Chapter 6
MAX
I’ve been in this town for all of two nights and already feel way more comfortable than I have in years. Decades, even.
Maybe it’s that no one has my phone number, so I don’t have the typical stressors in my life. Or that being here is nothing like living in New York.
As much as I thought Aiden was crazy for wanting us to purchase buildings here, I can see what he means by loving this place. I probably should’ve come sooner. Much, much sooner.
Is it a five-star resort? No, but it’s got charm and a lot of active people. People who keep surprising me.
Brock and Chloe are great, letting me know the B&B schedule is flexible for the next week or two and then things will be booked up. Not that I’ll be here that long. Then again, I don’t know. I just want to keep this feeling a little longer.
I slept well the past two nights considering I didn’t have all my extra help to get to sleep.
I only packed clothes and my computer—out of habit—leaving the melatonin, sound machine, and all the other tips and tricks that usually help me get to sleep back in my penthouse.
If all I needed was a night next to the ocean to feel more rested than I’ve felt in ten years, I know I’ve been way overstressed.
Breakfast is delicious and fills an entire table.
I didn’t connect the breakfast part of the B&B, but I’m grateful for the food here.
I sit down with a plate in front of me at the community table and pull out my phone.
Most of the apps I typically check aren’t there, which is a good thing, but it also makes me twitchy.
Well-rested and forty-eight hours away from the chaos, and I’m not sure what to do with myself.
What does my gut currently tell me? That I should run away from Victoria and never look back.
But is it because I’m rebelling against what my parents are demanding of me? Or because a marriage to her would be the exact replica of my parents’ relationship?
A woman interrupts my thoughts as she walks into the room with a fresh jug of orange juice and a bright smile.
“Good morning. I didn’t get a chance to introduce myself yesterday. I’m Chloe, Brock’s wife. How did you sleep?”
“I’m Max, and I slept very well, thank you.”
“Perfect. Let me know if you need anything. Do you have plans in town today?”
I open my mouth to speak and then close it, realizing my day is completely open. I don’t think that’s happened since 2005.
Shaking my head no, I ask, “Do you have any recommendations? First timer, here. I already walked along the beach yesterday and visited the lighthouse.”
She smiles again. “Not a problem. Let me get out my notes so I know what’s open right now. Many businesses are getting ready for The Season, so they might not be open for customers yet.”
I tip my head back, intrigued by this information. Avery mentioned something about The Season, and now Chloe. It’s like it’s a hurricane they’re preparing for.
Chloe comes back in less than a minute and thumbs through a small notebook. “Okay, it looks like the museum is open, along with the marina. You can hire a boat to go out on the water to fish, if that’s something you’d be interested in?”
“I haven’t been fishing in sixteen years,” I say, chuckling a bit. When I say it like that, I sound like I’m some old guy reminiscing on the good old days. But working as much as I have has taken away a lot of the normal, leisurely pursuits in my life.
“Levi owns the marina and is a great source for all things water. Then there’s a bike shop up the road that rents out beach bikes. We have trails throughout town that guide you, and you can walk or run along the water. And there are always the touristy stores.”
I offer a quick smile, taking a sip of my coffee. I’m not sure I’m up for any of those. Exhaustion weighs my body down, but it could be residual from the years of pushing it past the brink.
“You can always call the rideshare if you don’t want to drive somewhere. Let me see the number for the new gal.” Chloe flips a few pages, waiting a few seconds before scanning another.
“New girl as in Avery?” I ask.
Chloe looks up at me with a grin. “You’ve met?”
“She helped me when I first got to town.” And I keep thinking about her, in a friendly way. I’m more than curious about her since she turned down my tip.
“She’s awesome. She stayed here for a bit with her sister and niece while her apartment was being finished. They sold the house before everything was ready. A lot of heartache in that family,” Chloe says, the corners of her lips turned down.
“What happened?”
“Her brother-in-law passed away from cancer about a year ago, and then Avery moved here to help take care of Lila while Avery’s sister, Cora, works. They tried a lot of the newer medicines and treatments for him, and I think they’re trying to dig out of debt now.”
That hits me even harder to think Avery could’ve used the money and still turned me down. Maybe I’ve only ever met people who take full advantage of a situation.
When I would go out with a group of friends in New York, it was expected that I pay. “We’d never order the good wine if you weren’t willing to foot the bill,” they’d say. I haven’t seen or heard from any of them in a year, since the time I paid for my food and left early.
My last ex-girlfriend loved the idea of showing off my penthouse more than our relationship.
There are so many more instances. My circle of trusted friends has significantly decreased over the past few years, but I want people who want me to be there, and not look at me like a walking opportunity for what they can get for free.
Now, I want to know Avery’s motivation.
“I’ll walk around town and get my bearings,” I say, giving Chloe a small smile.
“That sounds good,” she says. “Let me know if you need any lunch or dinner recommendations.”
“Thank you. I’m sure I will while I’m here.”
Chloe walks away, then stops and turns back to me. “What brings you to Penrose Beach, anyway?” She must see something on my face because she quickly adds, “Sorry. I just get a little curious sometimes. Brock is always telling me I overstep.”
“No, no, you’re fine. Really. I just needed a break, to be honest, and figured I’d do some work by the beach.”
Chloe grins. “That’s probably the best idea you’ve had all year. Not that I’ve known you that long,” she adds with a chuckle.
I can’t help but laugh along with her. “From my lowered heart rate, I think it’s a good thing too.”
“The Sea Glass Spa down the road has some good packages for health and wellness. Massages, wraps, and more.” Her eyes go wide. “I sound like I’m trying to come up with a jingle for their company.”
“It wasn’t a bad one,” I say, grinning. “Maybe they’ll need it for a new ad.”
“Well, I’ll leave you to it,” she says, grabbing a dirty dish and taking it to the kitchen.
I finish the small pastry on my plate and decide to head back up to my room. I’d already changed into slacks and a button-up shirt, which seems extreme for the sand and sun outside. It’s difficult for me to relax, so I might as well try while I’m not in a work setting.
It doesn’t take me long to change into a pair of cargo shorts and a T-shirt that I haven’t worn in quite some time—I’m surprised I packed it at all.
Then I walk out the front door of the bed-and-breakfast and hesitate on the porch.
There are so many things hitting my senses right now—from the wind to the smell of the ocean to the colorful mural in front of me. I’m surprised by the simplicity of it, but also by the beauty of the landscape.
Should I go right or left? I’m not sure which direction to take. Not having a defined purpose is like a glitch in my brain.
I’d slept in yesterday and kind of hung out in the room for a good part of it, that is until I walked out and saw Avery walking to the school. I wonder what happened with that?
Back to thinking about her again. For someone I’ve met twice for less than thirty minutes combined, she’s occupying a lot of my thoughts.
I take a left once I reach the main sidewalk, and I’m immediately struck by the beauty.
The houses nearby have lots of flowers already planted, and the small front lawns are a bright green.
Then again, I’m coming from a very late winter in the Northeast, where everything is white and gray.
Maybe that’s why the color is a shock to my senses.
There’s a diner to the right and several townhomes that appear to be actual residences. I wonder if they’re lived in year-round or used as rentals once the busy season hits. Each one is unique, with different siding, colors, and roofing, all adding to the charming nature of the town.
As I walk farther down, though, it seems like this part hasn’t been updated. Not quite abandoned, but limping along with peeling paint and various holes in the exteriors.
Once I pass through, I recognize the area across the road—the marina. It looks fairly nice, with a brand-new sign on the side of the building. Beyond it stretches out the sea.
I keep walking and find myself in front of a shop with reflective glass, showing my reflection instead of what’s inside. I glance up at the small sign, which is hard to see even standing below it.
Harbor and Hand? No, Harbor is below the other word. What did Avery say when she picked me up? Something about a harbor place I could visit her.
I’m not sure what makes me reach out for the handle and pull it open.
The smell of coffee hits me full force, and I glance around to see that this is a coffee shop. There are a few booths and tables spread throughout, but I never would’ve guessed it was a coffee shop from the outside.
There’s someone in front of me at the counter. Behind him, I see Avery. Her focus is on the man in front of her.
“Earl, I know you said you wanted an iced coffee. Remember, I gave you one yesterday, and I saw your face when you took a drink of it. Blueberry isn’t your thing,” she says.
The man’s shoulders slump. “Well, I wanted to have something in common with Laura Lynn.”