Page 51 of Yours, Forever

"What if we have a different opinion of what the best is?"

"Then I suppose the community will have to find a solution that works for most... together."

He stared at me with dark brown eyes. "The younger generation needs leadership."

"The best kind of leadership is the one that listens to the people seeking guidance." I sipped my Scotch.

"And you think you can do that?"

"Oh, no. Not at all. I think there are better people than me for that. People who know everyone, the town, the history to a level I will never know."

"So you're just the checkbook."

The words, sharp like a dagger, stabbed me between the ribs.

I concealed the pain behind one of the smiles my coach had had me practice for hours in front of a mirror. "I hope I also offer my own brand of charm."

He didn't react to my comment. He kept his eyes steady on me. "Your wife, then?"

"She's never mentioned having an interest in leading the town that way, but I would ask her directly if I were you."

"I see. Well, that's great."

"Since you mentioned my wife, I should probably go home to her. She’ll be closing soon and I like to walk home with her."

"I'll see you out."

Hernán waited patiently as I said goodbye to everyone I knew, and stepped out of the pub with me.

"I hope to hear from you one of these days," he said.

We stood by the entrance to Isla Negra.

I gave him a non-committal nod. "I will check in with Daniel about the policies surrounding the Heritage Committee, of course. I certainly want to do everything above board."

But I wouldn't give him more.

He pursed his lips and nodded once, before turning away to leave. I watched him go, letting his earlier words play in the background of my mind. Left unattended, this could eventuallybecome a problem for my plans in Laguna Island, and I couldn't afford that.

The night breeze put me back to action and I made my way back to the café. I would have to think more about Hernán and the Heritage Committee, but not yet.

Now, my mind could fill up with Eva and my upcoming trip to New York. I planned to spoil my wife, and that took some planning, too.

Chapter 16

Eva

"This is the dress,"Max said.

I studied myself in the mirror and pretended to hesitate on the decision. In reality, I focused on my breathing to calm myself down.

Max and I had arrived in New York the night before, and the trip had been overwhelming since the moment we stepped onto the chartered jet. A chauffeur picked us up from the private airport and drove us to a fancy skyscraper in Manhattan. The guestroom view alone had to have cost a million dollars.

The mattress I slept in was made of clouds. A chef had stocked Max's fridge with food for us, and left instructions on how to bake the dough she'd left ready. Breakfast included freshlybaked bread and coffee that rivaled mine. And now my image in the mirror looked back at me with shuttered eyes.

I put a hand on the ice-white silver threads on my abdomen; the texture of lace and embroidery gave the illusion of abstract leaves, falling from my shoulders down the full skirt. Their density dwindled at my waist until they almost disappeared on the skirt, contrasting against the warm champagne color of the tulle. It looked amazing against the color of my light brown skin, showcased in the deep V between my breasts. I would have to tape my boobs into place, but worth it for the look.

"Don't worry," the stylist said. "The hairdresser will tone your hair to the perfect shade."