Page 29 of Something New

“She walked away when you told her to go.” Ethan reminded him. “Maybe you two need to clear the air.”

Wyatt arched his eyebrow. “Should you really be giving advice, or taking it?”

Ethan gave a wry smile. “Touché. I’ll stay out of your love life if you stay out of mine. But talk to her.”

* * *

The guys came back with hamburgers from the Rusty Anchor for lunch, believing they had done the best they could at shoring up everything. The hotel had the rest under control. After all, the hotel had weathered a lot of storms, and this was no different. Since the girls had been busy all morning, it was decided that the afternoon was for fun. Anna didn’t hesitate. She changed into a bikini, grabbed a lounge chair and headed for the beach and some quiet time. And if she happened to avoid a certain appointment in town, well, that was just too bad.

She just couldn’t go to the Playhouse today, couldn’t talk with the kids about Hollywood. How could she be so positive about acting, about California, when she had so many doubts, so many negative feelings about herself? She didn’t want to destroy their dreams. Besides, she couldn’t face her mentor and the inevitable recriminations about Anna’s behavior and the rumors.

She stretched out on the chaise lounge, the heat of the sun beating down on her skin. She was just drifting off to sleep when a shadow fell across her, and she tilted her sunglasses down and glared up at Wyatt.

“You’re blocking the sun.”

“Don’t you have somewhere to be?” he demanded. “You promised Karen that you’d help her down at the community theater. She’s counting on you.”

“No, you promised I would be there. I said I would think about it.” She put her glasses back on and laid her head back on the pillow, praying Wyatt would leave.

A long moment passed, and the shadow never moved. “Are you really this selfish, Anna? Sitting here doing nothing when you could give back to the program that helped you get your start?”

She frowned, her gut clenching at his words. But she kept her face smooth and impassive, a skill she’d honed over the many years in Hollywood, not letting anyone see what she really felt, how words wounded and maimed.

“Wyatt, I have been working fourteen-hour days for the past several months. I’m exhausted and on vacation. And, the reality is, I’m not here for the theater but for Caroline. She’s already pissed that Brigid is working on her vacation. Can you imagine how she’d feel if I abandoned her, too?”

Wyatt glanced around at the empty beach. “How is this helping Caroline? Getting a suntan?”

“Yes, so I can look good for her wedding. And I’m only yards away from the house when she’s ready for me to help again with the party favors.”

Wyatt glanced past her toward the house. “Fine. You want to be selfish and not help anyone else, be that way. But you’re getting your wish. Caroline is on her way with work for you. I never thought you’d be this ungrateful.”

He turned on his heel and strode down the beach. Anna let out a relieved sigh, and her muscles loosened slightly. She couldn’t think when he was nearby, couldn’t talk to him like she used to. It was better this way, better for everyone if she stayed hidden at the house. If anyone saw her at the theater with the kids, who knew how that would go over on the internet, because no one would ever believe Anna Costado would help a community theater out of the niceness of her heart. They would spin it into something dark, dirty, and nasty, and the kids would be the ones damaged.

Another shadow fell over her, and Anna made a sound of frustration. “Wyatt, can’t you just leave me alone for five minutes?”

“It’s not Wyatt.”

Anna struggled to a sitting position. “Sorry, Caroline. I thought Wyatt was coming back to berate me some more.”

Caroline spread a towel on the sand and sat next to her, wrapping her arms around her knees. “This looked so inviting that I thought I’d join you for a little while. I could certainly use some natural sunlight.” She gestured to her white skin that never tanned, no matter how much she sat in the sun when they were in college.

Anna grinned. “I hope you brought sunscreen.”

They watched the waves roll gently onto the sand for several moments. “So, what did you say to put a bee in Wyatt’s bonnet?”

“Nothing.” Anna closed her eyes, hoping Caroline would take the hint and stop talking. But not Caroline. She was determined and focused, like a general.

“Does it have anything to do with Karen and the youth group you’re supposed to be helping with today?”

Anna’s eyes flew open, and she cursed quietly. “How did you know?”

“I spoke with Karen. Anna, you talk about how much you owe her. Well, this might be your last chance to pay her back. Do you really want to avoid her out of some petty issue?”

Anna pushed her glasses to the top of her head and sat up. “You don’t understand. I’m supposed to lie low this week, not be seen by anyone. Now, I can guarantee you people saw me Monday night, and those kids won’t be able to resist posting pictures and about me on social media. Or, they already know what a train wreck I am, and it’s going to be a disaster. I just can’t do it.”

Caroline’s eyes narrowed. “Anna Maria Costado. I never took you for a coward. You’ve been bitching about Delaney being too scared back when all her stuff went down, but what are you doing now? Cowering on the beach here, hiding, and not taking your own advice. Not only are you a coward, but you’re a hypocrite.”

Anna blinked back tears, stung by the fierceness of Caroline’s words. Then her face crumpled, and the tears fell anyway. “How can I face Karen after what I’ve done? What must she think of me?”

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