Page 26 of Searching for Sunshine (Crestbrook Cove #1)

STELLA

“ G od, this is exactly what I needed,” I groan, sinking into the booth at The Sand Bar later that week. “A pineapple vodka lemonade and some greasy french fries are calling my name.”

“Ugh, same,” Avery agrees. “I can’t remember the last time we sat down and had drinks together. The last month has been such a damn whirlwind.”

“Right? Can you believe we’ve been running the Hideaway together for over two months? Sometimes I still feel like we’re in our first week here, and other times it feels like we’ve been here for years.”

“Yeah, same. I was thinking about that earlier this week. It’s hard to believe that if we hadn’t lost our jobs at the beginning of the summer, we would be getting ready to go back to school at Smith’s Valley,” Avery points out.

“God, isn’t that wild? I’ve just gotta say, I know the last month has been a little chaotic, but I already can’t imagine this not being our lives.

Is that weird? I mean, don’t get me wrong, I will probably totally be in my feels on the first day of school and I’ll probably always miss the kids, but I wasn’t expecting to feel this much peace with not going back to the classroom.

Avery nods in agreement. “Yeah, I totally feel that. I really did love teaching, but I feel so much less stressed already knowing I don’t have to go back. And now that our bookings are up so much, we actually aren’t as broke as I thought we’d be.”

I can’t help but laugh at that. “I still can’t believe you moved down here with me with literally no guarantee of a salary or benefits or anything, Aves. I really don’t know how I’ll ever thank you. There’s no way on earth I could have done this by myself.”

“Aww, Stels, you know there was no way I was letting you do this alone. I’m actually having a great time coming up with new ideas for the Hideaway, and even with how busy we’ve been, I’ve started working on building up my art business too.

It’s really been a win for both of us. Plus, if I hadn’t moved, I would’ve missed the entertainment of watching you pretend that you aren’t totally in love with your not-so-fake husband. ”

I roll my eyes. “Lord, here we go again. Are you ever going to just believe me when I say we’re happy with how things are now? We don’t have to be anything more.”

I know as I say the words that they aren’t completely true, but they’ve become such a habit, that they fall easily from my lips.

The truth? I’ve been falling for Wyatt over the last few months.

He’s sweet and funny, and he makes me feel so special when we’re together.

Not to mention the fact that the sex is fucking incredible.

No one’s ever made me feel the way he has, but I try to remind myself that after the end of the year, all of this goes away.

No more spending Sunday mornings in bed seeing how many times he can make me come.

No more afternoon walks with Duke around the property, laughing about the different shenanigans from the day around the hotel.

Avery looks across the table at me, taking a sip of her lemonade before she asks, “Stels, I love you, but can we drop the act? You’re in love with your husband, and the sooner you acknowledge it, the sooner we can figure out what we’re going to do about it.”

“I—I’m def—definitely not in love with him,” I sputter, completely taken aback by her accusation.

“Sure, I have a little bit of a crush, but have you seen the man? He’s fucking gorgeous.

And he’s done so much for me and the hotel, and the sex is great, but that’s it.

We promised we were just friends, Aves. You know that,” I continue to ramble as Avery watches me skeptically.

“Babes, let’s be real. You’re in love with him. And there’s nothing wrong with that. But I do think we need to move past the denial phase we’re currently in because delusion isn’t cute on ya,” she says.

I blink at her and realize she’s right. I’ve known I was developing feelings, but when she lays it out in front of me, I can’t deny it to myself any longer.

I’m completely in love with Wyatt Robinson, and I don’t know if my heart’s going to survive losing him.

But at the same time, there’s no way I can ask him to stay with me.

He’s already given up a year of his life to make sure I get to keep the Hideaway, and we’ve both been super clear with the expectation that all of this ends in just ten months.

Desperate to ignore the panic rising in my chest at the thought, I shoot her an ugly look. “Did you bring me here just to stage an intervention?”

“Not quite. I really did want a night out with you. Other than my party earlier this week, I feel like I haven’t seen you outside of work since the hotel took off. But, I also can’t ignore how worried I am about you. I don’t want you to get hurt, Stels.”

I grab her hand from across the table. “I know, Aves, and I really appreciate it. But it’ll be okay. And if it’s not, I know I can count on you to bring the ice cream and the wine, right?”

“Damn right, you can. You know you’re never getting rid of me.”

I smile and look down at my lap to see my phone ringing. “Oh, hold on. My Uncle Allen’s calling me.”

Avery looks back at me in confusion. “The one from Springside? I didn’t think the two of you chatted all that often.”

“We don’t. Let me see what he wants and make sure nothing’s wrong,” I tell her, answering the phone.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Stella. I know it’s late so I won’t keep you long,” he starts, and I look down at the time to see it’s barely seven in the evening.

“It’s fine. What’s going on? Is everything okay?” I ask, wondering if he’s calling to tell me something happened to my dad. Since I don’t have any contact with him, Uncle Allen is about the only one who would think to call me.

“Oh no, nothing like that. I’m actually calling because I know you were looking for a teaching position earlier this summer.

Two of my teachers here in Springside just resigned and teacher work days start next week.

I know it’s last minute and you’re living in Crestbrook Cove now, but I felt like I need to at least give you the option in case you and your friend still want something in the classroom.

And I’m not gonna lie, I’m really in a bind and you’d kinda be helping me out here. ”

I blink in surprise, not sure what to say.

Earlier in the summer, I would have really had to think about it.

But after the last few months of working with the hotel and feeling my anxiety lessen as I spend more time away from the school, there’s not a doubt in my mind I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing here in Crestbrook Cove.

“Uncle Allen, I really appreciate it, but I feel like I’ve found my home in Crestbrook.

Plus, if I walk away from the Hideaway, Memaw’s will said that I forfeit the hotel.

So I’m sorry, but I can’t do that right now.

But if you’re looking for someone, I can send you a few names of people who might be interested. ”

“Oh, I didn’t realize. My momma did really have a sense of humor, didn’t she? But no worries. I’d appreciate those names, though, if you have time,” he says.

“Sure thing. Talk to you later,” I say before hanging up and turning to Avery.

“So, in case you’re wondering if the universe has a sense of humor, we just got teaching offers in Springside. I guess I should’ve checked with you before I turned it down,” I chuckle. “These last few months have really thrown us some curveballs, huh?”

“Girl, I just told you, there’s no way I’m leaving you. Plus, the idea of going back to turning in lesson plans and sitting through lunch duty again gives me hives. I promise I’m good.”

“Honestly, same. It’s so weird how that was everything I thought I wanted just two months ago. Maybe one day, I’ll decide to go back into the classroom. But for right now, I’m happy with our life.”

“Me too,” Avery agrees. “You know, I’m pretty sure this is the first thing we’ve said no to all summer.”

I laugh, realizing she’s right. “Oh gosh, I haven’t even thought about that. But you know, I think with everything we’ve accomplished the last few months, we definitely made the best of our summer.”

“Hell yeah we did,” Avery says, holding up her drink, “Cheers to new adventures.”