Chapter Fourteen
From: Keegan Baldwin [email protected]
To: Luna Oliver [email protected]
Date: April 24
I’m not sure if you heard, but I’m coming to MN for a long weekend. I get in on Thursday and leave Sunday. I fly to Minneapolis and thought about staying in the city for the night. Are you free? It would be great to see you and catch up. Dinner maybe? I’d head up to Cherry early Friday morning. Let me know either way.
From: Luna Oliver [email protected]
To: Keegan Baldwin [email protected]
Date: April 24
I leave for Cabo Wednesday and don’t get back until the following Wednesday. We miss each other once again. Safe travels and give my parents a big hug for me.
A couple of days later, we drive two cars to Montauk. Keegan takes Forest, Raven, and me. Myles drives the other car with Jules, who arrived last night from Texas. Raven and I figured they have a lot to catch up on without an audience. And although I’ve managed to avoid it for the past month, Raven finally meets my brother.
The mood is icy at best, but Raven keeps everyone talking with her questions and singing along to every song that comes on the radio. Keegan, Forest, and I haven’t talked about the other night, and I’d rather enjoy this short getaway than focus on it. I considered more than once staying back in the city, and not going to Montauk. But I’m the bridge between my roommates and Forest and Keegan, so I decided to come.
As we make our way down the winding road toward the house, anticipation builds inside me. I’ve needed a break from the city. And then as we turn the final corner and pull into the driveway, my jaw drops in awe. In front of me stands a magnificent home, an architectural masterpiece. The house is situated right on the water with a breathtaking view of the beach and the ocean beyond.
“Holy shit.” Forest breaks the silence as he also stares at the house. “This house is insane.”
We go inside, and Raven and I get a little excited and run from room to room. I claim one on the lower level with stunning views.
“Dibs,” I say, so everyone else in the house can hear me.
“There’s a room in its own wing of the house. Let’s give that one to Myles and Jules. They’ll be the only ones having sex,” Raven says.
“Where are you?” I ask Raven as she stands in the doorway.
“I’m way down the hall. Keegan is next to you, and Forest chose a room a floor up.”
The four of us unpack, and after we’ve been here for about thirty minutes, Myles and Jules walk in.
“This place is incredible.” Jules’ Texas accent drips off her tongue. “I mean, is this real life?”
Myles puts his arm around her waist. They are the same height, and their eyes take in their surroundings.
“There’s this great seafood restaurant I’ve been dying to try. Is anyone up for that?” Forest says, studying his phone. “It’s right on the water. I figured we could start our night there and then see what we’re feeling like.”
“Sounds great.” Keegan, Raven, and I all say at once.
Myles looks at Jules. “We signed up for a sunset cruise tonight. But we’ll catch up with all of you later.”
We head out to the restaurant, and it’s only about a five-minute drive. Forest called ahead and got reservations, and we have a table on the patio and I can smell the ocean salt in the air.
“Keegan.” My eyes dart to him as a thought comes my way. “I didn’t even give you first dibs on the bedroom. I’m sorry. Switch with me. I have ocean views. I only laid on the bed a little, but I was clean.”
“I wouldn’t dare.” He shakes his head, half of his mouth turning up in a smile. “And I love the bedroom I got.”
“You’re sure?” I press on, remembering that he spent twenty-three thousand dollars on this weekend, and it should all be about him.
“Completely. Enjoy waking up to the ocean,” Keegan says. “You deserve it.”
We order lobster rolls, calamari, mussels, and clams for an appetizer, and then we all end up ordering the sauteed sea scallop. Our drinks are the kind that comes with fancy umbrellas, and it feels good to be out of the city and in the open air again.
“We don’t have seafood like this in Minnesota,” Forest says, bringing me back to reality. “This is literally to die for.”
He then turns his attention to Raven, who sits across from him. “Where did you say you’re from?”
She whips her hair off of her face with a flick of her hand. “South Carolina. So don’t be jealous, but our seafood is amazing.”
My eyes meet Keegan’s, and then we both look at the water. The ocean before us is alive with color, mostly shades of orange and gold, as if paying homage to the setting sun. The light is diffused, casting an ethereal glow over the water that makes it look like it’s on fire. It’s a moment of pure magic.
“It’s weird that Luna hasn’t introduced us yet,” Forest says, glancing at me and then Raven. “Or that we haven’t ended up at George’s on the same night.”
“Agreed,” Raven says. “What’s your story, anyway? Luna acts like you’re a secret she doesn’t want to share.”
“Not true,” I say, rolling my eyes. “We’ve been a little busy since moving here, don’t you think?”
Forest leans forward on his elbows, full attention on Raven. Keegan and I exchange knowing glances.
“Well, I’m from the same place as these two,” Forest says. “And then I did my undergrad at Dartmouth, Medical School at Boston College, and am a year out of my cardiology fellowship. I’m single and enjoy romantic walks on the beach. Let’s see. What else?”
“Funny,” Raven says, blowing off the latter part of his comments. “And why didn’t you want to go the surgery route like Keegan and Luna?”
Forest smiles. “Because unlike Keegan and Luna, I’m good with people, and I like my patients awake when I’m with them. I love getting to know their stories. I wouldn’t get that as much if I was a surgeon.”
“Maybe I shouldn’t be a surgeon either. I’m also good with people.” Raven leans forward too, hanging on to his words before changing the subject. “You being a surgeon, Luna, makes sense. You’re always putting your foot in your mouth.”
Everyone, including me, laughs at that very true statement.
Forest smiles at Raven, and I see goosebumps travel up her arms. She’s putty in his hands, like so many before her who aren’t immune to the charm he exudes.
“There are some great bars here,” Forest says, breaking the silence. “We should go. What do you guys think?”
I check the time on my phone. “I want to enjoy the house. Maybe read a book. Chill. You guys go.”
“Me too,” Keegan says, glancing at me. “I thought it would be nice to have a fire. We never get to do that in the city.”
“Oh, a fire sounds nice,” I say.
“Do you guys mind if I stay here and check out a few bars with Forest?” Raven says.
“Go for it,” I say, and Forest’s smile somehow grows wider. “Just be careful. He’s a real smooth talker.”
“Really, Luna?” Forest rolls his eyes.
The bill comes, and I grab my card and put it in the center of the table.
“Forest and I have it covered,” Keegan says, holding his hand out.
“No. I’m paying my part.” I fold my arms over my chest.
Forest tries to shove my card back in my direction, but I don’t let him. “Why are you always so stubborn, Luna?”
“I’m not stubborn,” I say. “But I’m not going to let you guys pay for everything.”
“Fine,” Keegan says, and he and Forest put their cards on mine and we wait for the server.
Keegan and I take the car back to the house and leave Forest and Raven out on the town. Myles and Jules are still out, so I go to my room, change into pajama pants and a tank top, grab a throw blanket from the bed, and wrap it around my shoulders. When I get outside, Keegan has already started a fire, but he’s nowhere in sight. There are four Adirondack chairs, and I take one where I can also see the moon glistening off the ocean.
“Hey.” Keegan’s voice rings out, and I glance at him. He has two glasses in his hand. “I made you a drink.”
“Oh. Thanks.” I take it from his hand and smell it. “I haven’t had a mojito in ages.”
Keegan sits in the chair next to me so he can also see the ocean. The night has turned cool, and the fire not only smells like back home, but it warms every inch of me.
“I don’t think I’ll go back to the city,” I say. “I’m going to become a squatter in this house. It’s big enough that they won’t even know I’m here.”
Keegan laughs. “The hospital would miss you.”
“I bet no one would even notice I was gone.” I look at him through the side of my eye.
“Look at tonight’s moon.” Keegan moves his gaze to the sky. “I love everything about it. It’s so beautiful.”
“Really? The moon?” I ask.
Keegan picks at something on his shorts but watches me. “Why not?”
My namesake. When I was born, the moon was full, and my parents were dead set on naming me after it because the moon is the symbol of mystery and feminine energy. Or something like that.
I turn and face the fire and breathe in the scent. I close my eyes for a moment and pretend I’m back on the Iron Range, with the Minnesota forests all around me. I love being here, but I also miss home.
“Keegan.”
“Luna.”
We say each other’s names simultaneously.
“I’m sorry about the Ian thing,” Keegan says quickly. “I didn’t know how to navigate it, weighing our relationship with the fact that you’re an intern. I should have treated this in a strictly professional manner and not like a protective big brother.”
“Meaning?” I shift on my chair.
“Professionally speaking.” Keegan inhales a breath. “Ian Lanson has a reputation. He’s received formal complaints from female residents. It’s the worst-kept secret at the hospital. I should have reported it and let leadership handle it however they saw fit.”
He pauses and looks down at his balled fists. He narrows his eyes when he glances back at me. “I reacted emotionally, and I’m sorry. I couldn’t stand the thought of him touching you. . .”
Keegan looks down again. “That wasn’t fair of me. You are a professional, and I shouldn’t have stepped around you. That wasn’t fair to you. I’m sorry, Luna.”
“Thank you.” I pull the blanket tighter around my shoulders. “Apology accepted.”
“Were you going to say something?”
“I’m sorry too.” I look at my folded hands in my lap. “About the other day. I too acted emotionally and crossed a boundary.”
I breathe in sharply, finally finding my courage. “I hope you know that your muscles didn’t get to me, and I still think you’re rather boring. I was delirious from lack of sleep.”
“And don’t forget I’m also slightly gross.” Keegan leans against the side of his chair. “But I get it. You have no idea how many times that’s happened to me.”
“What?” I jerk my head toward him. “Are you serious?”
“Totally.” Keegan raises his eyebrows. “Interns and residents always throw themselves at me after long shifts at the hospital. If I turned everyone in, it would be quite the HR file.”
My mouth hangs open, but then Keegan starts to laugh.
“Oh, really? You think that’s funny?” I throw my blanket at him as he continues to laugh.
“I’m sorry, Luna,” he says. “I was trying to make you feel better. I’m afraid you’re the one and only who’s ever done that.”
Heat pricks my face, and then trickles down my body. Keegan sits, watching me, and then brushes his hair back. And because he doesn’t say anything, I fill all the space. Like I always do.
“In my defense, I was having the worst day. And you were so nice. Nicer than you usually are. Because most days, you stare at me like I’m some sort of math equation that’s over your head. Literally, you look at me like everything that comes out of my mouth is the stupidest thing you’ve ever heard. You’re doing it right now, actually. And then I decided that maybe I was curious. I didn’t think. I never think. It was so stupid. Can we forget it ever happened?”
Keegan doesn’t speak at first. He lowers his head and knits his eyebrows together. “Luna,” he finally says, leaning forward in his chair. “That’s not what I think of you. Nothing you say—”
The sliding glass door opens, and Forest and Raven walk out. I feel both relief and frustration that I won’t have a chance to hear what Keegan was about to say.
“We went to the most incredible bar.” They both take a seat, and Forest continues. “It was the best hole in the wall. And there was Karaoke. It was epic.”
“Your brother sang.” Raven looks at me and laughs. “Well, I should clarify. I put his name and the song down without him knowing, but he went up there and did the dang thing.”
I glance at Keegan, who still watches me, and Forest and Raven fade into the background. The moment is gone, and the mood and everything else has shifted, as they replay their night out on the town. Usually, I’d want to hear it, but tonight, I only want to finish the conversation with Keegan.
Instead, I say goodnight to the group and go inside.