34. Eleanor
Eleanor
The next week passes in a blur of final fundraiser prep, Safe Harbor planning, and late nights making love at Theo’s house before sneaking home in the early dawn hours. I still haven’t told him I love him, but he must know. He must see it on my face every time I look at him.
I want to believe he feels the same. The way he reacted when I told him I wanted this for real… It was as if he’d been holding his breath, waiting for me to say the words.
But he’s been different since we got back from the city. Not softer, as I’d hoped, but quieter. More withdrawn. Tense in a way that’s unlike before.
Like he could break at any second.
I don’t blame him. There are so many obstacles standing in our way if we want to be together. What if it’s too much?
I shake the thought from my head as I glance at my clipboard, making sure we’re still on track.
It’s Friday afternoon and we’re setting up for the fundraiser on Sunday evening.
Floral arrangements, linens, and banners will be organized tomorrow, along with silent auction items and raffle tables.
Today, we’re focused on getting the tent up, lighting and sound checks, and student artwork installed.
Danny has wrangled a handful of parent volunteers and senior students to help, and I smile as I watch them bring our vision for Harbor Lights to life.
“It’s coming along, huh?” Paige says, appearing beside me.
I cast my gaze across the lawn, over the huge event tent that’s been erected with a small stage and tables inside.
String lights thread through the last stubborn leaves still clinging to the oak trees, and a parent who’s a local boatbuilder volunteered to create a temporary boardwalk across the lawn, lined with wooden lantern stands.
That was Juliana’s idea. She’s created a gorgeous aesthetic for the evening, within budget, and even her father had to admit it’s good.
“It looks fantastic,” I agree.
Rowan joins us, releasing his chestnut hair, which falls in long curls threaded with gray past his shoulders. Then he twists it back into a bun, sliding a pencil behind his ear.
“The band has done its sound check,” he tells me, leaning against a tree, “and I’m working on getting the student artwork set up.”
“Thanks, Rowan.” I check that item off my clipboard, giving him a grateful smile.
He grins as he takes in the scene before us. “This is great. I don’t know why we’ve never done it at the school before.”
“Because Dad is a stickler for following the rules,” Juliana drawls as she sashays across. She flicks me a teasing smile. “At least, he used to be.”
A flash of apprehension hits me, and instinctively my gaze searches for Theo.
I spot him inside the tent, deep in discussion with Danny over the schedule for Sunday.
He’s back in his usual suit and tie, but he hasn’t shaved, thank God.
From this distance, I can just make out the edge of tension in his jaw and his tight, controlled posture.
Our eyes meet across the tent. He smiles, but it’s the kind that doesn’t quite reach his eyes, and my heart falters. I wish I could walk over and kiss him right here, on the mouth, in front of everyone.
Will that ever be possible?
I wrench my gaze away to find the others watching me with interest. Well, Paige is. Rowan’s drifted off in deep thought like he sometimes does, and Juliana wears a sly smile, well aware that something is going on between her father and me. If only she knew how complicated it really is.
“Everything okay, Nora?” Paige asks, eyes shifting between me and Theo.
Shit.
“Uh—” Glancing at my clipboard, I search for something to say to distract from the situation, but Juliana mercifully comes to my rescue.
“Paige, I have a kid who might need to see you. Sweet, but definitely going through something.”
Paige’s brow dips. “What do you mean?”
“I’m not sure, but it feels like more than the usual teen stuff. You’ll probably meet him soon.” A wicked smile curls Juliana’s lips. “And wait until you meet his dad, Jake Ashby. He’s got this quiet, brooding vibe. Might be the sexiest single dad at the school.”
I feel my brows spring up. “Oh, boy.”
“Uh-huh.” Juliana nods. “He builds boats in that old shed on the beach, so you know he’s good with his hands.”
Paige laughs uncomfortably, as she usually does when Juliana says something inappropriate. “I’ll keep an eye out.”
Rowan joins the conversation again, glancing from Juliana to someone across the lawn, tone laced with amusement as he says, “Isn’t that him?”
The three of us follow Rowan’s gaze to the guy working on the boardwalk.
Tall, early forties, sandy-blond hair and scruff laced with silver.
He’s in faded jeans and a fleece-lined denim jacket over a worn fisherman sweater, a nail between his teeth as he reaches for the next board.
His large, callused hands haul the wood into place with ease, like he’s done it a million times before.
Beside me, Paige exhales audibly.
“That’s him,” Juliana confirms. She glances back at Rowan. “How do you know Jake?”
“I’ve seen him around, but I also take Cody for art. And you’re right,” Rowan agrees, softening. “He could use some support.”
Juliana nods, looking at Paige again. “We can talk more after the fundraiser.”
But Paige doesn’t answer. She just watches, mesmerized, as Jake grabs another board, nailing it to the boardwalk. Juliana sends me a knowing smirk, and I laugh, nudging Paige.
“Are you okay?”
“What?” She blinks at me, cheeks staining crimson. “I’m fine.” She tries to shake it off, but the breathless note in her voice betrays her.
“He’s hot, right?” Juliana says.
Rowan scoffs, something almost defensive in his tone as he says, “He’s my age.”
“So? Some women in their twenties happen to like men who are older.” Juliana gives Rowan a pointed smile.
I bite my lip, relieved she doesn’t look at me, but Rowan doesn’t fare much better. He shifts his weight, red creeping up his neck. I remember what Juliana said in the tiki bar about her friend Ayla having a crush on him, and the implication that something happened between them.
“I need to get more student artwork,” he mumbles, tugging absently on the leather cord around his neck as he walks stiffly across the lawn.
I turn to Juliana, steering her back on track before she can cause any more trouble. “Jules, are the table centerpieces ready?”
She nods. “They’re ready.”
Paige, who seems to have recovered, crosses the lawn to adjust a sign. I watch her carefully straighten it, her gaze drifting to Jake when she thinks we’re not looking.
Juliana chuckles beside me. “Well, this should be interesting.”
I laugh, shoving her. “Go find something to do.”
“Fine.” Her voice is full of drama, but she’s smiling as she wanders off.
Checking over my list again, I’m pleased to see we’re on schedule.
We’ve been out here all day, along with the parent volunteers and a few senior students, but now I wave goodbye and thank the group as we wind down.
It’s 4:30 and we’re losing light, save for the string bulbs in the trees around the tent.
I notice a few of them have slipped loose, and, setting my clipboard aside, I drag a ladder over to fix them.
The ladder wobbles slightly as I climb, reaching into the branches to restring the lights, but then it steadies.
I glance down to find Theo at the bottom, holding it with firm hands.
“You shouldn’t be up there,” he murmurs, brow low.
“It’s fine. I’m nearly done.”
From here I can see Rowan bringing out the student artwork, the lights from the large window in the art room glowing in the fading evening light.
Jake has finished the boardwalk and begins packing up his truck, Paige pretending not to notice as she examines the students’ work.
Juliana’s debating table layout with Danny, who’s checking the sound system in the tent as the last of the parent volunteers trickle to their cars.
I finish with the lights, about to climb down, when Theo’s hand brushes my ankle. The kind of touch no one else would notice, but I feel it all over my body.
I glance at him, surprised. He’s been impossible to read all week, making love to me passionately then lying awake beside me when he thinks I’m asleep. We’ve gone from sneaking around at school to sleeping beside each other every night, but I still feel unsettled.
Let’s get through the fundraiser, then we’ll figure it out.
His words do little to reassure me, because what’s going to change after the fundraiser? More to the point, what if he decides I’m not worth the cost?
My hands shake as I climb down the ladder, stopping on the bottom rung and turning so I’m face to face with Theo. His eyes are intense and inscrutable as they meet mine, and I want nothing more than to lean forward and kiss him.
I’m tired of hiding. Tired of worrying about getting caught. Tired of feeling like I have to choose between the man I love, and the school that stole my heart.
Because it’s not only Theo I’ve fallen in love with, it’s this place. The faculty. The students. These halls. The view of the ocean from my window, the way salt always clings to the air.
I’ve fallen in love with Wetherly, and I don’t want to lose any of it.
With a sigh, I step off the bottom rung, my heart aching. Theo’s eyes remain glued to mine, and I glance around, realizing we’re alone beside the tent. I know it’s wrong, it’s too much to ask, but I need something from him. I need the reassurance that he still wants me.
“Theo,” I whisper, searching his eyes. “Please…” I lean in, wanting the briefest touch of his lips to mine, but he steps back, shaking his head.
“Not here.” His voice comes out low and harsh, and I blink, hurt flashing through me before I can stop it. Of course he can’t kiss me here. I know that.
But it stings.
He reads my expression, looking agonized. “Eleanor,” he pleads, but now it’s my turn to shake my head.
“Forget it,” I murmur, raising a trembling hand to hide my embarrassment.
He hesitates, then catches my wrist in his hand, grip tight and unyielding. The contact burns. I should pull away, but I don’t. I can’t.
“I’m sorry—” he begins, but Rowan steps out from behind the tent, whistling, and Theo curses under his breath before dropping his hand.
“I’ve got a few more student art pieces to grab,” Rowan says, slowing a little as he nears, “but—”
“We’ll get them,” Theo interjects.
Rowan glances between us, mouth opening as if to argue, but Theo stares at him hard, leaving no room for debate.
“Okay,” Rowan relents, tossing his keys to Theo. “I guess… I’ll take off then.”
My pulse thrums as I watch Rowan leave, Theo’s presence like a solid wall of tension beside me. He turns wordlessly toward the art room, and when I don’t move, he looks back at me with a jaw that could shatter concrete.
I follow, heart pounding.