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“We’re staying steady.”
Hope nodded and met Sara’s eyes. “When do you have a break? I want to eat lunch with you.”
Sara hesitated, warmth heating her cheeks. “I’m not sure. It’s pretty busy today...”
With a frown, Hope marched behind the counter and brought up the schedule on the computer. “There’s only a mani-pedi at 12:30. Evie can take it. You’re having lunch with me, and that’s not a request.”
Sara cocked her hip. “Ok, fine. How does Alex put up with you? You’re the bossiest person on earth.”
“Second bossiest. Alex is worse.” Hope met her eyes, a firm cast to her face. “Ok, Sara. I’ve been giving you your space for the past few days, but enough is enough. I know you and Jack broke up. And it’s not like you to be all quiet about it.”
Sara massaged small circles around her temples. “We can talk about it over lunch. I don’t feel like getting into it right now.”
When Sara sat across from Hope, a quiet hum filled the mostly empty restaurant. The boat was just tying up, so they had about half an hour before the lunch crowd hit. Sara didn’t beat around the bush. “We decided we were better off as friends instead of lovers.”
Hope’s eyes softened. “We decided?”
Sara slumped in her chair. “It was pretty much his idea. He’s scared of letting things get too serious, since we both work here. And he’s convinced you and Alex would side with me if things ended badly between us.”
“He’s not wrong there.”
“He basically decided that his job is more important than I am.”
“How are you doing?”
“I’m getting used to it. It’s better than being enemies, like we were at first. But I have to admit he really grew on me.”
“He’s a good man. Dependable as hell. He texts Alex to let him know if he’s going to be even a few minutes late.”
“You’re not helping, Hope.”
She laughed and held up a hand. “You’re right, sorry. This is a weird place to be. Alex and I need to have a relationship with both of you, regardless of how you feel about each other. It is a little complicated, especially if you’re not that serious.”
Sara rested her elbow on the table and dropped her chin into her palm. “I don’t know what I want. I’ve never had any desire to be tied down, so maybe it is for the best. I sure don’t want to latch onto him if he doesn’t want to be with me.”
“Maybe some distance will give you the perspective you need.”
* * *
The afternoon was busy. Sara, Selena, and Evie all had a steady stream of clients. After talking to Hope, Sara didn’t see the point in staying quiet about the breakup any longer and told them. Both were full of sincere regret, but neither said a bad word about Jack, which made Sara feel worse.
A small defiant spark started to kindle inside her.
Stop the pity party. Life goes on. Maybe it’s time to find someone who thinks I’m important.
Selena had been texting on her phone during spare moments. “What are you so busy texting about?”
With a satisfied smile, Selena hit send and glanced at Sara. “Makin’ plans with Hope. For tonight. We’re havin’ a girls’ night out, honey. Time to cheer you up. No one wants to drive all the way to Charlie’s, so we’re meetin’ at a hole-in-the-wall north of here at 5:30.”
Sara gave a ghost of a smile as she glanced at the clock. It was nearly five. “Thanks, Selena.”
“No problem. Let’s close this place up and you can follow me there.”
Marimba was an oceanside thatch-covered bar. On the highway, a small hand-painted sign was hammered into the ground next to an almost-invisible dirt road. With Marimba painted in several colors, the sign pointed toward the ocean. If Selena hadn’t been in front of her, Sara would have never seen it. Hope followed in her Jeep, and they lined up in the parking lot. The bar exuded a casual vibe with a weathered but sturdy palapa overhead, and the sound of reggae filled the air as they claimed a wooden table for six in the sand. Sara’s mood started to lighten right away.
“I had no idea this was here,” Hope said. “But Cindy knew all about it. She’ll be here any moment.” The bar sat on a small beach, and several picnic tables were placed in the sand. But dark, pendulous late-afternoon clouds were building, making their table under the thatch roof a safer bet.
April walked in, her wet hair tucked into a bun, and sat across from Selena. “I haven’t been here in ages. Good choice.”
