10. Charli
CHARLI
There’s a momentary lull from our busy Sunday with the weekend warriors.
We’ve gotten through the breakfast rush and the late breakfast rush too.
My phone buzzes in my side pocket and I slip into the kitchen to check it, hoping it’s Gage.
The kitchen noises muffle as I slide my thumb up the screen, holding my breath waiting to see his name.
Gage: I had a great time last night.
My heart patters in my chest. I fire off the text at lightning speed, not thinking about how I sound.
Me: Me too.
He sends me a pic of the pristine harbor on Jensen Island.
I can be cool.
Me: Nice. Jensen for the day. Go try the chowder at The Rumrunner. So good.
I head into the back office so Oliver won’t catch me. Dancing with him was . . . who am I kidding, it was exhilarating. It was the boost I needed after seeing that woman hanging all over Tyler. Seeing Ty with someone else didn’t make me jealous, it made me mad. I wasted so much time.
Gage: I will. Thanks for the rec. ;) How do you feel today? Hangover?
Me: Honestly. I'm dragging a bit. Tried to hydrate and took ibuprofen last night before bed.
Gage: Smart. Rough start for me too. What are you doing today?
Pining over you.
Talking with him on the sofa seats was even better than the dancing, even if it was for a short time. It felt good to have someone ask me questions and care about what I had to say. I felt invisible with Tyler for so long.
Me: I’m working this morning, then we’re going for a sail with my grandparents.
Gage: Sounds fun. I’d love to see you again sometime.
This is happening. My heart thuds in my chest. I don’t know if I’m prepared for that. I haven’t been on a first date in years.
Me: Maybe we could go paddle-boarding. Do you have one?
Gage: No, but I’m sure there’s somewhere to rent one, right?
Me: Yes. I’ll take care of it. I’m off Tuesday if you want to go then. Bring water shoes too.
Gage: Can’t wait.
I barely know him, yet I can’t stop thinking about him. I’m less than a week away from breaking up with my ex — so classy.
Oliver knocks on the door to the office with some bacon. “Are you hiding out back here?”
“No,” I lie with confidence. “I’m checking some emails. What’s up?” I deflect and grab some bacon.
“Did you see Rooftop's Instagram page today? Looks like you're on it.”
“What?” I ask. My stomach drops. I was a little drunk last night.
“Slow dancing with that hot blonde guy you were mooning over yesterday.”
“Let me see.”
He passes me his phone and there we are.
“You look like two teenagers at the prom,” Oliver says with a touch of sarcasm.
“He’s really adorable though.” A dopey grin spreads across my face. “And I’ve got my eyes closed.” Of all the nights to be photographed for this page.
“So?”
I lean back against the office chair and try to keep my voice low. “We were just hanging out last night. Maybe it wasn’t a good idea, but we saw Tyler at the pub and he was talking to this woman, and I got jealous.” There’s no sense in hiding anything from him.
Oliver crosses his arms and stares at me, one eyebrow raised. “Let me get this straight, you broke up with Tyler, but he’s not allowed to talk to other women?”
I hang my head. Oliver can see right through me, that’s why he’s calling me on my bullshit. “They were flirting, not just talking.”
He snorts. “Stalking, now? So then you choose to slow dance with a younger guy.”
“What does age have to do with it, and how do you know he’s younger?” I hiss, feeling testy.
“Honestly? The complete lack of facial wrinkles,” he deadpans.
“You're impossible.” I roll my eyes.
He comes up to my side and puts an arm around me. “I’m the voice of reason. And you love me.”
Well, I can be friends with Gage, just friends. I will totally friend zone him. It’s too soon to date anyone new. I can’t start something with him. Am I even over Tyler? I need to schedule something with my counselor.
“What would I do without you?” I ask before I give him a hug.
“You would suffer immensely,” he answers.
The rest of the day goes smoothly. We pump out the lunches, drinks, and cookies for an endless line of tourists.
Our new special Mediterranean chicken wrap with hummus and veggies is a hit.
So many people are utilizing the on-line ordering system and Sonja is a pro at the front.
We have a slew of high schoolers beginning their training by working on the weekends until school is out for summer in a few weeks.
I feel slightly guilty leaving when the lunch rush is still strong, but they have it covered. I toss my things into my bag and give the team a wave as I walk out the back to the alley. It’s heating up already.
Later, I meet everyone at Mimi and Pop’s house so we can walk to the marina for our sail.
My grandparents keep their boat, Serenity, a restored 32 Herreshoff sloop, on a mooring they can view from their porch.
Pop did most of the work himself, and then had the Haven Bay Academy take on some things for a special project.
That’s the perks of being the head of school.
It’s a gorgeous vessel and I love going for family sails.
It reminds me of when Ian and I were kids.
Of course all my cousins, Andi and Sam and their siblings Kara and Brendan came too, but most of the time it was me and my brother, Ian.
Andi starts poking around the bags and unzips the one on the end. “Mimi, are we taking the launch from the fuel dock over to the boat?”
“Yes, but leave those things alone. You can all eat later when we’re underway,” Mimi answers as she bustles back into the house to grab her hat.
Maybe going shopping isn’t a bad idea. Even my grandmother has better style than I do, in her crisp white pants and striped top with matching boat shoes.
She returns with her hat on and shuts the door tightly. “Can one of you carry the supplies over?”
Andi groans as she lifts hers over her shoulder. “Mimi, what did you put in this bag?”
“Just some snacks for our sail. I picked up fresh lobsters from the fish market and some veggies for our dinner tonight. We’ll be all set to steam them up when we get back,” Mimi chirps.
“I can’t wait for that meal. We bought brownies for dessert when we were in Port City,” Sam says as she pats her belly.
We head down the steps with our bags to make the short walk to the marina. “Did you girls have any luck shopping there this morning?” Mimi asks.
“Yeah, we were telling Charli that you two should go for a girls’ day,” Andi says, elbowing me.
Mimi looks over at me brightly. “Honey, we can go sometime. Maybe get you some new outfits?”
I nod, fashion isn’t my thing. “Sure Mimi, that would be a fun afternoon.”
I like to be comfortable. I work full-time at the shop and then usually go to the gym or do something on the water when it’s nice out so I usually dress practically. I’m not sure what my style is. Maybe it’s time to find out.
There’s not a single parking spot to be had as we walk to the launch dock.
At least there’s a break from the heat as we get closer to the water.
Seagulls caw on the next dock over as two fisherman filet their catches and toss fish bits into the water below.
The hum of motors in the distance punctuates the conversation, still about shopping.
I scan the floating docks hoping I might catch a glimpse of blonde hair, but Gage’s probably not back yet from Jensen Island.
A teenager from the launch runs us over to the Serenity.
Pop is already aboard since he went out ahead of us in the dinghy to do his pre-sail checks.
We scoot through the water, the teen navigating around boats effortlessly.
We untie from the mooring and motor out of the harbor, passing the channel markers by the jetty.
Pop stays at the helm and directs us as he points the bow into the wind.
Andi moves forward closer to the mast to hoist the mainsail, putting her back into the last couple of feet as the wind hits the sail, the material flapping loudly.
The boom swings a bit side to side before I maneuver near Pop to cleat the halyard.
Sam is on the foredeck looking back at us, ready to raise the jib when Pop gives the signal.
“Now, Sam,” he calls into the wind. He adjusts his heading as we trim the sails. He smiles broadly at Mimi. “Still my best crew. I sure miss sailing with you girls.”
Once we’re underway, the three of us settle on the foredeck and lean back against the cabin. Serenity cuts through the water parallel to shore. We pass by the long expanse of the town beach, people still dotting the shoreline to savor every bit of sun. It’s heaven.
“Pop is right, I sure do miss this,” Sam says as she stares out at the bay.
Andi stretches out, crossing her feet at her ankles. “I thought you loved your high-powered life in Connecticut.”
Sam fiddles with her shorts. “I’ve been doing some soul searching since my breakup with Edward. I think that I’m going to make some changes if I don’t get this promotion.”
I lean in. “Like what?”
Sam smoothes her hands down her legs. “I might go out on my own.”
“Wow, really? That's so exciting,” Andi squeals and hugs Sam.
“It’s more pressure to be on your own, and there’s no one else to blame when there’s a problem. But I don't think that I want to work for anyone else besides myself again,” I add as I hug my knees to my chest.
I can’t imagine clocking in at some other restaurant. After years of growing up and having no say in what happens, working in my own café has been a dream come true. The Sweet Spot is my vision come to life.
Yes, I have employees who depend on me and there’s pressure to succeed, but I love what I do and my customers are the best. I guess part of it is that I’m in charge. The boss. The person who makes the decisions. It’s the one area of my life that I have full control over.
Maybe that’s what has contributed to the problems I’ve had in my love life, lack of control.