Page 40 of The Art Of Starting Over

“When we get back to Crow’s, I’ll give you money for today.”

“You will not,” Hayden said. “It’s fine.”

“I’m appreciative, but I don’t want to owe you anything, Hayden. The last thing I need is for people to say I’m taking advantage of you.”

“People like Sapphire Fleming?”

Devorah rolled her eyes. “She had a crush on Chad back in high school. I bet she’s loving all of this.”

“I know this is easy for me to say, but who cares what she or anyone thinks? Shit happens. You can’t control what others do, but you sure as hell can control how these people make you feel.”

“It’s karma.”

“Why?”

“Because I wasn’t nice to them in high school. I was a stuck-up snob, daughter of the sheriff who never got into trouble for anything. The one who shunned her friends for a guy. No one in town owes me any grace.”

Hayden reached across the table and took Devy’s hand in his, his thumb brushing across her skin in a light caress. “Don’t let the people in Oyster Bay bully you into thinking you’re not deserving of compassion, Dev. Everyone is, regardless.”

Devorah liked the way Hayden’s strong hand engulfed hers, even if it made her feel like they were doing something they shouldn’t. When one of the staff came toward their table with their order, Devy pulled her hand away and then excused herself to find the kids.

She walked a bit and then looked over her shoulder. Hayden stared at her with a smile on his face. Devy smiled back. It was genuine, it felt good, and it gave her hope that she and Hayden could be friends.

Later that night, after Maren had gone to bed, Devorah told her father she was going for a walk.

“Take Cordelia with you.”

Devorah stared at her father and then looked at the dog, who wagged her tail in anticipation. “Why?”

“Because she needs it, and people are less likely to bother someone with a dog.”

“But she’s a puppy.”

Crow laughed. “Cordelia, show teeth.”

The dog obeyed and lifted her lips in a snarl.

“Good girl. Now give her a cookie.” Crow motioned to the jar on the sideboard. Dev did as she was told.

“What else can she do?”

“Probably anything you ask. Colt sent her to some fancy-pants training school, which is why I let her stay here and not down at the bar with him.”

“A bar is no place for a dog.”

“That’s what I told him when he brought her home.” Crow flipped through the channels until he landed on a baseball game. “Ugh, the Yankees.”

“I’ll be back. Maren’s sleeping,” she told her dad as she leashed Cordelia. They set out on their walk. Colt and Dev had wanted a dog growing up, but Crow wouldn’t let them have one. They were a busy family, and no one was ever home long enough to take care of an animal.

“You’re a good girl. Aren’t you?” Dev looked at Cordelia, who stayed right next to her leg. She didn’t pull on her leash or try to dart into traffic. “I hope you’re good for Maren—she needs someone or something.”

Cordelia looked up, as if she knew exactly what Devorah had said to her.

They walked toward downtown and then veered toward the water, headed for a bike path that ran along the beach. During the day, the views were impeccable. At night, she’d be able to see out over the harbor, the lights of the last boats coming in, or the strong orb of the lighthouse not far from them.

She used to run this path back in the day. She and Laila would jog to keep in shape after basketball season was over. There wasn’t a sport for them to cheer for during the spring, and Devorah needed to look her best for Pearl of the Ocean. She had never planned to enter the pageant, but it was a rite of passage for all high school girls in OB.

Devorah smiled at the people they passed, but mostly she kept her head down. She didn’t want to talk to anyone, even if it was small talk.When Cordelia stopped to relieve herself, Dev looked up and down the path, mindful of the people coming toward her. If her father had taught her anything, it was to know your surroundings.

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