Page 6 of Sweet Escape at Bayside
She lowered her eyes.
“Why, Daisy? That’s all I want to know. Why did you take off like we meant nothing?”
She kicked at the sand, her mouth twitching like she wanted to say something, but either didn’t want to or she couldn’t.
He leaned closer so she had no choice but to look at him, andwow, that was a mistake. The vulnerability in her eyes, thinly veiled by a mask of strength, nearly brought him to his knees. He tried to push those feelings down deep, as he’d been doing for what felt like forever, and said, “I’ve only ever seen you speechless once before, and the next morning you were gone.” He couldn’t help but add sarcastically, “Will I be so lucky tomorrow?”
“I live here,” she said with narrowed eyes.
“Yeah? For what? A week? A month? Two?”
She looked over her shoulder at all the people on the beach, and her expression warmed. “This ishome.”
Home?Boy, he’d like to pick at that word like a raven on roadkill. Violet didn’t know what the wordhomemeant. But if she was staying for a week, a month, or longer, then this was his chance to get some answers and finally get the closure he needed to move on with his life.
She cleared her throat before turning back to him, the warmth gone from her expression. “How long are you staying?”
“Again, not that it’s any of your business, but I was invited to stay for a month, until I leave for my next project.”
“Amonth?” She shook her head. “You and Lizza cannot stay here for a month.”
He arched a brow. “Oh, but we can. It’s already been arranged, and I’ve already committed to volunteering at a local clinic. I’m not about to let them down. And you know what else? Ilikeit here. The sand, the sea, the people I’ve met. Chloe seemsespeciallyinteresting. Did you know she works in health care? This might be just the break I need to clear my head ofold distractions.” It pained him to speak of their love like that, but not nearly as much as it hurt to see the ache in her eyes.
He looked away so as not to get sucked in again and caught sight of Lizza watching them. He waved and forced a smile. “If you’ll excuse me, Dai”—he caught himself before the endearment slipped out; the first step in moving on was letting it go—“Violet.I believe my date wants to introduce me to her friends.”
Chapter Two
NEVER IN HER life had Violet imagined being jealous of the woman who had wrenched her away from the only people she’d ever felt connected to. But here she sat, nestled in the lap of the green-eyed monster, as her mother hung on the arm of the only man Violet had ever loved. She tried to distract herself from the obvious by focusing on Drake and Rick, playing guitars and singing sappy songs as Desiree danced with Serena, Emery, and Mira beneath the twinkling lights they’d strung above the patio of the inn. But that was like trying not to breathe, because just across the lawn Lizza stood beside Andre, who was holding Hadley, Daphne’s baby girl, while they chatted with Daphne and Chloe. Daphne was the very cute, verysingleoffice manager for Bayside Resort. Her daughter was the most serious baby Violet had ever seen. Her little brows were always furrowed, and she rarely smiled for anyone, and yet there she was, cooing in Andre’s arms. There must be an aphrodisiac in the air tonight, because not only were Lizza and Hadley mooning over the prominent Boston pediatrician, but Chloe and Daphne were hanging on his every word, too.
Could life get any worse?
Cosmos darted out from under the table and ran toward Andre.Even the stupid dog?
“What do you think, Vi?” Gavin said as he took the seat beside her. He’d ditched his tie, his sleeves were pushed up, and his glassy eyes told her he’d had a few drinks. He was a good guy. He’d recently moved to the Cape from Boston and partnered with Serena in opening Mallery and Wheeler Interior Design. “Is your mom crazy good in bed, or does Andre just have a thing for cougars?”
Maybe she’d have to reevaluate thegood guythought.
She glanced at the other end of the table, where Matt was holding Holly as she slept. Hagen leaned sleepily against his side as Matt talked quietly with Dean. They were otherwise occupied, but close enough to hear her speak. Biting her tongue wasn’t something Violet was used to—or good at—but she’d do darn near anything to make sure Desiree’s wedding was everything her sister had ever hoped for. Including being sober on the one night when she deserved to be blitzed out of her mind.
“You know what I think?” Gavin asked. “I think if he plays his cards right he can trade in your mother for Chloe. She’s all over him.”
“Yeah, and one touch away from getting her hands broken,” Violet mumbled as she pushed to her feet.
“Vi!” Desiree rushed toward her, but Rick swept an arm around his new wife’s waist, hauling her in for a kiss. Everyone cheered, causing Andre and the others to head their way.
Crap.
Violet couldn’t stomach another minute of Andre and Lizza’s ridiculously happy togetherness. She headed for her cottage.
Desiree caught up to her and said, “Are you okay?”
“Of course. I just have some stuff to take care of.”
“Vi…?” She sounded worried.
Violet stopped walking and feigned a smile. “What’s up, Des? I’ll be back to help clean up. Don’t worry.”
“Clean up?” Desiree’s brow wrinkled. “You’ve been acting weird all night. Does seeing Lizza with that guy bother you?”
