Chapter 18
Tori’s annoyance was starting to move from a rolling boil to a simmer. Maybe.
Gavin and his opinions and attitude were too much to take sometimes. She yanked open the desk drawer and grabbed a pen, contemplating throwing it across the room in frustration. Instead, she dropped it on the desk, and it clattered and rolled across the surface.
She grabbed her purse, pulled out a key, and unlocked the bottom desk drawer. She took the pendant out and stared at it, wondering what secrets it held. Why had someone hidden it in the dressing-table drawer? Her desk lamp caught one of the diamonds just right and it sparkled in appreciation, as if glad to be out of its hiding place and out in the world again.
She slipped the chain around her neck and fastened it, fingering the pendant as it rested on her chest. Who wore this before her?
“Hi.” Gavin’s voice startled her. Again. Why did he always do that?
He moved through the door with tentative steps.
“What do you want?” She knew her voice sounded impatient and annoyed because… well, she was impatient and annoyed with him.
He crossed over and stood at the other side of the desk, staring at the pendant for a moment before raising his eyes to hers. “I just came to… to apologize.”
“Really?”
“Yes, I’m afraid I overreacted.”
“You think?” She rolled her eyes.
“I just didn’t want to talk to anyone from the press.” He shifted his weight from foot to foot.
“You made yourself perfectly clear.”
“I’m sorry I jumped to conclusions.”
A look of contrition hovered in his eyes.
But this time, she wasn’t buying it. Wasn’t willing to be appeased. It still stung deeply that he’d accused her of doing this all for some kind of attention. Personal attention was the last thing in the world she wanted. Did he not know her at all after all this time working together?
She glared at him, anger simmering just below the surface. Did he think a half apology would change anything? “Gavin, you’re impossible to be around. You’re hot and cold. Caring and icy. You’re always pressing your opinions on me. Telling me what I should or shouldn’t do. And I frankly don’t have the energy to deal with your moods anymore. I have things that need to be done. The grand opening is near. I can’t waste time worrying or dealing with your ever-changing moods.”
“I really am sorry.” His words were soft and sincere.
“Fine. I accept your apology.” Though she really didn’t. His words still stung. Deeply. Like he’d accused her of being some kind of diva. The furthest thing in the world from who she was now.
“So things are… okay? Between us, I mean?” His expression looked hopeful.
“Sure. We can be colleagues. But only because Miss Eleanor insisted. Once the theater is up and running, I hope… I hope you can just stay far away from me.”
Hurt flickered in his eyes and just as quickly disappeared. “If that’s what you want.”
“It is.” She nodded firmly, steeling her resolve.
He stared at her for a long moment, then turned and disappeared out the door. Her triumph for taking a stand was short-lived as his footsteps echoed down the hall. She slumped in her chair. But she’d done the right thing by sending him away. Now maybe he’d leave her in peace to get the theater up and going. He could go back to his bike shop and annoy people there. Sit by himself and brood at the counter at Sharky’s.
She didn’t need his help. Didn’t want it.
Still, she sat at her desk, fingering the pendant and staring at the empty doorway.
Tori saw no sign of Gavin for days. Which was exactly what she wanted, right? The question echoed through her mind. Growing more uncertain with each repetition. Was it really what she wanted? She did catch herself thinking she needed to tell him this or ask him that as the days went on. His absence had opened up a void she hadn’t known existed.
But it was better this way, she tried to convince herself. She didn’t have to worry about what kind of mood he’d be in. Or listen to his opinions. Or be accused of something she hadn’t done. Still, the theater felt empty without him.
She grabbed her bike and headed over to Coastal Coffee for breakfast before going into work. She found herself in need of company. She’d been used to the workers, and then Gavin always being around at the theater. Now, the emptiness clung to every aisle, every seat in the vast theater.
Dress rehearsals began next week, and the theater would once again be alive with activity, but this week had been filled with unwelcome silence and a loneliness she couldn’t shake.
She pushed into the cafe, and the welcome aroma of fresh coffee and baked goods surrounded her like a friendly embrace. The murmur of voices and clatter of ceramic cups were a sharp contrast to the silence of the theater and a mocking reminder of her solitude.
Beverly waved to her as she took a table and soon came over with a pot of coffee. “Coffee, yes?”
“Yes, please.” She moved her cup closer to Beverly.
“You haven’t been in here for a bit.” Beverly’s eyes held a hint of concern.
A concern that warmed Tori’s heart. She was making friends here on Magnolia, ones who noticed when she wasn’t around. It made her feel more like she was becoming a part of the town. “I’ve just been busy with the theater.”
“I saw the posters up. I’ve bought my ticket for opening night.”
Pride swelled through her. “You did?” A surge of gratitude swept through her at her friend’s support.
“Of course. Wouldn’t miss it. Gavin has been in here and just about every other business in town putting up posters.”
Miss Eleanor approached the table, joining their conversation. “Yes, Gavin has been busy promoting the theater.”
“He has?” She couldn’t hide her surprise.
“Yes. He seems pretty proud of all you’ve accomplished.” Miss Eleanor gave a brief bob of her head.
She doubted that. “I’m surprised he’s putting out the posters. We had a bit of an… argument. I did an interview with a reporter about the theater and how it was opening again. Gavin accused me of seeking the limelight. Wanting attention. Said I shouldn’t talk to the reporter. That I’d regret it, which really makes no sense. But honestly, I just wanted some free publicity for the theater. He was totally overreacting. And his accusation—it—it hurt.”
Miss Eleanor tilted her head. “And did he apologize?”
“He tried to, but I didn’t really listen to him. He’s moody and I never know which Gavin I’m going to see. The nice, helpful one or the grumpy, opinionated one. I just wanted to be left alone to finish everything that needs to be done before the opening.”
“Gavin is a good man. He’s just had some trouble in his life with the media.” Eleanor motioned to an empty chair. “Do you mind?”
“Please, take a seat.”
“Gavin is… not a fan of anyone in the media. Reporters, magazines, papers. He… ah…” Beverly set down the coffeepot on the table. “Gavin had a rough time with the press here in Magnolia.”
“What happened?” She frowned.
“He made some remarks about the lighthouse when a reporter came to cover the renovations. They twisted what he said. They twisted it into saying he was against the restoration and against tourism and growth of the town. A lot of the townsfolk shunned him.” Beverly shrugged. “So he has a healthy distrust of the media.”
Miss Eleanor frowned in disapproval. “I stood up for him, though. That article was pure rubbish. Gavin loves the town and is totally invested in preserving its heritage along with making sure the town still thrives.” She defended him staunchly.
“I guess I can see how that would make him distrust the media. It’s too bad his words were twisted like that.”
Eleanor nodded emphatically. “Indeed. I defended him. Even wrote a letter to the editor. But the damage was done, and it took a long time for some of the townspeople to come around.”
“Gavin is a proud man, and he hasn’t quite forgiven the media for what they did,” Beverly added.
Miss Eleanor nodded and continued, “And I’ll not talk out of turn, but he had another run-in with them when he lived in Los Angeles. He has good reason not to trust them.”
Guilt crept through her at how she’d shut down his apology and thrown him out of the theater. The theater where he’d been such a help with the restorations.
Now, after hearing Miss Eleanor and Beverly’s truth about Gavin’s past, she saw his actions in a new light. “I didn’t know any of this.”
“Now you do,” Miss Eleanor said as she rose from her seat. “So what are you going to do about it?”
“I’m not sure.”
“You’ll go talk to him.” It was more of a command than a suggestion. “Just don’t let him shut you out.” Miss Eleanor turned and headed over to her regular table.
Beverly picked up the coffeepot. “He’s a good man, and I’m sure he didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. To accuse you of looking for accolades or anything like that. He’s just…”
“Distrustful of the media. I see that now.” She owed him an apology, at the very least. Maybe she could even salvage some of their friendship.
Beverly gave her a warm smile. “I hope you two can work things out.”
“I do too.” And she realized she really meant it. She’d missed Gavin since their argument. She missed sharing her day with him. Telling him what was going on at the theater. Their meals at Sharky’s. All of it.