Eleven
ELISE
After Smith leaves, I shower and then wander towards the lobby in search of coffee. The rain’s cleared, leaving picture-perfect weather in its wake — warm and sunny, with a light breeze blowing off the ocean.
I could live here. The thought skitters through my mind and my chest opens wide, cool relief rushing through me. This might be the change I need, my kids need. Atlanta never felt like home to me anyway. Seaglass Beach could be a new beginning for us, the next chapter of my new life.
I text Nate:
Elise: How hard is it to change the custody terms? Thinking of moving to FL
Nate: What? Why?
Elise: It’s nice down here. And far away from Harry
Nate: I could get it done. With a move like that, your custody arrangement will need to change obviously.
Elise: Harry doesn’t give a shit about the kids. He’ll use this to manipulate the situation though
Nate: Let me know what you want to do and I’ll get it done.
Elise: Thanks. Could we get things worked out by the start of the school year?
Nate: 100%
Elise: Perfect. Thank you
Nate: FWIW — I always recommend clients not make any life-altering decisions in the first six months post-divorce.
I pause, inhaling a deep breath of the salty, humid air. Nate’s right. I’ve read, heard, and seen that advice. Yet here I am, thinking of making a huge move.
Gnawing at my bottom lip, I push away the self-doubt creeping in.
No. I’m doing this. Fuck Harry. Fuck my old life in Atlanta. Fuck our house together and all the memories there.
I need a fresh start. My kids need a fresh start.
This has nothing to do with Smith.
Fine. This might have a little to do with Smith. Or a lot.
But he makes me feel alive again, a feeling I didn’t even know I missed. Until now.
Elise: Thanks for the advice, but I want to move forward with this. LMK what info you need.
Nate: You’re the boss.
I smile down at my cell. Yes, I am the boss and it’s damn well time I get to make my own decisions for once.
Pushing through the double-glass doors, I float into the lobby, heading straight for the coffee station in the corner. I grab a paper cup and fill it almost to the brim with steaming dark roast before topping it with creamer.
Then I make my way over to the front desk. Since the kids will be joining me in a few days, I’m going to need to change rooms or get a rollaway.
Poppy’s not at the front desk this morning.
Instead, a burly man in a flannel shirt, jeans, and a cowboy hat sits behind the computer, tapping away.
I stand at the desk for a minute, two, then clear my throat.
He glances up at me, his eyes a shade darker than Poppy and Parker’s.
A day’s worth of dark beard shadows his square jaw, and up close I can see fine lines on his tanned face from spending time in the Florida sun.
“Can I help you?” he grumbles.
“I hope so. I’m staying in Bungalow Four through next weekend and need to add two children to my reservation.
My ex-husband is bringing them down on Thursday, and we might need a rollaway,” I explain, my stomach twisting in knots.
For some reason, this man unnerves me. He’s gruff and stand-offish, the complete opposite of warm and welcoming Poppy.
“The couch in there’s a foldout bed. You need extra pillows or blankets?”
“Sure, that would be great.”
He taps at the keyboard, seemingly making a note in the computer. “Done.”
“Thank you—” I glance at his nametag. “King.”
“Welcome.” He goes back to whatever he was doing without any further eye contact or acknowledgement of my presence.
Friendly guy.
“One more quick question —”
His hands freeze over the keyboard and he glances up at me again, his brow furrowed with aggravation. He stays silent and I babble on.
“Is it spring break for the schools here now? I’m thinking of enrolling my children for next school year, but want to take a tour of the local elementary school.”
King shrugs. “I think the local spring break is over, but I don’t have kids. Check the district website.”
I lick my lips, my throat now dry. “Okay, I’ll do that.”
“Hey, y’all, good morning!” Poppy breezes in, knocking King with her hip and bumping him out of the seat. I hold in my giggle as he scowls at her.
“Morning. Payroll’s done,” King says, rising.
I’m surprised by his height now that he’s standing. He’s easily taller than six foot and so broad Poppy would be invisible if she stood behind him.
“Thanks, big brother. You’re the best.” Poppy grins at him, blowing him a kiss, and now I see the resemblance between them. Similar eyes, although his are darker and more serious, and they have the same nose and high cheekbones.
“We really need to hire someone to keep the books. I don’t have time to run two businesses,” King says, his tone sharp.
“Noted!” Poppy chirps, still smiling. She’s clearly used to his surly demeanor.
“Have a nice day.” King tips his hat at me and sidles out of the lobby, his cowboy boots clicking on the tile floor.
“Hope my grumpy big brother didn’t give you too hard of a time,” Poppy says, twirling a lock of her honey-colored hair in her fingers.
“He was fine. Listen, do you know if school’s in session right now?” I ask.
“Pretty sure it is. Why?”
“I’m thinking of moving down and want to take a tour of the elementary school.”
“Great. Hang on, I’ll check for you.” Poppy taps at the computer and three minutes later, I have the school schedule, a map, and written directions in hand.
“Thanks so much, Poppy, this is wonderful,” I say, beaming at her with gratitude.
“No problem. The principal’s really nice over there, I’m sure you’ll love it.”
“Perfect. Thanks again.” I shoot her a wave and head to the parking lot, more convinced than ever I’m making the right decision.
“What? They offered you a job?” Kat shrieks down the line.
“Mm-hmm,” I murmur, staring out at the ocean from my patio.
“So, what are you going to do? You’re really going to move down there?”
I shrug, even though she can’t see me through the phone. “Not sure. But it could be good for me and the kids. A nice change of pace, a fresh start. I loved teaching, and I’ll be able to be with the kids, help them transition to the new school.”
Kat sighs. “I want to disagree with you, Elise, because selfishly, you know I’m going to miss you. But this could be perfect for you. And I hate it.” Kat’s voice breaks and tears well in my eyes. I pinch the bridge of my nose, willing myself not to cry.
“I know. But I don’t want to be in Atlanta anymore. Not with Harry there. Speaking of—did you know he’s bringing the kids down on Thursday?”
“Shut the fuck up,” Kat says, her voice incredulous. “You’ve gotta be kidding me. He can’t even handle them for a week?”
“Nope. Says he has a business trip.”
“Uh-huh. That’s what we’re calling it these days?”
“My thoughts exactly. It’s fine, though. The kids can check out Seaglass, meet some people.”
“Hold up. Meet people? Who are you talking about, Elise? And don’t you dare hold out on me. I’m fragile right now.”
“Um…” I hedge, bouncing my leg up and down.
“Ohmygosh, you met someone, didn’t you? I knew it!” Kat cries, her voice so loud it vibrates my cell against my ear.
“Maybe…”
“Spill right the fuck now, Elise! Is he hot? Does he have kids?”
“Yes, he’s very hot. Gorgeous. And no kids.” Because he’s practically a kid himself.
“And? I’m sensing a but here…”
“He’s young.”
“How young we talking here?”
“Thirty,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper.
“That’s not that young, Elise. Only ten years. No big deal.”
“Says the person married to someone age appropriate.”
“Fuck appropriate. I’d love a spin with a young buck. Is he amazing in bed?”
“Kat!” I cry, my cheeks burning.
“What? I want to know the details.”
“Yes, he is. But don’t mention that to anyone. And he’s super sweet, and handy.”
“Handy, huh? Ohmygawd, Elise, you’re hooking up with the contractor!”
I blush even harder, a hot flush creeping up my chest. “I prefer to call it dating, but yes. And his name is Smith.”
“Oh, Smith. Hot name, too. Damn, I’m so jealous right now. When can I meet him?”
I giggle, relief rushing through me at her response. I knew Kat would understand.
“Soon, I hope. But obviously it’s early days, so I’m trying to take it slow.”
“You’re moving for the guy. That doesn’t say ‘slow’ to me,” Kat clucks.
“No, I’m moving for the change of scenery and a fresh start. Smith just happens to live here.”
“Convenient. I love it for you, though. But Elise?”
“Yeah?”
“Proceed with caution. Not that this Smith guy isn’t a great dude, but you just got out of a long relationship with Harry. All I’m saying is don’t do anything crazy.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t. Promise.”