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Chapter thirty-eight

Evie

Instead of heading straight back to my cabin on the beach, I take Reid’s suggestion and head to the center of town. As I drive slowly down the main street, I feel as if I’ve been transported straight into a movie or feel-good sitcom. There’s a large green town square with a bright white gazebo in the middle of it, dotted with large trees. And along the streets are businesses with bright awnings and signs.

I see the bakery Reid mentioned, and a café right next door. There’s a bookstore, a dance studio, and so much more. It’s the type of town I’d love to explore over a lazy weekend, but the rain coming down outside ruins that idea for now.

Besides, if Reid’s serious and a job offer is coming, I’ll have plenty of opportunities to get to know this adorable town.

By the time I get back to Oceanside and dash inside my cabin, the wind is whipping around outside, making me more than a little concerned based on what Reid said about the ferries. My boat home is scheduled to leave in about two hours, so with some trepidation, I open the website to see if I’ll be making it home tonight.

“Damnit,” I curse when I see the sailing has been canceled pre-emptively. Of all days, why today? I don’t want to be stuck here alone. I need to be home, so I can talk to Rhett and tell him how I feel. Hopefully, we can figure out our relationship before I get a job offer that could change absolutely everything.

I could call him, but the conversation we need to have isn’t one for over the phone. But I will take the time to send him a text about the ferries, even knowing he won’t see it until after his game. I don’t want him to worry. No sooner have I pressed send on my message does my phone light up with an incoming call from the front office of the resort.

“Hello?”

“Hi, Evie? It’s Summer, over at the front desk.” The owner’s voice is cheerful and warm. “I wanted to check in. I know you were meant to leave today, but did you know the ferries were canceled?”

“Yes, I just found out. I don’t suppose I could stay another night?”

“Of course. That’s what I was calling to offer. And if you need something to eat, I can send someone over with one of our premade picnic lunches. We got a fresh delivery today.”

“That would be amazing, thank you so much.”

“No problem. Have a good night.”

I breathe a sigh of relief and gratitude for her generosity. With that taken care of, all I can do is wait out the storm.

I curl up on the comfortable chair that faces the large front window looking out over the stormy ocean and call the one person I can count on to help me make sense of everything.

“Hi sweetie, how are you?” My mom’s smiling face fills the screen .

“Hey, do you have a minute?” I tug a blanket over my legs.

“For you, always. Where are you right now?” She squints, and I realize she must see the bed in the background of this one-room cabin.

“I had a job interview today.” I pause as she makes a surprised sound. “But it’s over on Vancouver Island. I rented a cabin last night, but my ferry home got canceled, so I’m staying a second night. There’s a crazy storm right now.”

“Oh! Well, I’m glad you have somewhere to stay. But tell me more about this job!”

I tell her about the town, about the interview, and about Reid’s comment regarding me likely getting an offer soon.

“Honey, it sounds absolutely perfect for you,” Mom gushes. “I’m so proud of you.”

“Thanks.”

Her head tilts to one side, and her brows draw together slightly. “Why don’t you seem thrilled about this? Is it Rhett?”

My chin drops to my chest. “Yeah,” I say in a small voice before lifting my head. “But also no.”

Mom just waits, smiling patiently at me.

“He’s been nothing but supportive ever since I found out about the interview. Almost too supportive.” I pause, realizing how crazy I sound. “I appreciate it, don’t get me wrong. But I guess…”

“You wanted him to ask you to stay in Vancouver.”

“Is that stupid of me?”

“No, sweetie. Not at all.”

I tug the blanket up higher, my gaze drawn out the window to the dark grey sky, rain splattering against the glass. “I keep remembering what Viv said, about not holding myself back because of him. Or anyone, I guess. But…”

“But you love him.”

I turn to look back at my phone. “How did you know?”

“Oh Evie, I’ve been your mom a very long time.” She chuckles. “And I’ve seen you around Rhett ever since Kai first brought him around. It might have started as a harmless crush, but when you were all here to see Oba-chan, it was obvious things had progressed.”

“For me, maybe,” I say miserably. “But I don’t have the first clue how he feels.”

“Well, have you told him how you feel?”

I blow out a loud breath. “Yeah, no. Not exactly.”

“It’s a universal fact that most men are terrible at sharing their feelings. Especially if there’s a chance their fragile hearts might be hurt. You have to be the brave one, Evie.”

“But what if he does love me? How can we be together? Am I meant to give up my dream job for him?”

“You don’t think you can have the job and Rhett?” Mom looks at me again with that look. The one that says I’m missing something obvious. It’s the same look she used to give Kai when he was searching for something that was right in front of him.

“I don’t see how that would be possible,” I reply honestly.

“Don’t you think Rhett deserves the chance to try and figure that out with you? If that’s what you both want?”

“I guess so.”

“I know so. You can’t make decisions for him, nor can you make decisions without having all the facts. You know that.”

I’m quiet for a minute, absorbing her words. Then my head slowly starts to move up and down. “You’re right. I can’t.” I give her a shaky smile. “Thanks, Mom.”

“I’m always here for you. And I’m so proud of you. You are an exceptional young woman, and you deserve all the happiness.”

After we hang up, I stare out the window for a while longer, turning over everything she said in my head.

Could I really have everything? Can I be with Rhett somehow, and still take this job if it’s offered to me?

Can I have all of my dreams come true, or is that just a fantasy?

I won’t know until I talk to Rhett, and I can’t do that tonight.

But there is one more person I can talk to while I wait it out.

When my sister answers my call, I can tell she’s nervous.

“Hello?”

“Hi, Viv.” I’m proud of how calm and steady I sound. “How are the boys?”

“They’re fine, but they’re already in bed. Sorry you missed them.”

My heart aches knowing my own sister doesn’t think I called to talk to her. Then again, with how we left things in Ontario, maybe I shouldn’t be surprised. “I didn’t call for them.”

“Oh.”

“Viv —”

“Evie —”

We both start, then stop and laugh. “You go first,” I say.

“Thanks. I really want to apologize for how I was at the hospital. I stand by what I said, but Mom and Kai have both told me my delivery sucked.” She lets out a pained laugh. “And I guess they’re not wrong. ”

“Thank you for apologizing. I didn’t like hearing what you had to say, and yeah. It hurt. But you should know, you were right. I was holding myself back for Rhett.”

I hear her intake of breath, but instead of letting her speak, I push on. “I was — no, I am — so happy with him, I didn’t want to let anything come between us, not even my dream job. You helped me see how foolish that would have been.”

“Following your heart isn’t foolish,” she interrupts, and this time I let her. “But you can have both. You deserve a good guy and your dream job. You deserve everything.”

I smile, even though she can’t see it. “Funny, Mom said almost the same thing.”

“Well, you should listen to her. Not me.”

We both let out a quiet laugh. “Thank you for always watching out for me, Viv. Just, next time you need to say something, maybe be a little nicer about it?”

“Deal.”

We chat for a few minutes longer, and when I hang up, I feel lighter than I have in days.

I know my way forward.

Which means, I need this storm to clear, and fast. Then I can calm the storm inside my heart and head as well.