Page 71 of Keeping it Local

“Wow. Beth, you look…” His gaze raked over my body, and I felt myself flush. I wasn’t used to being looked at like that by him. “Just wow.”

“Michael, what are you doing here?” I repeated, impatiently. “I told you not to come.” I turned toward him, still keeping an eye on the stage where Johnny and Greg were joking back and forth.

“I see that. I didn’t realize this was such a fancy event.” He looked down at his own boots and jeans. He looked cleaned up compared to his usual work wear, but he wasn’t dressed for Starlight Night.

“You shouldn’t be here at all—no matter the type of event,” I whisper-shouted at him before dragging him just outside the tent but still within view of the stage.

“Obviously I didn’t realize what I was walking into.” He looked in through the doorway of the event, his head on a swivel, hands on his hips. Even though he was completely out of place, confidence radiated off him. “It’s time we had a talk, face to face.” Michael wore that smug look that he sometimes had, and I didn’t want to go there.

My attention was split between Michael and the stage. It looked like Johnny and Greg were wrapping up, and I caught Johnny staring at us.

Shit. I’m sure he was wondering what I was doing out here.

“Michael, now is not a good time,” I said through my teeth. “We can talk when I’m back home.”

“No, we can talk now. I drove all the way down here, and you’re blowing me off again,” he said gruffly, shaking his head. “I don’t get you, Beth. What’s Port St. Clair have that we don’t have back home? You’ve had your fun, and now it’s time to get back to real life.”

“I told you not to come down, and here you are, not even listening to what I have to say. You never listen to me. It’s always about you. What about what I want?” I asked, holding my ground.

“Of course I listen, but this is about us,” he said through his teeth, clearly trying not to make a scene.

“There is no us.” I backed away from him. “There hasn’t been for a while.”

He reached out to grab my arm, and when his fingers made contact, the ice-cold of his touch sparked a realization.

I didn’t need this.

I didn’t want this.

I was tired of everyone else being in control of my life except for me.

This was my time, and if I didn’t take advantage of it, I would lose my opportunity.

I wanted to be in Port St. Clair, and I’d figure out how to make that work, even if it meant figuring out another solution for my family. Deep down, I knew my parents wanted me to be happy.

“Come on, Beth. Be realistic,” Michael said. “You don’t fit in here. You’re a Randall girl through and through. You belong back home, not in some tourist trap.”

My blood ran hot through my body as I looked up at the man that I’d loved years ago, a love that had clearly run its course.

Right now, all I cared about was the man standing on the stage. The man I needed to tell I loved him, and I didn’t want to spend any more time talking with Michael.

“I know you think you know what’s right for me, but I’m telling you right now, you don’t. This is my time. This is about me, not you. So stop trying to make everything about yourself.” My chest puffed out as I spoke.

“Beth, please, can you just listen to yourself? Don’t throw this all away,” he said, talking more gently now that I was finally getting the upper hand.

“We’ve run our course, Michael, and it’s about time you realized that. Sure, we were good, and at some point, yes, I loved you, but I haven’t for a long time. We’ve been growing apart for years now.” I took a deep breath. “And as much as I appreciate everything you’ve done for my family, we’re done.”

“Beth, come on. You can’t possibly mean that. I know you.” He eyed the stage at Johnny looking down at us. “This couldn’t possibly be what you want.”

“How would you know?” I took a step back from him, and he followed, closing the gap again. “You don’t listen when I tell you what’s important to me. You knew this summer was special to me, what my plan was for the farm, but it was all just a big joke to you, wasn’t it?”

His mouth ticked up for a beat, and he caught himself. “It’s not a joke, no. But if I’m being honest with myself, I think you’re in over your skis with some of the changes you’re trying to make.” He shook his head. “But if that’s what you need. If that’s what’s going to make you come home for good, I’ll support you.”

It was clear that would never be the case, and now that I’d had more distance from Michael, I couldn’t believe I ever thought he was a good idea. I’d outgrown him a long time ago. He was a good man, but he wanted something completely different than I did. He would never truly support my dreams in the way I needed.

“I’m done, Michael. I hope you find what you’re looking for, but it’s not me.”

He tried interrupting, and I cut him off, holding up my hand.