Page 55 of Sea La Vie
“No, Lainey. That’s not it at all.”
I walk back over to him and wrap my arms around his neck. Even though he’s two years younger than me, he’s taller than me by a foot. When I bury my face in his chest, he wraps his arms around me and pats me lightly on the back. “You don’t understand how hard it is for me to watch you go out thereevery morning by yourself.” I stay silent, knowing what I’m doing isn’t safe. I can’t argue with him. “I literally have to watch you through that window while you load up the boat and leave the harbor every morning…alone.” He points through the big windows that overlook Water Street and the harbor. “And every morning, I hope and pray that you’ll come back alive.” He pulls back and searches me with those eyes that are so much like our mothers. “Please don’t go back out there alone.”
Huck looks so sad, so earnest, that for a minute, I almost cave. But then I look right into his eyes, and it’s almost like I’m looking into Mom’s for a moment, and it reminds me why I’m doing this in the first place.
“I’ve really got to run, Huck.” I squeeze his big hands in mine and give him a weak smile. Then I jog toward the door.
“Don’t you want your cash for the night?” He’s been paying me under the table when I pick up shifts for him.
“Keep it,” I holler back, never feeling right about taking his money anyway.
The door jingles as I step out into the night air. I take a big breath, then head for the docks, wondering if Tate has waited for me.
“Where else would he go? Of course he waited for me,” I mutter to myself, feeling a smile creep up my face. Just thinking of Tate makes me want to kick my feet and squeal like I did back in middle school when I taped a Justin Bieber poster to my ceiling.
I didn't think love was in the cards for me, considering I didn’t have many options in a town this small. And I had come to terms with it. Besides, my brothers and dad needed me way more than I needed to worry about finding love and settling down. Until Tate came back.
Tate with his perfectly combed brown hair, his jokes that always seem to put a smile on my face, his tall frame and broadshoulders that are a stark contrast to his clumsiness, and his glasses that he wears when he’s fresh out of the shower that make me catch my breath.
I stop and stare up at the fireflies dancing around me and can’t help but twirl around, just once. If this is what love is, I don’t ever want this feeling to go away. This feeling of radiance, joy, happiness…it's unlike anything I’ve ever felt. And if this isn't what love is, then I think I'm okay never experiencing it. Because what could be better than this?
I'm passing where Tate’s staying when I hear a loud squeal. I stop, momentarily stunned that someone else is out at the time of night too. Then, my heart drops. Because standing right in front of the door is Tate with another woman. Abeautifulwoman. And from the looks of it, they’re kissing.
23
Tate
“Liv? What are you doing here?” I ask, my bottom jaw hinged open.
Liv is standing before me in a red sundress and wedges that probably cost more than most people’s vehicles in this town. She looks me up and down, her eyebrows scrunched together, no doubt noting my second hand flip-flops and khaki shorts. She gives a small shake of her head and says, “Oh, you know, I was just passing through.”
I stare at her, daring her to lie any further. “Come on, Liv.”
“Okay, okay. I tracked you.” She holds up her phone and gives a sheepish smile. “Remember that time I met you at a new restaurant downtown and you sent me your location? Turns out I can still see it.”
“That’s…unnerving,” I say, scratching the back of my neck. “Why did you track me?”
Liv gives a one shouldered shrug, then brings her hands together in front of her chest.
“I miss you. I want you to come back home.”Home.I know she’s talking about my condo downtown and the bustling streets of Charlotte, but I don’t get that warm gushy feeling when I think about it.
Instead, I feel a weight drop in my stomach; the thought of going back to the city makes me want to plant my feet right here in the sand of Widow’s Wharf Beach and refuse to leave. Charlotte is a great city…but it’s not home.
I’ve never felt like any place was home until now, right here in this one stoplight town with its crazy pirate traditions, nosy people, and weird weather.
“I’m not coming back.” I slowly shake my head, hoping she takes no for an answer and leaves without causing a scene. Though, knowing Liv’s antics lately, I have a feeling she won’t.
“You still have a job, Tate.” She challenges me by planting her hands on her hips and arching a perfectly manicured eyebrow. “And, we’re getting married.”
I snort. “We are most definitelynotgetting married. In case you forgot, I caught you slobbering all over your yoga teacher.”
Livs cheeks tinge pink, and she bites her lip. “It was a one time thing.”
“A one time thing, huh? I thought it was six months.” I try to find some kind of emotion since I know I’m being lied to, but the truth is, I’mgladit worked out this way. I turn to start heading toward the docks. I'm sure Lainey is waiting on me now, wondering where I am.
“Okay, so I made a mistake! I'm really sorry, Tate. Really, truly sorry. When you left, I realized I made the worst decision of my life. Please come home.” I turn around to find her doe-eyed, her bottom lip trembling.
I hate seeing her cry. I hate seeinganyonecry. I know what she’s doing and she knows she’s found my weak spot. With a heavy sigh, I turn around, enveloping her in a hug. “Please don’tcry. You know we never really loved each other, Liv. You're going to find someone incredible who loves you more than anything in the world. But I'm staying here. I'll come back for my things eventually, butthisis home now.” I gesture around to the empty streets of Widow’s Wharf. Liv scrunches her face up in disgust and shudders, then leans her head into my chest, and I feel her tears soak into my cotton tee. I glance around us. Thank goodness these streets are deserted, or someone may get the wrong impression.
