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Jenni gaped at her friend. “Thanks, Mom,” she said, trying to find her footing in the conversation. “OK, Caleb. I’ll see you then. I’m glad we got all that confusion cleared up. My bad for sure.”
“I’m glad too, Jenni,” he said as he began to walk away. “I’d better rejoin my friend who came along with me. He’ll think I fell overboard.”
He wove his way through the cars, trucks, and campers and then he was gone.
Caitlin looked carefully at Jenni. “Wow, talk about coincidences. I swear you two have some kind of connection.”
Jenni wasn’t sure what to say. She had thought about Caleb for weeks, feeling resentful, jealous, and angry about his “girlfriend,” but also guilty that she had pushed him away.
Now they had an ice cream date, whatever that was.
Why was she feeling conflicted?
She stayed lost in thought for the rest of the ferry ride and all the way back to “Mermaid’s Mansion.” She tried hard to engage in the fun and conversation around the table. As always Barb had outdone herself in the food department.
Caitlin could hardly wait to tell her mom about Caleb being back on the island.
“Jenni, I’d say he’s a bit interested in you,” Barb said, dishing out more potato salad. “I say go and enjoy the ice cream. And don’t think about anything else.”
Dinner coming to an end, Jenni excused herself to go inside and take a quick shower before heading back to Hatteras.
She had planned to wear white shorts and a cute red and blue top for the fireworks along with some starry earrings, but she wondered if that might be a bit over the top. Then she shrugged and decided she wasn’t going to overthink things. She’d wear what she wanted. It was a holiday.
It was still unbearably hot at 5:30 when she got to the parking area by the little snack. She saw Caleb getting out of his car, so she waved, and they caught up and walked to the counter to order.
“I’d normally get a cone,” he admitted. “I’m an ice-cream freak. And kind of a purist when it comes to cones. But I’m going to get a cup because I am sure it’s all going to melt before I can finish it.”
“That’s a really good idea,” Jenni agreed. They ordered and then, cups in hand, they began to walk down toward the ramp that led out onto the beach.
They talked about growing up in Raleigh and how they had both decided to go out of state for college and how they ended up back where they started.
Jenni decided this definitely felt good.
Chapter Twenty-Four
“I was on a tennis scholarship,” said Jenni. “It was strange being away from Raleigh and in South Carolina. But Caitlin was such a wonderful roommate. She played too. We’ve just always been close, even if we don’t see each other much anymore. Although this year, it’s been twice in a few months. I moved back home to Raleigh after my divorce.”
“You know, I can play a mean game of tennis.” Caleb grinned. “Maybe we should make a tennis date.”
Jenni felt herself relax for the first time in weeks, maybe months. “Are you sure of that? Because Caitlin will tell you I play hard, and I play to win.”
Caleb laughed. “I played a lot in high school. I wanted to play in college, but there were too many other demands on my time. My parents had great expectations for my schooling, and I didn’t feel I could let them down. Lots of pressure, you know?”
Jenni nodded. She remembered how she struggled to maintain her grades and keep playing tennis. “I do know. That tennis scholarship was a big deal for my family–not having to pay for my tuition. I just couldn’t let them down. I squeaked by in high school, so tennis was my pathway to success. I was glad I could go to college.”
Jenni was surprised that they actually seemed to have things in common.
Caleb looked at her. “My grandfather went to Virginia. I chose not to go for undergrad, but I was offered a great opportunity there for grad school, which I really was excited about. And that’s where I met the guys. You remember Jonah, Bertie, and Lyle. In fact, I’m leaving in the morning so that I can get back for Bertie’s wedding on Saturday. I’m the best man.”
Jenni had rolled her eyes at the mention of his three friends.
“You don’t have a high opinion of them, do you?” he asked.
She remained silent.
“You know, since you haven’t really met them, that’s being a bit judgmental, don’t you think? They are really good guys. Just because they’re rowdy at a fishing tournament doesn’t mean they’re not good people. You seem to make snap decisions about a lot of things.”
Jenni was stung.
