Page 53 of Starlight Bay

“Lovely, thanks for asking. I walked the beach for hours. So peaceful. So much time for reflection.”

I somehow managed to hold my eye roll in check, opting for a sip of water instead. I hoped that beer would get here sooner rather than later. Maybe I should tell Misty to keep ‘em coming; I only had to ride my bike two blocks.

“Really? What did you reflect on?” I asked.What a shitty mother you were?

“Life. Love. Eternity,” Violet answered in an ethereal voice, rubbing the insides of her wrists.What, was she a magic lamp or something?Maybe I could get a free wish or three.

“And?” I asked as Misty plopped the three beers down. Bethany and I both lunged for ours; Violet left hers sitting in the center of the table.Fine, I’d drink it.

“I spent time thinking about you girls, your life choices.”

Bethany gnawed the corner of her lip while I stewed, aggravation rolling around in my stomach, mixing with the beer.

“What about them?” I asked, annoyance seeping into my voice.

Violet sighed. “I feel like I really let you girls down.”

Well, now we were getting somewhere. She was finally admitting her mistakes. Maybe hearing her out would be beneficial. I took another long slug, waiting.

“I never taught you the true value of following your dreams, forging your own path. I let your father teach you all the things, instill all these cultural norms in you, instead of spending more time incorporating creativity.”

So much for getting somewhere.

“That’s not true, Violet. You were the one who told me to study computers, that it’d be a good career,” Bethany said, adjusting her glasses. “And it is.”

“That’s great, Beth. And I can see you’re very good at your job, passionate even. And I’m sure Lana is a fabulous teacher. She clearly has a passion for that as well, since she even teaches in the summer. But I’m talking about travel, love. You girls never took flight; you just stayed close to the nest, like good little hens.”

I bristled. I didnotlike being compared to a hen.

“I like it here, Violet,” Bethany said, her voice strong, even forceful. “We’re good here.”

“There’s so much to see out in the world, though! The collective taught me that; I only wish you would learn that now, while you still have the chance.”

“What are you saying?” I asked, narrowing my eyes at her. This convo sounded very familiar to the one we’d had this morning.

“What I’m saying, Lana,” Violet said in an agitated, and frankly loud, voice, “is you shouldn’t settle for a divorced man with a child. No matter how gorgeous he is. No man is worth throwing away your independence for.”

Anger boiled in my gut, my chest tightening. I glanced up, over Violet’s shoulder, and locked eyes with Grant. Of course he’d come out of his office and walk over to us at that very second.

Did he hear what Violet said? Judging by the flat expression on his face, my guess would be yes.

“Grant!” I cried, leaping from my stool, almost knocking the table over. “Wait!”

But he’d already turned and jumped into his car, pulling away from the curb.

I stalked back to the table.

“Thanks a bunch, Violet. For the first time in years, I’m dating a quality guy and you may have just blown it for me. Sorry, Beth, I have to go. Order whatever and I’ll split the bill later.”

I spun on my heel and grabbed my bike, leaving my sister and mother sitting at the table, staring after me.

CHAPTER 15

GRANT

Iknew I shouldn’t have gotten involved with Lana. I fucking knew it and I did it anyway.

Seriously, Grant, when will you ever learn?

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