Page 26 of A Shore Fling
“Moreau.” Dead silence descends for a few seconds as six pairs of wide eyes swing my way.
“I should’ve told you all, but when no one mentioned it, I decided not to.
It’s been nice just being Nina and not part of the Moreau empire.
” I flick a nervous glance at Travis, but he’s no longer looking at me.
“Holy shit!” Willow shrieks. “You’re a fucking billionaire.”
“No. No. No,” I say, shaking my head. “I’m not even close to being one. You’re thinking of my parents.”
Travis gets to his feet and walks inside the house without uttering a word.
“That’s not a good sign,” Jordan says.
Ginger whacks his arm. “Don’t be an insensitive asshole.”
I push to my feet and hurry after Travis. I find him in the kitchen, drinking a glass of water, and move over to stand next to him. “Hey, I’m so sorry you had to find out like that.”
He shakes his head. “Don’t apologize. I’m sorry you felt like you couldn’t tell me.”
“It’s not that I thought you’d be upset when you found it. It had more to do with the fact that everything I do back home is influenced by my family and others' expectations. I came here looking for a break from that, and I found it. Being here is so freeing for me.”
“I can’t imagine the pressure you deal with from your job and outside sources.”
“It’s not so bad.”
He raises an eyebrow. “I had no idea I was falling for a woman with such a complicated life. No wonder you’re going back at the end of the month. Havenport can’t compete with everything you have back there.”
I smile, and turn to him, rubbing his arm. “Oh, I wouldn’t say that. This town has plenty to offer.”
He rubs his forehead. “Hey, would you mind if I take the night to process all of this? We can talk in the morning.”
Darn. I was looking forward to sleeping here, but I can give him the night to work through everything. I did drop a bombshell on everyone.
“Oh… uh… sure. I’ll get one of the girls to give me a ride home.” I step out the back door onto the deck, pausing with my hand on the knob. “I’m sorry.”
As the door is about to close, I hear him whisper, “Me too.”
I feel awkward as I make my way across the deck. It’s obvious everyone has been talking about the news I dropped. I lean over in front of Willow. “Could you give me a ride home?”
“Oh. Sure. Let’s go.” She immediately stands.
Ginger also jumps to her feet. “I’ll come with you.”
The three of us step down from the deck and trek through Travis and Reed’s backyards, and then cut up the side of Reed’s house to the driveway where Willow’s Jeep is parked. We climb in, with me in the passenger seat and Ginger in the back.
“I appreciate the rescue,” I say.
“What happened?” Willow asks as she begins the drive to the rental. “I thought you’d spend the night.”
“Yeah, so did I. He said he wanted the night to process everything. I hope he’s not hurt that I didn’t confide in him.”
Ginger shifts to the middle of the bench, placing each hand on the front seats for balance. “I understand why it’s a lot for him to process. Travis is always in control, and this might make him feel the opposite.”
I nod. “Yeah, that’s true.”
“And it must be intimidating for him to know you have this amazing life back there. He probably feels like he can’t compete with that.”
“He basically said as much to me.”
“Well, I’m happy you’ve taken this time away from all the pressures that go along with being a Moreau.”
Willow nods as she turns down my street. “Yeah, I agree. He’ll take the night to absorb it all, but he knows who you are as a person, and that’s what’s important.”
“I hope so. I’m going to give him the time he asked for, and if I don’t hear from him by tomorrow night, I’ll reach out. I won’t let him push me away. That’s not happening,” I say.
Willow grins. “That’s the attitude to have.” She pulls into the driveway, and I climb out.
“Thanks for the ride and for being so encouraging. Ginger, I’m sure I’ll see you in the morning.”
She smiles. “I’ll have fresh muffins ready for you.”
“I’m already looking forward to it.” I give a quick wave as I hurry to the door.
Once I’m inside, I flip on some lights and then head to the kitchen.
My phone is on the table where I left it earlier.
I’ve been forgetting about that device more and more.
It’s nice not being tied to it every minute of the day.
It’s another freedom I’ve gained and am enjoying.
I notice missed calls on my screen, and check to see who they’re from. Irene has called me eight times, and there’s a voicemail. Shit. That’s not like her. Something must be wrong.
I put in the password and have to wait for the automated message to finish telling me the caller's phone number. By the time I hear Irene’s voice, my nerves are reaching an all-time high.
“Nina.” Irene wails my name with total despair.
“I need you.” She sniffs. “I caught Richard cheating on me. I need you. Please come.” The message has barely ended before I’m ordering a car to bring me to the airport.
I scurry to my bedroom to change into a pair of jeans and throw the hoodie Travis bought me on over my shirt.
I pull on my new white sneakers and then fasten my hair in a ponytail high on the back of my head.
I don’t need to pack a bag because my apartment in the city has everything I could need.
I drop my wallet and a paperback in a tote and tuck my phone in the back pocket of my jeans.
While I wait for the car to arrive, I send Irene a text.
Me: I’m on my way.
And then I type one to Travis. I don’t tell him about Irene’s cheating fiancé, though. That’s her story to tell, not mine. I hit send.
Me: Had to go back to NYC unexpectedly. I’ll be back in a couple of days.