Page 25 of The House on Firefly Beach
“Yes!” she replied happily. “A Sea Ray will do. A nice big yacht.”
“Which one of us is going to buy that big yacht first?”
“You will,” she’d told him without hesitation, and it was at that moment that she’d noticed something shift in his expression, almost as if he didn’t trust her suggestion. Or maybe he’d already considered leaving her by then… She remembered thinking that she’d only been kidding with the whole idea anyway, so why had he become so serious? His look and the fact that she couldn’t decipher it had scared her, and she’d let the conversation die on the wind. Well, he might have doubted it at the time, but her guess had been dead-on. She hoped he hadn’t purchased the boat just to prove a point—that would be a very expensive way to tell her she was right.
“What are you thinking about?” Nate asked, pulling her from her memory.
“I’ve got my towel!” Robby came running toward them, ripping through the moment. When he got to Sydney, he asked, “You coming?”
There was nothing left to do but grab her swimsuit and climb aboard.
Chapter Nine
When Sydney stepped aboard the yacht, Juliana was in a string bikini and sunglasses, lying on a towel at the back of the vessel. As she neared her, Sydney took in her perfect red pedicure that matched her swimsuit, the rounded softness of her knee on her flawless leg that was bent, her foot flat on the towel, her long dark hair fanned out around her, puddling at the nape of her neck in picture-perfect waves. She looked so different than she had at the wellness center and even at the wedding. Her body was made for this, and her star power was undeniable, making Sydney suddenly nervous as she realized for the first time that she was in the presence of a superstar. Juliana’s stillness and relaxed appearance were hypnotizing.
She turned her head slowly and then popped up, pulling small wireless headphones out of her ears. “Sorry,” she said, a slight accent still present even after so many years living in California. “I didn’t hear you walk up.”
She swung her legs around and scooted to the edge of the platform, hopping off of it, every part of her body in impeccable form as she moved about the boat. She placed a large hat over her hair—the brim of it covered her face down to her sunglasses—and sat on the bench to pick up a cocktail that had been resting in one of the cup holders. She stirred around the melted ice before evidently reconsidering and placing the drink back into its spot.
“I’m Sydney.” She tried to keep her nerves down as she held out her hand to Juliana, willing it to remain steady.
“Yes,” Juliana said, her dainty fingers gripping Sydney’s hand briefly but warmly. “It’s so nice to finally meet you. Nathan speaks very highly of you.”
“Oh?” Sydney sat down beside Juliana. “That’s… interesting.” What had he told Juliana?
“He was so happy to get back to Firefly Beach to see you.”
“Is that so?”
“He adores you,” Juliana said with a smile that showed off her bright white teeth.
Clearly, he hadn’t divulged his true feelings. He couldn’t have, given Juliana’s reaction.
“Are you all right?” Juliana asked.
This was ridiculous. She couldn’t just sit there next to Juliana, knowing all the things Nate had told her, and act like everything was just peachy. “Sort of,” she said, unsure of how to answer the question.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Juliana tilted her head, her eyes curious.
Besides not understanding this odd relationship you have with my ex?Her heart pattered fiercely in her chest—a mix of nerves and awkwardness.
Juliana seemed as befuddled as Sydney was with this conversation.
It was time to get some answers once and for all. “This is a weird question, but are you and Nate… dating?” she asked.
Juliana broke eye contact, her gaze moving to the floor of the boat nervously. “Uh…” she looked over at Nate through her lashes. “No.” The answer came out quickly and quietly as if she didn’t want anyone to hear.
Juliana’s response surprised Sydney. What was going on?
“Mama!” Robby said, running down the boat. “Nate has his fishing rod and he said that we could fish once we anchor out in the water!” Despite his excitement, she noticed his slight trepidation when his eyes moved to Nate, and she guessed that their shared interests were driving her son to accept the fact that Nate could fill something for him that hadn’t been there since Ben left. It made Sydney queasier than a day at sea.
“That’s exciting!” she said, ignoring her own baggage, genuinely happy to see her son so enthusiastic.
“I’ll let you drive the boat, if you want, Robby,” Nate said to him, as he took a seat at the wheel. “Your mom just has to help me out of the sand.”
Sydney looked over at Nate and they shared a moment of reminiscence, making her smile despite everything. His face lit up at the sight of her, and for an instant, the fondness in his eyes, the heat of the sun, and the salty air, made her feel like she was in her twenties again. Robby climbed up onto Nate’s lap, breaking the spell, but she couldn’t pull her gaze from the two of them together. The rush of emotions made her need a minute.
“You’re going to just hold the wheel like this,” Nate told Robby. Robby gripped the silver wheel of the yacht. “Yep, just like that. I’m going down onto the sand to help your mom. I’ll be right back up.”
