Chapter 20 #2
“Taking the job and being miserable. Or turning it down and regretting it. Either way, I lose something.”
I wanted to tell her exactly what to do. To beg her not to take it. But I couldn’t. This had to be her choice.
“What do you think? For real.” Lila looked me directly in the eyes. “I want to know.”
“Honestly?” I asked.
“Please.”
“I’m scared too. I’m scared to lose you to that world.
It was so ugly. These last weeks. Those awful photographers waiting in the driveway.
You tossing and turning all night. Feeling like a chased animal.
” I stopped. “I’m not trying to pressure you.
I’m just being honest. I don’t think it’s what you really want. And I sure as heck don’t.”
“It’s not what I want.”
“Then why are you even considering it?” I asked.
“Because I don’t want to be the woman who gave up her dreams for a man.”
That felt like a stab right in the heart. I drew in a deep breath. “Is that what this is? Your dream?”
She looked at me, tears spilling over. “I don’t know anymore.
I thought it was. When I first got the call about the show, I was so excited.
It felt like validation. Like proof that I’d made it.
But now …” She shook her head. “Now I just feel exhausted. Used. Like they took something from me I can’t get back. ”
“You can get it back,” I said. “Without all the pressure, you’ll bounce back to who you really are.”
She pressed her hands to her face, shoulders shaking.
I slid out of my side of the booth and moved to sit beside her, pulling her against me. She collapsed into my chest, crying quietly.
“I’ve been gone so much this summer,” she said through her tears.
“Filming, meetings, trying to keep up with everything. And Mia—she’s been so understanding.
So patient. But I’ve missed things. That day you took the girls to Wrenport, for example.
I would’ve enjoyed that so much. Instead, I was here fighting for the truth.
I’ve not been to the beach once this summer.
I haven’t even had time to see my friends.
And I can’t get any of those days back.”
“No,” I agreed quietly. “You can’t.”
“Four more years,” she whispered. “That’s all I have before Mia goes to college. Before she starts her own life and doesn’t need me the same way. Four years. And Margot. She needs me. Here. Steady. Not focused on myself—like Nicole did.”
I held her tighter, feeling her work through it.
After a long moment, she pulled back, wiping her eyes.
“I can’t do it,” she said. “I can’t miss that. I can’t trade Mia’s last years at home—for what? Fame? I can’t let Margot down. Or you. Not for a TV show. Even a good one. Even one on my terms. I just … I can’t.”
Relief flooded through me, but I kept my voice steady. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure. I don’t want to spend the next four years wondering what my daughter’s doing without me.
I don’t want to build a career at the expense of the people I love most.” Her voice steadied.
“When I imagine my future, the one that makes me happy isn’t the one with cameras and crew and constant travel.
It’s the one with you. And the girls. And quiet evenings and good work and a life I actually want to live. ”
I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. “Then that’s your answer.”
“It is, isn’t it?” She wiped her eyes, a small smile breaking through. “God, I’m such a mess.”
“You’re human. You’re allowed to be torn.”
“But I’m not torn anymore.” She looked at me, a peace settling in her expression. “I’m going to turn it down.”
“You’re absolutely sure?”
“I’m sure.” She took a shaky breath. “I need to tell Mia first, though. Before I email Ethan. She should hear it from me.”
“She’ll understand.”
“I hope so.”
I kissed her forehead. “Let’s go home.”
She nodded, sliding out of the booth. I left cash on the table—more than enough to cover the untouched fries—and followed her out into the afternoon sun.
In the parking lot, she stopped and turned to face me.
“Thank you,” she said.
“For what?”
“For not pushing. For not putting your own desires before mine. That’s love, Vance Prescott.”
“I’m so in love with you, it makes me feel dizzy.” I cupped her face in my hands. “The thought of being away from you for an hour, let alone weeks, is unbearable. Whatever you chose, I was going to support you. But I’m not going to lie—I’m relieved.”
“Me too.” She kissed me, soft and certain. “Let’s go home. Talk to the girls. Email Ethan.”
We drove back through Willet Cove, her hand in mine, and I found myself seeing the town through completely different eyes than I had as a restless eighteen-year-old desperate to escape.
Back then, I'd thought this place was too small, too predictable.
I'd wanted Paris, London, anywhere that felt bigger than the life my mother had built here.
And I'd gotten what I wanted. A glamorous job in Paris.
Traveling the world. Falling in love with my baby girl.
Losing her. Making the choice to come home, with my hope for a reconciliation with Margot the most important thing I packed into moving boxes.
Growing from each experience. All of it making me into the man I was now.
Now, driving down Main Street with Lila beside me, I saw what I'd been too young to appreciate. A sleepy little town perfect for raising a family.
We passed the old bank building where Gillian's dance studio occupied the second floor. I could already picture Margot in ballet shoes, excited for her first recital, Lila, Mia, and me in the front row cheering too loud. Rainy Sunday mornings browsing the shelves in Dorian’s bookstore, each of us choosing a book to take home.
Taking home a bag of bagels from the bakery to eat while we read by the fire.
Delphine’s gallery doors were open this afternoon, inviting people in to see beauty hanging on the walls and in glass cases. Lila and I would choose art together for the house we would share. My childhood home, transformed for this new season in my life.
I glanced at Esme's flower shop, color spilling onto the sidewalk. How many bouquets would I get for Lila over the years? And the girls too. Graduations and proms and sweet sixteen birthday parties.
The ocean stretched beside us, constant and unchanging, and I felt the spirits of my family who had made this their home for three generations. Perhaps they’d called me home and brought my little girl back to me. And given me the idea to go on a dating app where the woman of my dreams awaited.
A town was just a town. But it was the people who made it a home.
This quiet certainty, this partnership, this life we were creating together far exceeded any TV deal, or European city, or prestigious job. Family was the grandest adventure of them all.
When we pulled into the driveway, Esme’s SUV was already parked in front of the house.
Lila squeezed my hand. “I can’t wait to tell them everything.”
We walked in together, and Esme looked up from where she was loading beach towels into a bag. The French doors to the terrace were open. The girls were eating apple slices and peanut butter with Robbie and Madison, all of them still in their swimsuits.
Esme, wearing a pair of overalls shorts, and her hair in a ponytail, greeted us. “How did it go?”
“Good,” Lila said. “Really good, actually.”
Lila told her quickly what had transpired. “And I’m turning it down.”
Esme clasped her hands in front of her chest. “Oh, Lila, are you sure?”
“I couldn’t be more sure,” Lila said.
Esme’s smile was knowing. “I’m glad. I’ve missed you this summer.
” She zipped up the bag. “Girls were angels. Fed them lunch, wore them out completely. They should sleep well tonight.” She called out to Robbie and Madison that it was time to go and to meet her in the car.
She looked back at us. “They’re really sandy. That’s why they’re outside.”
“Thank you,” Lila said. “For everything today.”
“Anytime.” Esme paused at the door, looking between us. “I’m really happy for you two. I’d hug you but I’m sticky with sand and sunscreen.”
“You can hug us at our next group dinner,” Lila said.
“See you soon then.” Esme blew a kiss and headed out.
After she left, Lila stood in the entryway for a moment, a pensive expression in her eyes.
“Mom?” Mia called from just outside the patio. “Can we come in? Esme said we were too sandy to dirty up your perfect house.”
“I can take care of that,” I said, heading out to the patio. “Okay, girls, stand over there by the roses and I’ll hose you off.”
They protested, but I turned on the water anyway. As I sprayed them, they squealed with laughter, holding onto each other as if the water would make them float away.
Lila came out with clean towels, wrapping one around each of them, hugging them at the same time.
“Let’s sit for a minute,” Lila said to them, gesturing toward the outside table. “I need to talk to you both about something.”
Margot’s eyes went wide. “Are we in trouble?”
“No, baby,” I said quickly. “Nothing like that.”
They looked at Lila, waiting.
“The network fired Beau and Kenzie,” Lila said, before telling them the whole story, simplified for the girls.
“That lady was just out for revenge?” Mia said. “What a total psycho.”
“Yes, she’s not well,” Lila said. “And we should all keep her in our prayers.”
“But why?” Margot asked. “She’s our enemy.”
“Because we have to be bigger than that,” Lila said. “And anyway, we won the battle.”
“What happens now?” Mia asked. “Will you get a new contractor?”
“Actually, no.” Lila splayed her hands on the tabletop. “They made me an offer—for me to stay on the show, with a new partner and producer. “But I’m turning it down.”
“How come?” Mia asked carefully. “It was so much money. And you worked so hard.”
“I did. There are several reasons. First off, I didn’t like all the headache that came with the job.
The public scrutiny. People knowing our business.
I can still do design work, just without cameras.
And mostly because I don’t want to miss the rest of your childhood.
Either of you.” Lila looked between them.
“Four more years until you’re off to college, Mia.
And Margot, you’ve just come into my life, and I want very badly to be your mother.
One who is around for all of the wonderful things you’ll be doing before you’re grown up.
I don’t want to be gone for any of that.
I don’t want to look back and realize I chose fame over being here. With you. With all of us.”
Mia launched herself into Lila’s arms. “I’m so glad. I’ve been so worried about all of this.”
“I know, baby.”
“Are you sure?” Mia pulled back. “You’re not going to regret it?”
“I’m completely sure. This is what I want. You. Home. Our life exactly as it is.”
Margot was watching quietly.
“Margot?” Lila reached for her, pulling her onto her lap. “Are you okay?”
“You want to be my mom?” Margot’s voice was so small and timid. “For real?”
“For real.”
“But what if you change your mind?” Margot asked. “What if you decide I’m too much trouble or … too loud … or in the way.”
“Never.” Lila cupped her face. “You could never be any of those things. I want to be here. For every dance recital. Every school event. Every ordinary Tuesday afternoon. I want all of it. With you and Mia and your Papa. That’s my choice.”
Margot threw her arms around Lila’s neck. “I’ll be good. I won’t get in the way.”
Lila drew back slightly to look Margot in the eyes.
“Listen to me, baby girl. Very carefully. You are to take up space in this world. You will be as loud as you want to be. Demand attention. Show everyone how spectacular you are. My daughters don’t sit in the back of the bus or make themselves small. Do you hear me? Do you understand?”
Margot shook her head. “Not really.”
“You will,” Mia said, smiling. “After a few more months with my mom, you’ll get it. Our mom, that is. She doesn’t want you to apologize for your existence. She wants you to be yourself. Whoever that is.”
“I’ll try,” Margot said, glancing over at me. In the soft afternoon light, I could see salt crystals in her eyelashes. Still needing the approval she hadn’t had for all the years Nicole had kept her from me.
“That’s all I ask,” Lila said, kissing the top of Margot’s sandy head. “Often, girls are taught to be quiet and nice—to acquiesce to everyone around them. But not in this house. I want you to be bold and brave, but also kind. Especially to yourself.”
“Okay,” Margot said.
“All right then. I need to send an email. Make it official. Why don’t you girls go clean up. Then we’ll decide what to make for dinner.”
Margot jumped off Lila’s lap and threw herself around my legs, dampening my jeans. Mia wrapped her arms around both of us. “Margot sandwich,” Mia said.
Margot giggled, then the two of them ran inside, still wet from their battle with the hose.
Inside, Lila opened her laptop. I stood behind her, my hand on the back of the chair as she typed.
Dear Ethan,
After careful consideration, I’ve decided to decline the network’s offer.
While I’m grateful for the opportunity, I’ve realized that what I want most is to focus on my family and my local design work.
Please convey my thanks to the network for their faith in me, and let them know I’m willing to sign whatever NDA or agreement they need regarding the events of this summer.
Thank you for everything, Lila
She hovered the cursor over “Send” for just a second.
“You sure?” I asked softly.
“Yep.”
She clicked.
The email whooshed away.
Then Lila let out a breath that sounded like she’d been holding it for weeks. “It’s done. I’m free.”
I put my hands on her shoulders. “Let’s celebrate tonight. All of us. Tidewater Grill.”
She looked up at me, smiling. “If you insist. I’m starving.”