Page 38 of The Magic of Sea Glass
He took her in for a moment, his lips turning upward just slightly. “Because I’ve only known you a few days and I already want you to be happy.”
A flutter of exhilaration took hold of her chest. “Why?” she asked softly.
“From what I can see, behind all that silence, there’s a very compassionate person.”
For the first time in an incredibly long time, it felt as if someone could actually see her. “Thank you,” she said, deciding that maybe opening up to the right person might actually be therapeutic. She took a moment to take a mental snapshot of him right then so that she could draw on it when things worried her. It was definitely a moment worth remembering.
When she emerged from this small shift in thinking, his gaze was on her in a way that made her wonder if she would be strong enough to resist if he made a move. It was undoubtedly the wine weakening her resolve, and if she gave in she’d surely be upset with herself in the morning.
“I should probably get you home,” he said.
Was he thinking the same thing?
“Yes,” she agreed as she settled into the delicious feeling that had come over her tonight, wondering how long she could hold on to it.
TEN
“How was dinner last night?” Mary asked as Lauren helped her set up the coffee station in the lobby the next morning after they’d split the supervision of the cleaning staff.
“It was actually really nice.” It had felt like decades, not years, since she’d been able to be herself, and last night, a small piece of her soul had returned. She was glad, however, that she hadn’t made any moves with Brody. That could’ve really impacted her professional life, and she’d never forgive herself for that. It was good to know that even under the spell of alcohol, she had her wits about her.
“I’m delighted to hear that.” Mary handed her a stack of paper napkins, and Lauren placed them next to the silver coffee urn.
A few people were gathered in the lobby, so Mary ushered them over.
Lauren stacked the white coffee mugs on the linen tablecloth next to the window, her to-do list running through her mind. She wanted to try to plan a budget for the mints and flowers she’d talked with Mary about for the rooms, and Stephanie was stopping by soon to begin going over all the details of the wedding. Lauren would also need to tell Stephanie about the TV offer. And she had to hurry because Dave would certainly be calling since she hadn’t given the green light for production of the pilot yet. Knowing him, he’d show up, contract and pen in one hand and his camera in the other. The whole idea of it made her want to crawl back into bed. “Are you going to be okay out here for a little bit while I work on a few things?”
“Yes, dear. Of course.”
“All right, then. I’ll be in your office. I’ve got to find a dress online for the big day and I’m planning to organize the space for you, by the way.” She’d barely finished speaking before Mary was already happily chatting with a couple from Colorado.
Lauren headed down the hallway with purpose. There was a lot to do to get ready for this wedding, including getting started on renovations to the inn as soon as possible. Having not spoken to Brody about her plans last night—since she’d been instructed not to talk about work—she decided to make use of the personal cell phone number he’d given her when he dropped her off last night. She dialed it to run a few of her ideas by him.
“Hello?” he answered, his voice staticky and far away. A tingle of happiness ran through her at the sound of his voice.
“Hi, it’s Lauren.”
“Oh, hey.” The wind rustled through the line, loud in her ear. “I’m on the boat, getting ready to dock. Everything okay?”
“Yes,” she replied. “I wanted to talk to you about some work I have in mind.”
“All right, I’ll come over after.”
She reminded herself not to get too attached to his kindness. He was like that with everyone. “Thank you.”
“Yep. See you soon.”
As she hung up, she thought about the fact that Brody had stayed up, talking to her after Stephanie left, and then driven her the twenty-minute ride home, when he clearly had to work early the next day. He’d never even mentioned it. Then her mind went back to the way she’d responded to him when they’d first met. She had no idea then that he had such a kind heart. She was indeed lucky to have met good, decent people here.
* * *
Summer, 1959
Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina
“I’ll marry you,” Penelope said as she stood in front of her childhood best friend, Joseph Barnes, on the old fishing dock behind the little shack her parents owned.
He’d been asking her for months, and she knew that he didn’t expect her to suddenly agree, out of nowhere, so she braced herself for the response. She thought that perhaps he’d jump for joy or throw his arms around her and knock her down in manic laughter, but instead he turned to her, his brows pulled together, with that love for her radiating through every feature on his face.
