Page 31 of Tell It To The Waves

I look at her and at the empty storefront behind her, the one I took a picture of the for-sale sign yesterday.

“Listen, it would be perfect for you to start your business; we don’t have an actual bakery here.” She smiles at me.

Standing there not moving, my face probably portraying what I’m thinking, she’s nuts. And I can’t help but laugh.

“What?” Her hands find her hips, cocking her head. “It’s been for sale for a while. The owner hasn’t said yes to anyone. Maybe there was a reason for that.” Bay grins.

With it finally light out, I can see inside. “I’m not ready for that step yet. I have so much to get done before I can actually do what I want. First up is August Cove, going on the market. Then,” I turn to her, “once I’m settled somewhere, I can think about opening up my own bakery. But thank you for bringing me to see it.” Reaching my arms out, she comes in for the hug.

“Why are you so damn hardheaded?” she mumbles into my hair before pulling away.

I stare into her blue eyes, framed by mascaraed eyelashes. “I don’t think that’s the plan for me. I’m not supposed to be here, anyway.” I raise my shoulders, letting them drop.

Baylee squinches her freckled, speckled nose. “Eww. Don’t say that.” Her hands roam to her lace-covered belly and pats it.

“No fair.” I laugh at her, and she gives me a winning smile. “The only reason I’ll step foot back on Driftwood Bay, once this is all done, is because of that baby.” But I hope I won’t have to. Maybe Bay and I can find neutral ground.

Bay lifts up her red-tinted eyebrow. “Reword that right now.”

“Let’s make a plan for you to come see me. I’ll have my apartment for a little while still.”

Reaching for me, Bay pulls me to her. “I just got you back.”

“And I’m staying around. I promise.” I truly mean those words.

She tightens her hold on me, finally releasing me. “Get back home to Luna.” Her eyes are glassy, but she doesn’t let them spill over.

“I love you, Baylee.”

“I love you, too.” And those words are the absolute truth. I want to stop and ask her how she can still love me, but I don’t. Because I know and why she loved me for all this time, even when I was just a memory to her.

CHAPTER TWELVE

The sun beats down on me while I’m standing a few feet away from the ocean, watching the waves roll in and vanish. “I’m confused. What am I supposed to do?” I’m able to speak my truth out here, letting the waves take it away. “Bye, Driftwood Bay.”

Turning around, eyes on the sand, I feel someone watching me. Stopping in my tracks when I spot the figure on the stairs watching me. I don’t have to walk closer to know who it is; I’d know him from anywhere, no matter how much time has passed. Bohdi.

Blowing out a breath, I continue my trek back to the cottage. Before stepping up the first stairs, I look up at him, as he’s looking down on me. Our eyes connect, and for just a moment, it’s him and me.

I finally break the tension. “Can I help you?” My words crawl out with anger. Anger from last night and how he acted. How I acted. How I ended my night on the sofa. Thinking about him.

Bohdi holds up papers. “I thought you’d want the paper contract you signed.”

Glaring at him as I take each step up, closing the space between us, I reach out and grab the papers, but he doesn’t letgo, only pulls his hand toward him, forcing me up the step and closer to him.

“I’m sorry about last night.” His eyebrows crease together.

“It was the perfect send-off for me, Bohdi. Truly shows me that there is nothing here for me.” I tinge the words with a bit of acid in them, and I watch him inch back a bit, letting go of his hold on the papers. Feeling joy for sparking something inside him.

Waving the papers, “You could have saved yourself a trip. I didn’t need these. I have the document saved.” I step around him up the two stairs and into the cottage, leaving him standing alone on the deck.

Making sure all the lights are off, I grab my bag, tote, and quilt. Saying goodbye to the place that shaped me. Letting the front door close lock behind me. Inching to my car, I leave Bohdi where I left him.

As I’m walking around to my driver door, Bohdi comes off the front porch, hands in his pockets. I don’t say a word as I get into my car, starting it and driving up the driveway, glancing back, seeing him in my rearview mirror, still watching me as I go.

Once turned onto the main road, I feel like I have my oxygen back. Being in his vicinity fucks with my body. It screams at me to go to him; he was my comfort for so long, but then my mind has to remind it that he’s pain. Pain that still lingers in the depths, that likes to have a flare-up randomly.

My eyes scan Main Street on my way to the ferry, letting them linger while I take my time down the road. Turning my neck and staring out of my passenger window as I pass the empty storefront, I watch it for way too long. When a horn blares at me. Hurriedly hitting my brakes, pivoting myself forward, my eyes connect to the silver Mercedes I almost hit. The window rolls down and I’m met with Molly, who’s grimacing at me. Isee her mouth open but can’t hear what she is saying. Finally moving out of the way, I go over the speed limit to get to the ferry faster now.