Page 27 of Saltwater Memories
He leaned forward. “Please – I’d love to hear more.”
It was a long story, but one that Will appreciated. Jade was much more soft-spoken than Amanda, but seemed more outgoing. Or at least, she offered information more readily. It sounded like she had her hands full with this park, and with her position as head of the committee.
“Were you appointed by the county council?” he asked, sitting back. “Because I’ve already made some enemies there.”
Jade laughed. “I wouldn’t worry about that too much. They’re prickly with newcomers. Let me know if I can help.”
“Oh – thank you. I really appreciate that.”
Jade smiled. “I’m going to go to the restroom – be right back.”
When she was gone from the table, Morgan leaned forward. “So this is awkward, but we all live together andtechnically, Jade doesn’t know that Amanda is thinking of selling the house, so please don’t say anything.”
Will’s eyes darted between them. “Oh – well I’m glad that I didn’t bring it up.”
Amanda leaned in. “I mean – it’s not – it’s just something that – ”
“It’s okay Amanda, you don’t have to explain yourself to me,” he said gently.
She smiled, looking over her shoulder. “I’m still figuring things out.”
“Maybe I could stop by and see the place sometime? Brainstorm some ideas together?”
“You know what,” said Morgan, “Jade and I actually have plans tomorrow afternoon, so she’ll be out of the house. Tomorrow might be good?”
Amanda let out a sigh. “I mean, I don’t know if Will has time for that.”
“I have time. Just tell me when.”
She sighed, hesitating again before answering. “All right. Then…five?”
“Perfect.”
He didn’t have long to chat with her after that, because Amanda finished her drink and announced that they needed to get going. She seemed to be in a good mood – better than she’d been on the ferry, at least. Maybe she was finally warming up to him?
The next day, he arrived at her house at five o’clock, as agreed. Amanda met him at the door.
“Welcome to my humble abode,” she said as she opened the door.
He took a step back to take the property in. “This is gorgeous. Do you have neighbors?”
“Not really, we’ve got three acres of woods around us. Nothing crazy, but it’s nice.”
“This is great, and so private. Thanks again for having me over.”
“Of course. Come on in.”
The house wasn’t huge, but it was modern enough and well-maintained. Amanda led him around, first through the living room and kitchen, then down the hallway to the bedrooms.
In the hallway he paused, catching sight of a wall of picture frames. Some were older pictures – obviously of Amanda when she was younger, along with someone he assumed was her brother. Some were more recent and had Jade, Morgan, and a bunch of other people he didn’t recognize.
“I’m guessing this big, scary looking guy is your dad?” he asked.
“Yep.” She laughed. “That’s him, the source of all my charm.”
Will smiled. He thought she was incredibly charming. He was about to walk away when another picture caught his eye. It looked like…a mug shot? “Who’s that?”
Amanda grabbed the frame off of the wall. “Oh – no one. It’s just a joke that my dad likes to play. He prints out mug shots from work. He, uh, thinks it’s funny to replace pictures with them. To see if we notice.”
