Page 3 of Seaside Hideaway

Natalie appeared in the doorway, her eyes scanning the room out of habit. “Everything looks as secure as we left it.”

“Good.” Piper nodded, a genuine smile spreading across her face. “Thank you all for everything. Go and enjoy your break. I’ll see you next week.”

James and Ryan showed themselves out while Natalie pulled her into a hug.

“Call me if you want to do anything during the week,” Natalie said as she met her eyes. “But I’d completely understand if you’re sick of me by now.”

“Never,” Piper said with a smile. “Give me two or three days to recover and unwind? What about dinner Thursday night? I’ve been craving my grandmother’s eggplant parmesan.”

“I’d love to. Just send me a message to confirm, and I’ll be here.”

Piper walked Natalie out and watched her slide into the passenger seat. The SUV pulled away, and for the first time in months, Piper was truly alone.

Piper decided to leave the unpacking for later. She was tired, but not quite ready for sleep yet. Stepping outside, she made her way to the edge of the pool, gazing out at the sprawling view of Los Angeles before her.

The city lights twinkled in the distance, and Piper took a deep breath. It felt good to be back home, and it wasn’t until she’d stepped off her plane that she realized just how exhausted she was, both mentally and physically.

She stared out at the skyline, and Piper couldn’t help but reflect on how far she had come. Nine years ago, when she had left her grandmother’s house in Morro Bay to pursue her acting dreams in Los Angeles, she never could have imagined the path her life would take.

Back then, she had been a wide-eyed 21-year-old, full of ambition and determination, but also full of uncertainty. The decision to leave the safety and comfort of her grandmother’s home had been a daunting one, but Piper had known in her heart that she needed to take a chance.

And she had achieved so much, far beyond what she had ever dreamed possible. But the part that Piper was most proud of was the fact that she had done it all while being true to herself.

Not once had Piper hidden who she was. From the moment she had arrived in Los Angeles, she had been an out and proud lesbian. It hadn’t always been easy, and she was certain that she’d missed out on roles because of that decision, but it wasn’t long before she proved that her acting skills were far more interesting than her sexuality.

Piper’s thoughts drifted to her grandmother and a pang of grief tugged at her heart. It was her unwavering support and acceptance that had given Piper the courage to embrace her true self, even in the face of her parents’ rejection. If it weren’t for Lily, Piper knew she might not have had the strength to pursue her dreams and become the woman she was today.

A single tear slid down Piper’s cheek as she wished, not for the first time, that she could have had just one more day with her grandmother. Piper wished she could tell her how much she loved her, how much she had shaped her life for the better. Two years later, Piper still couldn’t shake the regret of not spending more time with her, and she was starting to wonder if she ever would.

As the cool breeze ruffled her hair, Piper made a silent vow to honor her grandmother’s memory by pouring her heart and soul into the renovation of the Morro Bay beach house. It would be a chance to reconnect with her roots, to find the peace and solace she had always felt in that special place. And perhaps, in the process, she could finally find the closure she had been searching for.

2

Audrey pushed open the door of Haven Café, a welcome blast of cool air washing over her sun-warmed skin. The familiar chime of the bell above the door announced her arrival, and she breathed in the comforting scent of freshly brewed coffee and cinnamon rolls.

“Audrey! Your usual?” Lisa called from behind the counter.

“Yes, please,” Audrey answered, making her way to her favorite corner booth. She sank into the cushioned seat with a sigh, feeling the ache in her muscles from the hours of landscaping work she’d already put in this morning.

Lisa appeared at the table, setting down a tall glass of iced coffee. “Rough morning?”

“Just hot,” Audrey said, wrapping her hands around the cool glass. “Mrs. Johnson’s new garden is coming along nicely, but I swear that woman changes her mind every five minutes.”

“Sounds like you’ve earned your lunch break,” Lisa laughed. “I’ll be back with your turkey club in two minutes.”

As Lisa walked away, Audrey took a long sip of her coffee, savoring the taste and willing the caffeine to get her through the second half of her day. She leaned back, letting her eyes drift closed for a moment. The quiet hum of conversation and the clink of dishes surrounded her as she thought about her next job. Thankfully, it was only a ten-minute drive away, and the owner of that house was much more laidback than Mrs. Johnson.

Opening her eyes, Audrey caught sight of her reflection in the window. Her black hair was pulled back in a messy ponytail, a few wayward strands clinging to her neck, damp with perspiration from the morning’s labor. She looked tired, the faint lines around her green eyes more pronounced than usual, but there was a spark of satisfaction there too. Despite the challenges, she loved her work. The ache in her muscles and the dirt under her nails were signs of another job done. Her landscaping business was thriving, and with each garden she transformed, she felt more rooted in this coastal community she now called home.

Audrey sipped her coffee and let her mind wander. She thought about the garden she’d just left behind, envisioning how it would look once the roses bloomed. There was something deeply satisfying about coaxing life from the earth, about creating beauty where there was once only bare soil.

Her phone buzzed, taking her away from her thoughts. It was a text from her newest client, confirming their appointment for the following week. Audrey quickly typed out a response, grateful for the steady stream of work that had allowed her to rebuild her life here in Morro Bay.

Lisa appeared at her table, setting down a plate piled high with a turkey club sandwich and a side of crisp, golden fries. “Here you go.”

“Thanks,” Audrey said, her stomach rumbling as soon as she caught the scent of the toasted bread and fries.

A waitress took Audrey’s plate, and Lisa slid into the booth across from Audrey, a warm smile on her face. “Sorry. We just got busy after you came in.”

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