Page 129 of Beautiful Place By the Sea

I step further through the doorway. “I mean it, Laurel. I don’t regret learning the truth. I couldn’t not know. But I am sorry for dragging you into it. You made it clear that you didn’t want anything to alter your impression of the past.”

Laurel drops her hands to her lap. “I really didn’t. It’s been hard enough to work through losing Eleanor this last year. It doesn’t matter to me what her secrets are; I loved her, and so did Charlie. Their love story was true, regardless of the nuance.”

“You’re right.” I inhale deeply. “You are. Nothing we’ve learned changes who they were or how they loved us. Or each other. And I’m sorry for weaponizing that information to hurt you. I was…I was having trouble processing. I was hurting, both because of these secrets and for…other reasons. And I lashed out at you. It wasn’t fair.”

“I may have been a little harsh with you, too,” Laurel says softly. “I knew you were struggling, but I didn’t bother to ask why. I let you help me through my issues with my advisor and Nick and Porter, but I never extended the same courtesy to you.”

My mind flashes back to our chat the first night in Ogunquit as we sipped our coffees near Shoreline. “You did, though. You’re the one who convinced me it was okay to leave Farnsworth.” I shake my head. “I don’t think I would have pursued anything else if you hadn’t given me permission to be happy.”

Laurel smiles sadly. “You don’t need anyone’s permission to be happy, Ivy. Least of all mine.”

“Yeah,” I concede. “But you said it yourself. You’re the closest thing I have to a sister. And your opinion matters immensely to me.”

I can practically see her anger melting in her chest. “I think that’s why this all hurt so much. I really don’t want to fight with you.”

“I know. I’m sorry.”

“I’m sorry, too.” She closes her laptop. “How long are you in town?”

“I actually have to get back. I’m working this afternoon.”

Laurel nods. “Were you visiting your parents?”

“In a manner of speaking,” I agree. “I also needed to do some packing at my condo.”

She tilts her head. “Oh?”

“I got the Springfield job. I’m going to be moving.”

Her expression doesn’t change. “I see.”

Now it’s my turn for confusion. “I thought you’d be happy for me.”

“I am happy for you,” she replies. “It’s just…” She shakes her head rapidly. “Never mind.”

“You can’t do that. What were you going to say?”

“I’m just surprised, that’s all. When you said you were moving, I kind of assumed it was somewhere else.”

“I can’t stay at Shoreline.” I think my face reflects the sorrow in my heart as I say it, because her expression falls, too.

“Why not?”

I take a deep breath. “Because. Maisie offered me a promotion, but I’d basically be taking away the only opportunity Oliver has. And he doesn’t seem to care, but I can’t do that to him.”

Laurel surveys me carefully. “I know the genetics aren’t there, but you’re Charlie’s granddaughter, Ivy.”

“What do you mean?”

Her lips tip up into a gentle smile. “He found a way when it seemed like there wasn’t one. I know you have it in you to do the same.”

“I don’t know,” I start. “I’m not so sure there’s some magical compromise this time.”

“As your almost-sister,” Laurel continues, “I feel compelled to call you out when you’re being stupid.”

“Hey!” I retort.

She grins. “I’ve seen the way you look at Oliver. You’d never forgive yourself if you gave that up.”