Page 7 of Unspoken Tides

Hilary allowed the entire afternoon to drift by before she sailed back to Nantucket Harbor and tied up her boat. She’d hardly touched her wine or snacks and wavered sorrowfully down the dock as she headed back toward her car. She needed food. No, more than that, she needed to throw her phone into the Nantucket Sound and never interact with Rodrick again.

But both she and Rodrick knew she couldn’t resist him. The nostalgia and the ache were too powerful.

Once she returned home, she stood out on the back porch, brought her phone to her ear, and listened as it rang out across the continent. A part of her prayed he wouldn’t answer and he’d miss her call. Another prayed he’d answer and immediately pledge his undying love to her. “You were always the only woman for me.”

Unceremoniously, Rodrick answered with an easy, “Hey, Hil. Glad you got back to me.”

Hilary’s heart banged against her ribs. She felt flustered and nearly stumbled over her words.

“Rodrick.” Her tone was easy. “This is a surprise.”

“I hope it’s a nice surprise?”

“It’s a surprise.” Hilary pretended to tease him. “Let’s not get carried away.”

Why was she flirting with him? Was she really that weak?

Rodrick laughed openly, and the sound made her legs melt beneath her.

Hilary sat down. “Are you still in LA?”

“Of course. You know I can’t leave the West for long.”

Hilary’s cheeks hurt, and she realized she was “feigning a smile” to nobody at all. She frowned to fix it.

“How are you, Hilary?”

“I’m wonderful. And yourself?”

“Wonderful as well,” Rodrick said.

It occurred to Hilary that this was one of the most boring yet captivating conversations of her entire life. What could they possibly say to one another? But why did she feel on the brink of insanity?

Hilary remained quiet.

“I imagine it’s gorgeous in Nantucket this time of year,” Rodrick said.

Hilary wanted to remind him that their wedding anniversary was very near. He already knew it was beautiful here at this time of year. But she didn’t.

“I went for a sail today,” Hilary said instead.

“All by yourself?”

Hilary sensed he was nudging around for some sense that she had a boyfriend. “All by myself.”

“You were always the bravest woman I ever knew.”

“Don’t flatter me.”

“I’m not. Just speaking the truth.”

Hilary’s heart flipped over, bent, and exploded. Her hand was so sweaty that she thought she might drop her phone. She wanted him to get to the point. But she also didn’t want him to hang up the phone. She could have listened to him breathing for an hour. It reminded her of the hundreds of nights they’d slept alongside one another.

“I have some news,” Rodrick said.

Here it was. Was he having a kid? Did he have cancer? Her thoughts raced.

“I’m making a new movie,” Rodrick said. “And it’s set in Nantucket.”

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