Page 52 of Starlight Bay

I threw on my t-shirt and shorts, checking my phone one last time.

Yes! A text.

Clicking on the green bubble, my heart sunk when I saw it was from Bethany.No offense, sis.

Bethany: Let’s grab dinner out tonight. I need to get out of this house. Too much Violet time.

I texted back.

Lana: Okay. Big Chowder?

Three seconds later, my phone dinged with a text back.

Bethany: Yes. Meet you there.

Well, okay then. Glad I kept a change of clothes in my locker because apparently I was heading straight to dinner.

Big Chowderwas crowded, overflow from the long holiday weekend. I parked my bike on the sidewalk, then headed inside. It took my eyes a second to adjust to the dim lighting, a major contrast from the still-bright sunshine outside.

“Hey, Misty. Have you seen Bethany?” I asked, glancing around.

“Nope. I haven’t,” she said, shrugging.

“Okay. Is it cool if I just grab a table outside?” I asked, shivering, the cold air conditioning blowing down on my barely-dry skin.

“Sure. Need a menu?” she asked, holding a sticky plastic menu out to me.

I held up my hand, declining. “Nah, I know what I want.”

“I’ll be out in a sec with water. Want something stronger?” She cocked her head.

“Hmm. Maybe.” Then I remembered Violet. “Yes, definitely. I’ll take a beer, whatever’s on special.”

“You got it.”

I breezed back through the doors and snagged a high-top table on the sidewalk. Leaning back in my chair, I inhaled the salty air, relaxing for the first time all day.

Fuck this. What did she know? I loved Starlight Bay, loved the beach, loved teaching children. Loved Grant.

My eyes fluttered open and I almost fell out of my chair.What the?‘Love’ was a strong word and not one I threw about freely. Is that really how I felt? I gripped the table with both hands, concentrating, as tiny effervescent bubbles floated up into my chest. Despite my argument with Violet, I did feel lighter, happier, more content.

Damn. I was in love with Grant.

“Ohmygod, help.” Bethany rushed over, screech whispering in my ear. Violet was ten steps behind her on the sidewalk, swirling her long, flowy skirt. My good mood came crashing down again.

Bethany slunk down into the chair next to me, leaving the seat on my other side open for our mother. I guessed it was only fair, seeing as how she’d been with Violet all day long. I patted Bethany’s hand, waving Misty over.

“We’ll take two more beers, please.”

Misty nodded, as if she understood our predicament, casting a slanted glance at Violet.

“Oh no, I don’t drink. It’s against the collective policy,” Violet protested, arranging herself in her chair.

“Well, you’re in Starlight Bay, so you’re in good shape,” I said. Misty pivoted, heading into the restaurant to fetch thedrinks, happy for an excuse to bolt. At the moment, I fervently wished I had her job.

“How was your day, sweetheart?” Violet asked, staring me down, her eyes wide. Pretending she cared.

“Great. Yours?”

---