Page 47 of Tell It To The Waves

Hastily wiping my face, I make my way to her waiting figure.

One look at me and she can see that something is wrong. “Are you okay?”

With a headshake, “no,” comes out so brokenly.

Bay’s eyes scan me for injuries, but she can’t see what’s truly injured.

“Come in.” She pulls me by the hand, leading me inside to her sofa. “Sit.” She disappears and reappears with a bottle of water.

Falling next to me, she asks, “What’s wrong, August? You’re worrying me.”

I let out a harsh laugh. “I called and got an appointment to look at the store on Main Street.” I see her stiffen at my words.

“Oh, August.”

“Why didn’t you tell me he owned it?” I look at her.

Positioning herself better on the sofa, “I wanted to, but I didn’t know how you’d take it. Telling you your ex-fiancé bought a bakery after you left and has given no one a chance to buy it. Ididn’t want to scare you off. And I didn’t think you’d reach out, either.”

My composure breaks. “He told me there isn’t anything here for me anymore, Baylee. God, he’s right, but how he said it was so mean. I hurt him, and I know that, but I can’t take it back. But I’m here now. And I want to stay,” I tell her honestly, the first time I’ve voiced that I truly want to stay here…for good.

Bay grabs my hand. “Then stay. You’re wanted here, August. Kai and I want you here; my baby wants their aunt here. You know I don’t have family; you’re my family. We want you here. And if a bakery is what you’re looking for, we’ll find you one. Hell, all it takes is a few ovens to call a place a bakery.” Her eyes reflect how true every word she spoke is.

Breathing in deeply, “I didn’t know it would be this hard to come back.”

“Hey, the best things are hard. Believe me, I know.” She rubs her belly with her other hand, smiling at me.

Nodding my head and sniffling, “I can’t let him run me out of town.”

“You’re not going anywhere. You’re going to tell Mrs. Williams to stick her listing up her ass. Tell Bohdi he’s an asshole and shoot Molly the bird the next time you see her.”

We both burst out laughing; the seriousness of it all dissipates with our sounds.

“I knew when I heard about the tub and door coming, you had something up your sleeve.” Bay squeezes my hand tighter, looking me right in the eyes. Hers scan mine back and forth. “Your parents would be so proud of you, August. So proud.”

Tears roll down my cheeks at her words, because I think they would be too.

Giving her a crooked smile, “I love you, Baylee.” And I do.

Leaning in, she engulfs me in her arms. “I’m glad you’re home.”

On my way home, I stop at the grocery store to grab something to make dinner for one tonight, and I feel like baking my sadness away.

I pick the wrong cart, rolling my eyes as the wheel screeched my arrival to every aisle.

Grabbing the biggest bottle of wine, I head to get all my ingredients. I’m craving my great-grandma’s chocolate cake… smiling at the day I got the recipe down and the chocolate that was shared with Bohdi. I quickly reprimand myself, turning down the pasta aisle, but stopping abruptly, but my wheels already announced me.

Molly stands further down the aisle, basket in hand, looking at me. I could back up and come down this one later, but I decide not to. If I’m staying, we’re going to run into each other. And before Driftwood Bay became hers, it was mine.

Pushing my cart, we both watch the other.

As I’m reaching for the fettuccine noodles, I hear her shoes clacking, coming closer to me. Straightening up, I stare her dead in the eyes. “Can I help you?” I ask her, coming out sickly sweet.

I watch her top lip protrude as her tongue swipes over her teeth, before she evilly grins at me. “I’m not sure why you have construction going on at the cottage; once it sells, it’s going to get bulldozed down, anyway.” Her voice is condescending.

I rear back from her words, confused, but immediately push my cart toward her, making her jump.

Her laugh grates on my nerves. “Driftwood needs a spa, and August Cove is the perfect place.” The look on her face is pure malice.