enjoyed seeing how Sullivan’s dream on paper became a reality.
He told me it’s the first beach resort he’s been commissioned to create. ”
“Sullivan told Carson that he would put us on the list to give feedback to the Tidewater staff. That we could stay in a room for a night. Eat at a restaurant or two. Test out the pool. Be guinea pig guests.”
“I’m going to do the same,” Piper said enthusiastically. “It’ll be fun to see how the other half lives.”
“Keaton hasn’t mentioned anything,” Layne said.
“Maybe because you’ll be on your honeymoon,” she said.
“That’s true. I’ll take being on a romantic honeymoon with my hot husband any day.”
“Where are you going?” Kylie asked.
They talked for a few minutes about the cities in Italy and France which the newlyweds would visit before the kitchen timer sounded.
“Time to eat,” Layne said brightly, and the three of them followed her into the large kitchen.
Mila worked on refilling glasses and getting everyone iced tea or water, while Kylie opened chips and stirred the Rotel heating in its small crockpot. Piper retrieved plates and set the table. Within minutes, they were seated, talking over old times in high school.
Then Kylie said, “Catch me up on what all of you have been doing. It’s been years since I’ve seen any of you.”
“I’ll go first,” Mila said. “I played volleyball in college and have been coaching it ever since. I came back to the Bay and am really proud of the competitive program I’ve built at the high school.
I fell head over heels for our new basketball coach, who also is the district’s athletic district.
We got married right before Thanksgiving, and I’m a stepmom to Lily, his daughter. ”
“Was that hard?” Kylie asked. “Becoming an instant mom?”
“I thought it would be, but Lily is such a sweet girl. Her mom was killed several years ago, and she doesn’t really remember her. Carson and I have decided to let her call me Mommy, but we’ll always talk about her mom.”
“My turn,” Layne said. “I worked in Dallas for a small company after graduating from college. I designed an app which put us on the map. It turned the company into an overnight success, and they were bought out by a larger competitor who didn’t want me around anymore.”
“That’s awful,” Kylie said.
“I thought so at the time, but I got a sweetheart package to walk away.” A shadow darkened Layne’s face.
“At the same time, I found out about my parents’ deaths.
I returned to the Bay, my future up in the air.
I worked on renovating the Bay Breeze because it needed a complete makeover.
Coming back to my hometown gave me the chance to find Keaton.
” She smiled. “I wasn’t looking for a relationship, much less anything permanent, but I now finally believe in the idea of soulmates—because Keaton is definitely mine. ”
Layne waved her hand around. “Keaton had just bought this house. I moved in, and now we’re getting married, as I mentioned. You need to come to the ceremony, Kylie.”
“No, I don’t want to crash your wedding.”
“It’s very casual. We’re holding it at the house. Actually, the ceremony will be on the beach right outside. You’re more than welcomed to come.” She named the day, and Kylie shook her head.
“It’s a sweet invitation, Layne, but I have a charter that day. I do wish you and Keaton all the best, though.” Kylie turned her gaze on Piper. “What’s your story?”
“These two earned their college degrees, but I left college after a couple of years to pursue a career in the theater. I’ve been in touring productions of various musicals for the last decade. Worked my way up from chorus to the lead.”
“You definitely had the voice for it. Why would you come back to the Bay if you’re so successful?” Kylie asked.
Piper grew thoughtful. “Life on the road gets old, Kylie. You travel to different cities but never see much of them because of the shows you’re performing in.
You live out of a suitcase. Friends and lovers come and go as one production ends and you wind up in another one with an entirely different group of people. ”
She shrugged. “I’m thirty now. My two best friends came back to the Bay.
I missed them. My parents. A stable, steady kind of life.
I’m grateful for all the success I’ve experienced, but I want to be able to have a permanent address.
Go to my own closet and pick out an outfit for the day.
Head to the mailbox to get my bills. Sit in front of the TV and watched the new streaming show everyone’s talking about. ”
Piper swallowed. “And I really want to find someone to share my life with,” she said quietly.
“I really don’t know what awaits me here in the Bay.
Layne has generously given me a job, and I’ll be managing the Bay Breeze Inn at least until Labor Day.
After that? I don’t know what I want to do—or who I want to do it with. ”
That was the only statement Piper misspoke. More than anything, she wanted to share her life with Sullivan, but that would be impossible. Tears formed in her eyes, and she quickly brushed them away as they began to fall.
Kylie put an arm around Piper. “What’s wrong?”
She began crying. “I may not have found what I want to do—but I have found who I want to do it with—and it’ll never happen.”
“It’s Sullivan, isn’t it?” Layne asked quietly.
Piper nodded. “We both went into it knowing he would wrap things up at Tidewater soon and head back to New York and his next project, but the feelings I have for him aren’t like anything I’ve ever experienced.”
“Does he feel the same way?” Mila asked, her own eyes misting in tears. “Is there a possibility that you could go back to New York with him?”
She shook her head sadly. “I know he cares for me, but I don’t want a life in New York, Mila. I want one right here in Driftwood Bay.
“And that means that things with Sullivan will have to come to an end. Sooner or later.”