Page 82 of Saltwater Memories
Chapter 30
The weekend was not off to a promising start. Amanda spent Saturday locked in her room trying to catch up on work, but ended up spending most of her time procrastinating.
Then the rain that plagued the island all week carried into Sunday morning. Amanda initially thought that she might go for a hike to clear her head, but she was notoutdoorsy enough to brave the rain. That was more of a Jade move.
Amanda rolled over in bed, wondering what it would be like to spend the entire day there. She’d never done anything like that before – was now the time to start? It could be a new hobby for her – lying in bed. Maybe she’d get into reading again.
No. She could read outside of bed. Not that shewould,but she could.
At least she had the excitement of a job interview next week. That would be something, surely. Just something to look forward to, something to keep her getting up in the morning.
With Amanda’s packed schedule of nothingness, Morgan was easily able to convince her to help at the barn at Saltwater Cove. Apparently, someone had booked a last-minute engagement party and Margie needed help setting up.
Morgan had a client meeting, but sent Amanda off to get coffee for everyone that would be joining them at the barn.
When she got there, it looked deserted. She approached the barn slowly – it looked like all of the lights were off.
Amanda carefully opened a side door and slipped in, grateful to be out of the rain. It seemed that Morgan and Jade hadn’t yet managed to get there. Not even Margie was there yet.
That was okay – Amanda would get started early. She liked working alone, and she enjoyed solitude.
She set the coffees down as she fumbled around, looking for the light switch, when the barn suddenly lit up. Had she bumped the switch by accident?
No, it wasn’t the overhead lights that had turned on. It was the bistro lights, softly illuminating all that was beneath it.
A breath caught in her throat. The barn was decorated magnificently, with hundreds of flowers – white tulips, pink tinged lilies and rows of lavender. Music started playing over the speakers.
Amanda’s pulse quickened – was this some sort of trap?
“Hello?” she called out, her voice small.
“At Last”rose from the speakers, Etta James’ voice ringing out…
Her jaw dropped. In the middle of the dance floor stood Will, dressed in a tuxedo and his masquerade mask.
“Hey. I’m glad you made it.”
Amanda looked around. “Will? I don’t – ”
“We never got to finish our dance,” he said, offering his hand. “Would you mind?”
She was either completely losing her mind, or she’d been tricked. Amanda wasn’t sure which was worse. Despite this internal debate, she found herself drifting toward Will, and he stepped forward to take her hand.
He pulled her in, placing his other hand on her waist. It was all too familiar, the warmth of his touch, the smell of his cologne. She was tempted to rest her head on his shoulder, but resisted.
“I like what you did with the place,” she said.
“Thanks. I thought you might.”
“What is this, though? Are you still stalking me?”
He smiled. “I told you – I just wanted to finish our dance. That was the night everything fell apart, wasn’t it? So maybe we can start again.”
“Itwaswhen everything started to fall apart,” she said, biting her lip. “I never should’ve agreed to go to that ball. I’m sorry that I did.”
He pulled away, cocking his head slightly. “Why?”
“Because that’s when Lenny made the connection. And I told you about him, but I didn’t tell you enough, and then – ”
