Page 106 of Flirting with Trouble

“Oh my goodness, no. Family is important to both of us, and honestly, we haven’t talked about any of that. He hasn’t even been to my apartment yet, which is my fault, and has nothing to do with him.”

“You don’t have to explain it to me. I think every woman needs her space. As you know, my husband and I have been living apart for years.”

“I know, and I’m sure you have your reasons, but it’s not that I want space from Wells. I just hadn’t crossed that particular bridge with anyone since Harvey died. I thought I’d dealt with all of that, but last week I realized I still had more to overcome.”

“Do you still live in the apartment you shared with Harvey?”

“Yes.”

“I can see how that would be a difficult line to cross.”

I’m thankful she understands. “Difficult, yes, but hopefully not impossible.” In case she heard about our falling-out, I say, “Wells asked to stay at my place last week, and it threw me for a loop. It wasn’t that I didn’t want him there. I just panicked. I was holding on to that baggage for so long, I didn’t know how to put it down. That’s why we had a falling-out. I’m sure you heard about what happened at Rock Bottom.”

“I think most everyone on the island did. You might as well have been riding around town with a megaphone.”

“That’s so embarrassing.”

She tightens her hold on my arm again, smiling. “There’s never a reason to be embarrassed about your feelings.”

“I wasn’t embarrassed about my feelings. I was embarrassed that I blurted them out at his restaurant. It was inappropriate and unprofessional. I don’t usually air my dirty laundry in public, but everything has been changing with Wells. He’s the only person who has ever made me want to put that baggage down for good, and that’s why I’m here.”

“I’m glad to hear that. When I saw him pursuing you at Sutton’s wedding, there was an unmistakable connection. A sizzling one, if I’m honest.”

“Was it that obvious?”

“Let’s just say, the way he looked at you reminded me of the way my Alexander has always looked at me. I’d never seen Wells that taken with anyone. You reminded me of myself when I was younger, bright, self-assured, and not frivolous. But the right people bring out a lightness in you. I noticed your family does that for you.”

“They do.”

“But I also knew you’d lost your husband, and I wasn’t sure if Wells was barking up the wrong tree.”

“I thought he was at first,” I admit. “But it turns out, Wells brings out that lightness in me, too. I hadn’t dated in five years, and I wasn’t looking for a date, much less a relationship, when Wells and I got together. Believe it or not, that was on the anniversary of the night I met Harvey, which is so weird, and as silly as it sounds, it’s like my heart started beating to a new rhythm that night. I didn’t even know I could feel like this again, and that scared me. I tried to push Wells away, but he was always there. If not physically, he was on my mind.” Like a song on repeat. “And nothing has been the same since. But I want you to know that Wells is not second best, or a replacement for my late husband. What he and I have is completely different from what I had with Harvey. I’m a different person than I was then, and some of that is because of Wells.”

When I finally take a breath, I realize how much I’ve revealed and wince. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to blurt all that out. That’s exactly what happened at Rock Bottom last week. What is it about this island that turns my emotions into tidal waves?”

“That’s the magic of Silver Island,” she says with authority. “It brings out the heart in all of us, but don’t worry, honey. I have a feeling my son enjoyed it just as much as I did.”

I breathe a sigh of relief.

“And from what I’ve heard,” she says conspiratorially, “what happened at the bar was less airing dirty laundry and more groveling.”

“Great,” I say sarcastically, and we both laugh. I fan my face. “Did it just get hotter out here, or is it just me?”

Margot gives my arm a reassuring squeeze. “Let’s cool off.” As we wade into the chilly water up to our calves, she says, “I’m going to let you in on a little secret. No relationship is perfect. Take it from a woman who has done more than a little groveling in her time. When you find the person who makes your heart sing, they’re worth it, and to hell with what anyone else thinks.”

“You sound like my mom. She has never cared what anyone else thought.”

“Well, I hate to admit that I cared too much at one point in my life, and I wish I hadn’t. I got to know your mother fairly well at Sutton and Flynn’s wedding, and she is extraordinary. She told us all about your family’s travels. What an exciting life you’ve lived.”

“It was quite an opportunity. I think she’d really enjoy spending time with the Bra Brigade. This reminds me of some of the communities we lived in overseas, where the elders taught the younger generations their traditions, and families and friends supported one another.”

“This is the best sisterhood anyone could ever ask for, and I’m so glad you’re a part of it. These ladies have helped me through my most trying times. I have never had to pretend around them. They accept me with all my faults, as I do them, and trust me, we’re all riddled with them.”

I laugh softly. I love how down to earth she is and how good it feels to connect with her.

“Let’s plan a get-together,” she says excitedly. “Alexander and I invited your parents to come for a week whenever they can make it, and you know we’d love to see more of you. Your brothers are more than welcome, too. We have quite a few single ladies still looking for their special someone.”

“I’m not sure my single brothers are interested in getting tied down.” As I say it, I think of the bed restraints Wells and I used last night, but I can’t afford to get lost in those delicious memories right now. “I’ll talk to them, and to Wells, and see what we can figure out.”