Page 9 of The Summer House
Over the years, Callie had witnessed how hard it had been for Olivia as a single mom, and she knew the internal struggle Olivia was having over being a great mom and still taking risks that could give him a different life.
“Okay!” Wyatt said excitedly, jumping up and down. “Let me set it up. I know how! Then I’ll come get you when I’m done.” He ran down to get his supplies.
While Wyatt was off gathering what he needed, Olivia had opened one of the magazines. “Did you see this article?” She flipped the magazine around, the pages rolled back so that the piece about the Sullivans was in view.
Callie took it from her. The Sullivans, with their many companies, had wealth so abundant that they rarely mixed with the residents and tourists there in Waves. The article claimed they’d lost touch with the locals. Luke was having lavish parties, sailing around with countless different women in luxury boats while the town was known for its eclectic, bohemian beach vibe. The other Sullivans hardly spent any time in North Carolina anymore—Edward spent most of his time in New York; Lillian Sullivan, Luke’s mother, who had raised Luke and his sister alone after her divorce from Edward, had left for Florida as soon as her children were out of college. Luke’s sister Juliette had chased a fashion design career in New York. So the local press had converged on Luke, and his rise in popularity in the press had caused increased interest in the small village. She read on.
Callie wanted to believe that Luke was as kind as he’d been at lunch but she couldn’t clear her mind of the headlines she’d read about his womanizing ways. He’d dated some big movie actress recently, the village in a frenzy as they were spotted out on the waters on his boat. The long-time residents were tiring of the paparazzi that followed her to their town.
“It was really nice of him to take you out,” Olivia said as Wyatt called them outside through the open porch window. He was heading to the beach with his two fishing rods in their holders.
Callie slipped her hands into the pockets of her shorts. Although stained with paint from painting the mailbox the other day, they were at least clean, since the only two appliances they had managed to order so far were the new washer and dryer. So while she couldn’t keep her drinks cold and was still eating restaurant food, at least she could feel fresh every morning by doing the wash, even if it always looked like she was wearing dirty clothes.
“He forgot his wallet and I had to pay for lunch,” she said. “So he invited me to dinner tomorrow night. I don’t entirely trust his motives yet. He wouldn’t take no for an answer, though. I wonder if he likes the chase.”
Olivia squinted her eyes in thought as they exited the back door after Wyatt. “Hard to tell.” She stepped over a pile of seashell mulching bags. “But he definitely makes for an easy view.” Olivia winked at Callie.
“That, he does.” She laughed. “I wasn’t prepared for going out. What am I going to wear?” The sand whipped around with the wind, blowing across the old gray boards of the walkway.
“Don’t worry. You can borrow that white sundress I bought. I’ve never worn it, and it cost me a ton. It would be nice for someone to get some use out of it.”
Callie had been with Olivia when she’d bought the dress. They’d shared a bottle of champagne, had their nails done, and spent all day shopping—an indulgent girls’ day. Olivia hadn’t been on a date since she and Wyatt’s father had split up. She’d finally agreed to go out with someone, but as she prepared—bought a new dress, got her hair cut and her nails done—she’d chickened out and cancelled. Wyatt’s father had let them down, and she didn’t want it to happen again. Not now that Wyatt’s heart could be broken too.
“Are you sure you want me to wear that one?” Callie had loved that dress, and when Olivia bought it, she’d been so glad that her friend had found something so lovely. It tied behind the neck, and flowed down very casually just above the knees. With some strappy sandals and big hoop earrings, it was adorable.
“Yes. I’m more than sure. It’s still in the garment bag with the tags on it. I was going to return it, but I just never did.”
“You’re a life saver,” Callie said, not wanting to dwell on the subject. It would only bring them around to Wyatt’s father, the whole reason dating was so hard for Olivia. She’d spent so many nights helping Olivia through the tears and the hurt during that time, and she knew her friend didn’t want to relive any part of it. They didn’t talk about him anymore, never mentioning his name unless he was coming to pick up Wyatt on the odd holiday.
She knew too well what a gaping hole a break up could cause. Callie had experienced it herself: Things had been going so well. She had bought a loft apartment in Richmond; she’d been promoted to senior manager of accounts at the marketing firm where she worked, and she’d started in a new department. It was there that Callie had met a guy—his name was Kyle; he was a graphic designer. He’d been considerate, mannerly, all the things she might look for, and she’d let herself fall for him.
There was one particular moment when she knew that she’d fallen hard. He’d made her laugh—he always did—but that time as she giggled, she could see a look in his eyes that she thought meant something. They’d dated just long enough for her to start to rethink her future, considering him in her life’s choices, when suddenly and completely unexpectedly, he’d broken it off.
He’d said he wasn’t ready for a long-term relationship. She thought back to the way he’d kept an extra blanket folded next to the pillow where she slept in his room because she always got cold and how he’d bought a coffee mug to keep in the cabinet just for her—he didn’t drink coffee. Callie had pored over every conversation, everything they’d done together, never once feeling that she’d put any pressure on him. They’d just progressed from one stage to another. But the day after he’d ended things, she saw him kissing their co-worker Sheila in the office parking lot, that same look on his face that she’d thought had been only for her. Sick with the weight of betrayal, unable to show up in the office and look them both in the eye, Callie had quit her job that day. She’d just called her boss and resigned.
So when Olivia told her their dream of owning the cottage could actually be a reality, Callie jumped at the chance, leaving her office career behind and investing her time and all her savings in The Beachcomber, where they could meet people from all over, sit out on the back porch with their coffees, and watch the sun rise over the Atlantic.
The Beachcomber was the fresh start she needed.
