Page 86 of New Day at the Beach House

“When do you want to do all of this? How soon?”

Willie smiled, but there was a tentativeness in her expression. “Soon. Like next weekend.”

Roxie blinked. “That is soon. I guess if the restaurant can make it happen and we can find a priest and get the marriage license, the rest will be easy enough.”

“Miguel and I are going to get the marriage license this morning. Do you think you could call the restaurant for me? Oh, and talk to Claire about making us a cake? I’ll pay her, obviously. Doesn’t have to be anything too fancy, either. A beach theme might be nice.”

Roxie felt a little overwhelmed, but she nodded. “I can do that. What about a dress?”

“I want to go to that fancy boutique in town. Lady M’s. I know it’s expensive, but I’ve never been able to shop there because of money and now I can. I certainly don’t need a white dress, but I do want something pretty.”

“We can go after you get back from getting the license,” Roxie said. “We’ll have to get an Uber, because Trina will have the car.”

“Maybe I could come back as soon as I’m done and go with you? Please?” Trina grinned. “I would hate to miss out on wedding dress shopping with my Mimi.”

Roxie smiled. “Of course you can. We need you there. Why don’t you text us when you get there and see how much work you have to do? Then you can maybe estimate a time to be home.”

“Okay, perfect.”

Roxie pressed her hands against her knees. “Well, we have a busier day ahead of us than I had anticipated. Let’s get some breakfast going so we can get started.”

“I can help,” Trina said.

“No, that’s okay.” Roxie pushed to her feet. “I’m going to get the bacon started, then scramble some eggs and make some toast. Nothing fancy. You keep working. In fact, if you finish the salon stuff, you can start a list of wedding things for your grandmother. That will help a lot.”

“I can do that,” Trina said. She got her notebook out. “All right, Mimi. Let’s write down everything that needs to be done.”

Roxie went inside. She still needed to shower, but she’d have time to do that after they ate. Trina would be at least a few hours. Roxie got the bacon out. She couldn’t believe her mother was getting married.

Except she could. Willie loved being married. It was a familiar state that she thrived in. For the most part. She’d had her share of divorces, too, but Roxie had a feeling that wasn’t going to be the case this time.

Married. Roxie shook her head. She really hadn’t expected her mother to do it again. Not at this point in her life.

But Willie clearly knew what she wanted. And who.

Roxie could only hope to be that sure about her own life someday.

Kat was dressed to walk on the beach, but she wasn’t quite ready yet. She went out to the back porch and looked toward the street. From this angle, in the light of day, she could see Ray’s car. It was still parked on the opposite side of the street, waiting for him to show up and drive it home.

Kat really wanted a word with him before he left. Maybe it wasn’t the smartest thing to do, but she knew Ray. He’d be humble and contrite this morning. He’d listen. At least that’s what she expected, since he’d also be hungover.

She only needed enough time to get it through his head that they were done. And she planned to do that by giving him his ring back. If that didn’t underline just how over things were between them, there was no hope for the man.

As she was watching, a car pulled up. She leaned forward, trying to see better. Was that Ray getting out of the back? It was. And he looked awful.

She ran to her bedroom and grabbed the engagement ring from the ceramic box on her dresser, then hustled down the steps and toward the street. “Ray.”

At the sound of his name, he turned, squinting against the sun. Dark circles shadowed his eyes. He looked haggard. He hadn’t shaved, which didn’t help.

She held the ring out, pinched between her two fingers. “Here. Take this with you.”

His miserable expression got a little worse as he realized what she was holding. “I don’t want that.”

“Neither do I.” She stopped a few feet away from him. They were both standing in the middle of the street. “Just take it. Consider it a reminder that we are done.”

He blinked, staring at the ring.

“You do know that, right? That you can’t come back here? That you can’t call me or text me anymore? That there’s no reason for us to talk?”

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