Page 43 of The Summer We Made Promises (The Destin Diaries #3)

Could something horrible have happened? Just the possibility made her realize how much she treasured him and his friendship.

Whoops…she’d put him in the Friend Zone again.

Her gaze drifted to the sand and water, where the sun had nearly finished its slow descent, leaving the sky washed in pale purples and fading orange. Was he just a friend? Surely he was more than that.

The second wine must have hit because she was suddenly transported in time, sitting at the community pool with Kate and Tessa, promising they’d all be best friends forever. Promising to stay true to themselves. What would that girl think of the woman sitting here tonight?

She’d think…was Vivien being stood up by the most reliable man in the world? Maybe. Or maybe something happened to him.

She texted him another quick “Where are you?” and plucked at the shrimp, lost in thought.

Everything she knew about Peter assured her that he was safe, so she started to think seriously about another possibility. Maybe she was the one getting a hard pass.

Maybe he thought she wanted Danny, that he’d read her ambivalence and mixed signals as a rejection, and decided to close his case and skip this date.

Was that possible? Of course it was. Possible and…wise. In fact, he might be doing them both a favor by not having to have a terribly uncomfortable conversation.

Because…Vivien wasn’t ready.

She sucked in a quiet breath as the thought landed.

She wasn’t ready.

At the realization, she sat up straighter, lifting, then dropping the fried shrimp as a new and completely different option landed on the table.

What if she said no to both men? What if she continued this journey of “life as a divorcee” completely and utterly…alone?

She wouldn’t be, of course—she had Lacey and now her mother, Eli and Kate and Tessa, too. She had a whole life full of beloved family and friends.

But she wouldn’t have a man in her life and that was…okay. No, it was…right. The way it should be. The only real answer to this dilemma.

That had to be her choice!

Good heavens, she’d barely been divorced for a month or so. What was she doing throwing herself into another relationship? She didn’t want that!

Yes, she loved Peter—as a friend and maybe more. But the more had to wait. It wasn’t right now.

The decision gave her the first tendril of true peace she’d felt in a while, tempered only by the fact that Peter’s no-show was completely and utterly out of character. Maybe he was desperate to make a point.

Or maybe something was wrong, and he’d gotten hurt…

With a grunt, she picked up her phone again and scrolled to his name, only to see that the last text just said “delivered” and hadn’t been read.

Sighing against growing concern, she typed another text.

Everything okay? Not like you to be late. I’m getting worried!

She hit Send, but instantly a red notification came up that the text couldn’t be sent.

Weird. She tried again, same thing.

Something wasn’t right. She called his number, and pressed the cell to her ear.

“The number you have dialed is not in service.”

What? She held out the phone and blinked at it, not believing the recording she’d just heard. His phone wasn’t in service?

Oh—it wasn’t a personal phone. He’d told her that was his Destin PD phone and he must have turned it back in. That made sense, actually. He was probably halfway to Pensacola now and when he got his own phone back, he’d text her that this was best for both of them.

And he’d be right.

For the first time in her life, she wasn’t beholden to anyone. Not to Maggie, or Ryan, not to the expectations that had boxed her in for almost fifty years. She had carved out this small but beautiful slice of a life for herself, and it was hers. She didn’t need a man to give it meaning.

She paid for her food and drinks, ignored the look of pity from the server who assumed—correctly—that she’d been stood up, and smoothed her sundress as she stood.

Instead of walking to her car, she headed to the beach, now nearly dark as the stars came out. There were a few people, and, out of deference to nesting turtles, almost no light but the moon.

“Alone,” she whispered as she slipped off her sandals and her feet hit the sugary sand. “All alone.”

Gazing up at the nearly full moon, she wandered down by the water and stood very still while the froth of the waves washed over her bare feet.

It finally made sense why she’d been teetering between Danny and Peter. She wasn’t ready to fall in love again, not with anyone. At this point in her life, she only needed Vivien Lawson.

She walked for a while, playfully kicking the sand and enjoying the warm water. The sun disappeared completely, leaving just moonlight and salty air bathing a woman who finally realized what she needed—her family, her job, and the Summer House.

She needed to steady her course and strengthen that backbone she’d been developing, and discover just who Vivien was.

With the realization, her heart lifted and she turned around, practically dancing over the sand to head back home. She was excited to tell Lacey what she’d decided, and Tessa, Kate, and Eli.

She knew they’d love and support her. Heck, even Maggie would give a nod of respect for this decision—that woman knew a thing or two about surviving and thriving alone.

Satisfied and excited about the future, she slipped into her car and drove home, still wondering about Peter but certain she was making the right choice.

It was nearly ten and the Summer House looked dark and quiet when she pulled in. Tomorrow was a big day of remembrance and celebration and everyone would be up early to join Tessa and Jo Ellen in sending Artie’s ashes into the Gulf.

Everyone but Maggie.

Maybe she’d change her mind. In fact, Vivien thought as she parked and opened the door, she should go slip into her mother’s room right now and tell her what a dumb move it was to hold on to?—

Headlights suddenly bathed the driveway in light, and she turned, blinded by them. The car stopped and the door shot open.

“Viv! Vivien!” She heard Peter’s voice but couldn’t see him even after the headlights went out.

Blinking into the darkness, she felt her way toward him, a little shocked when he reached her first and wrapped his arms around her in a bear hug.

“Oh, you’re here. You’re here…” She could feel his heart hammering, his shirt damp with sweat.

“I was at the—” She pulled back to see his face looked wrecked. Dirty and…whoa. Was that blood on his cheek? “Where were you?”

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” He seemed to have to catch his breath, shaking his head. “Work.”

“Work?” She touched his face, her heart folding. “What happened?”

He blew out a breath, squeezed her again, and held her long enough for her to feel his heartbeat settle.

“I found him.”

She drew back, searching his face. “And?”

“I followed him into a warehouse and got into a…scuffle.”

“Peter!”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. Just twenty minutes negotiating with a lunatic and his gun.” He huffed out a breath. “My back-up came and we got him in cuffs. In the aftermath, they took my phone for evidence. The case is closed.”

She pressed her hands to her mouth. “Are you okay?”

“I’m better than okay, Viv. When you know you’re one finger flick away from death and it doesn’t happen? Yeah, I’m good.” He pulled her closer. “I don’t want to live what’s left of this life without you, though, Viv. I love you.”

She felt her jaw loosen, heard the echo of every independent thought she’d just had, and stared at him.

“But you were going to break it off tonight,” he finished with a humorless laugh. “Remember, I read people for a living and your face—and heart—are an open book.”

“Peter, I?—”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. Danny’s a great?—”

“No, no, you’re wrong,” she insisted. “It’s not Danny. I’m not going to see him. We’re done and over, not that anything ever started, but I spelled it out for him—the answer is no. I swear.”

Relief lowered his strong shoulders, but his brows drew together in a doubtful look. “But we’re done and over, too?”

She took a moment to lean back and look up at him, gathering her thoughts. Old Vivien would have thrown her arms around him if only to help a man who’d just faced death. She’d have caved and rationalized and started planning their future.

And while that option appealed on one level…it was still wrong. New Vivien—a woman who didn’t let her moves be dictated only to please other people—would not do that. New Vivien would be firm, honest, and kind.

“Peter, I’m not ready to fall in love again,” she whispered.

He searched her face, silent.

“I adore you. And not just like a brother or a friend. You have always been my weakness, my crush, and my favorite and most dependable person. I don’t want to stop being together, but I can’t say I’m in love…yet. I’m not ready for that. I’m not ready for you to move here just for me.”

He nodded very slowly, relaxing his hold on her slightly. “You’re right, of course. I’m running on adrenaline and hope. Oh, and the chief sweetened the deal. I’d be an idiot to say no.”

“You’re staying in Destin?” Inexplicably, her heart soared.

“I might. I mean, no pressure on you, Viv, I swear. But I like it here. I like the families—since I don’t have one of my own.

One son wants to stay in Gainesville, and the other would like to consider Destin PD when he finishes the academy.

This is really starting to feel like home, and not just because you’re here.

” He smiled. “I guess there is magic in Destin like everyone says.”

She let out a sigh. “I’m glad you found a home and family here and I don’t want you to leave, but…”

“But you want to be on your own.”

“For a while,” she said.

He shook his head. “You’re so right. The ink is barely dry on your divorce papers and I’m rushing you. We’ve known each other for thirty years, Viv. What’s another…whatever it takes.”

“That’s just it, Peter. I don’t know what it will take.”

He brushed her hair back, cupping her face.

“I don’t, either, but you take what you need.

That wasn’t an adrenaline-fueled confession of love, Viv.

It was real. I love you and I’m here for you, but I’m also able to give you whatever space you need.

No more dating. No more golfing. No more pressure.

” He leaned down and kissed her forehead. “But, man, I’m glad you ditched Danny.”

She gave a light laugh and melted into him. “And I’m sorry you had to face a loaded gun tonight.”

He lifted a shoulder. “It’s my job. Viv, you deserve time, space, respect, and freedom. Count on me for all of them.”

“Oh, Peter.” She slid her arms around him and hugged. “Just like the time you were the only one to come to my party and brought root beer. I can always count on you.”

He leaned back. “I won’t be at the celebration tomorrow,” he said. “We have a massive debriefing after tonight’s incident. Then I’m going to head back to Pensacola, talk to my boss and undo my job there, get my house on the market, and pull my life together. But I’ll be back in a month or two.”

“And I’ll be here. I promise.”

“I’ll hold you to that promise, Viv.”

With one more kiss on the top of her head, he stepped away and she stayed still, watching him drive off.

Part of her wanted to write a diary addendum— Peter loves me! —but another part of her wanted to just exhale the breath she’d been holding for decades, happily alone for now.