Page 89 of Here & Now

Just then, Marco yelled, “Hey, boss! I could use some help in here.”

“I have to go,” he said.

“I heard.”

“Call me later and let me know how the meeting went.”

“I will.”

After they hung up, she was tempted to call Scott and reschedule their meeting so she could go out with Zane instead. Then she scolded herself for delaying the inevitable. The house had to be sold, and there was no reason to push it off any further. Besides, she could always go to dinner with Zane another night.

There won’t be many more nights left, she thought as she left the kitchen. It was a depressing thought, and she quickly shoved it away.

She went into her bedroom, stripped off her dirty clothes, and tossed them into the hamper. Then she rummaged in the closet for something to wear. She’d only packed sundresses and shorts, and shorts seemed too casual for a business meeting.

She chose her most conservative sundress, with wide straps and a square neckline, and slipped it on. If there were anything “sleazy” about Scott, she wouldn’t tempt him with cleavage (though, as cleavages went, hers wasn’t that impressive).

She went into the bathroom to refresh her hair and makeup. She removed the ponytail holder and brushed her hair until it fell in waves around her shoulders. Then she washed her face and reapplied a touch of makeup, just enough to make her feel put together without trying too hard. If Scott had an ulterior motive tonight, she wouldn’t do anything to encourage him.

Shortly after, she put on flat sandals, grabbed her purse, and went out the door. As she drove away from the cottage, she glanced wistfully at Zane’s house. She’d much rather be meeting him than Scott, but it was too late now. Hopefully, the meeting wouldn’t take long, and she’d be able to hook up with Zane later.

Hook up. Is that what this was? She sighed. How could it be anything more? She was leaving soon, and that would be the end of it. As she glanced out the window at the passing scenery, her heart felt heavy.

It was a gorgeous night, as most nights here were. Gulls floated on the soft breeze, palm trees waved their fronds, and the sunlight lent everything a golden glow. She’d rolled down the windows, and she relished the warm, salty air on her skin and breathed in the familiar island scents.

I’m going to miss this, she thought as she drove down Periwinkle Way. The island wasn’t the only thing she’d miss, though. She pressed down on the accelerator. The sooner I get this meeting over with, the sooner I can get back to Zane…