Page 10 of Unspoken Tides

“Worried sick!” Stella said. “You’ve ignored all of my text messages the past few days.”

Hilary grimaced. She vaguely remembered flashing lights and vibrations from her cell phone. She’d thrown her phone in her purse and kept working.

“Are you in town?” Stella asked. “I’m in front of your place.”

“I’m almost home,” Hilary said. “Is there something wrong?”

“No.” Stella’s voice was drained of urgency. “We’re just having a Salt Sisters’ night tonight at my place. You’re the only one who hasn’t said yes or no.”

Hilary felt a stab of regret and another of guilt. She pictured all the Salt Sisters waiting for her somewhere, watching the door. She imagined one of them saying, “Hilary just isn’t there for us anymore.”

“I’ll be there,” Hilary said, making a quick calculation. If she went immediately to the Nantucket warehouse to drop off the costumes, called Rodrick quickly about another question she had, then took a shower, she could be at Stella’s by seven or eight.

“Great.” Stella’s voice was warm again. “Can’t wait to see you.”

Hilary sped through the rest of her day, her eyes enormous and her foot heavy on the gas pedal. By the time she threw herself in the shower and scrubbed down, it was already seven forty-five. And by the time she’d dressed, dried her hair, and done her makeup, it was eight twenty. As she headed to the Porsche, her keys jangling, Rodrick called again, and his voice made her heart tap-dance across her diaphragm.

She was back in Hollywood, baby. It was like she’d never left.

Hilary rang the doorbell of Stella’s home and waited with a bottle of wine in her hand. She could hear the Salt Sisters’ laughter echoing from the back porch, and when nobody came to retrieve her, she walked around the side of the house to say hello. She could see all of them from the base of the porch stairs, their earrings jangling and eyes dancing in the candlelight. Tina was telling a story that had everyone captivated. Hilary waited, straining to hear until Tina finished. And then, she cleared her throat.

“Hilary! You made it!” Stella hurried to make space for her around the glass porch table.

Hilary blushed as she slipped in beside Katrina and across from Robby. “I’m so sorry I’m late.”

“Stella said you’ve been really busy lately,” Gale said, furrowing her brow. “I hope everything’s okay?”

Hilary sensed their worry permeating the air. It was in the nature of the Salt Sisters to worry about one another and raise each other up. Hilary normally did the heavy lifting.

“I’m doing well. How is everyone else?” Hilary pushed back, not sure if she wanted to share yet. She could already imagine their fears; she could already hear Stella saying, are you sure you want to work with Rodrick again, Hilary? Think of your mental health. Think of all he put you through. Be reasonable.

“Tina was just telling us about a date she went on the other day,” Stella said.

Tina waved her hand. “Suffice it to say, it’s rough out there.”

Hilary’s heart felt warm at the thought of Rodrick coming all the way from California. She hadn’t asked if his wife was joining him. Most of her assumed he wasn’t married anymore. That was the nature of Hollywood marriages, she knew. They were always crumbling.

Then again, she hadn’t googled it. She hadn’t bothered to actually confirm or deny his marriage, wanting to fall into the beauty of her daydreams. That was potentially disastrous.

“Oh! Hil,” Katrina began, “we have a big question for you. Have you seen all the movie sets around the Historic District? It looks like they’re transforming some streets to another era. The eighties or seventies or something.”

Hilary’s stomach tightened. She reached for the open bottle of wine and poured herself a glass.

“Have you heard what they’re filming?” Katrina asked. “I figured if anyone knew, you would.”

Hilary wasn’t sure she was ready to share that, either. “I’ll look into it.”

“It’s so exciting!” Sylvie said. “I always love running into famous actors and actresses at the beaches around here.”

“Remember when we saw Matthew McConaughey at the grocery store a few years ago?” Rose said to Ada.

“I remember that you dropped the orange juice!” Ada said.

Robby snapped her fingers. “That reminds me. Hilary, I can’t believe you never told me who your mother is.”

The table went quiet. Hilary gaped at Robby as her heart pounded in her throat. It seemed that, in telling Robby about Isabella Helin, the Salt Sisters had forgotten the number one rule when it came to Isabella Helin— don’t mention her to Hilary.

All the color drained from Robby’s face. She pressed her hand over her mouth, then stuttered, “I’ve said something wrong. I’m sorry.”

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