Page 8 of #Resort Romance
“He passed away five years ago. Heart attack,” she said solemnly. “It was a total shock, but up until then, we had been pretty close. After the divorce, he only moved about fifteen minutes away, so we saw each other a lot. And after a while, he and my mom could be in the same room with each other without arguing.”
“Damn, Kelsey, I’m so sorry.” He reached for her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
“Thanks. I miss him like crazy, but I have peace knowing we were always in a good place. No regrets except I wish we’d had more time.”
“I can only imagine. Damn.”
“Do you mind if we change the subject?” she asked, keeping her gaze straight ahead.
“Not at all.” He paused. “If there are canoes down there, would you like to take one out?”
Looking up at him, she grinned. “Are you sure? The last time we did that, we tipped it over three times. And we’re not in our bathing suits, so…maybe we save that for another day?”
His laugh was low and so very masculine. The grown-up version of Jayce Nash was so much more than she ever imagined. The dark hair, dark beard, and the piercing blue eyes with the little crinkles at the corner…Kelsey could still clearly see the boy she had grown up with, but the man he now was? He was even more appealing.
Jayce was still holding her hand and it felt like the most natural thing in the world—which was weird since they hadn’t seen each other for thirteen years. Back then, it was exciting to have a summer boyfriend. Whenever they went back home, they kept in touch, but they each dated people they went to school with. Geography definitely didn’t help them, but at the time, it didn’t seem like a big deal. In her heart, she knew that Jayce was always the one for her.
Until he wasn’t.
That first summer he didn’t come with his parents, she was crushed. Then their calls and texts became less frequent until they eventually just stopped.
We were just kids, she’d tell herself. There was no way they were serious about each other; after all, they weren’t even exclusive.
That didn’t make her teenage heart break any less.
So now here they were, and it was nice.
Very nice.
It was still chaste and sweet and…so exactly what she needed today.
“What are your plans for dinner tonight?” he asked after several quiet moments.
“Um…I’m not really sure yet. What about you?”
“Dinner up at the lodge. It’s tradition,” he said with a hint of amusement. “Personally, I was hoping for something a little different, but it’s what my grandparents want, so…that’s what we’re doing.”
“It’s really sweet how they still love this place after all these years and they want to keep the traditions. I know you might not think it’s a big deal, but one day those traditions are just memories and you miss them.” The wistful sigh was out before she could stop it.
“Are you thinking about your dad? I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you again. I…”
“It’s okay, Jayce. Really. And I wasn’t thinking about my dad specifically. Being back here after so many years is just a reminder of all the hopes and dreams I used to have. It’s crazy how a place can hold so many memories—good and bad—and yet because it was such a big part of my childhood…” Pausing, Kelsey shook her head. “I don’t even know what I’m trying to say. Sorry.”
He squeezed her hand. “No need to apologize. I get what you’re saying. I’m making light of the whole thing, but the truth is, this place was a big deal for me too. I think of all the people we used to hang out with who are still friends to this day.”
Looking up at him, she asked, “You still keep in touch with everyone?”
“Um…not everyone,” he began, stopping to think. “But I do still talk to Axel, Conner, Milo, Slater, and Walker.” Another pause. “Yeah, I think that’s it.”
“You still talk to Walker and he never mentioned that his grandparents were closing this place down?”
Shaking his head, he replied, “Nope. We were talking sports the last time—the Stanley Cup playoffs—and the last time he mentioned this place, it was a while ago and it was just a casual mention.” He shrugged. “I guess it is kind of strange that it didn’t come up.”
“I’m so curious about what’s going to happen to all of this.” They reached the docks, and there were canoes over to one side and paddleboats on another. “Ooh…they all look fairly new! I don’t remember the paddleboats, do you?”
He shook his head again. “No, but I have a feeling the same rules would apply to us. We aren’t dressed for the risk of landing in the water.”
Laughing, she had to agree. “Well, drats. It’s so peaceful out here; it seems like a shame to not be on the water.”
