AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I shrug, forcing a smile.
“That’s just what her dad does. I figured it must be the rule.”
“Has she ever talked to you about her mom? Just curious.” He levels a serious look on me.
“A little. Not much. She only said that this was their first time back on the island since her mother died there...” I’m downplaying that tearful conversation, yeah, but I don’t know how much Troy talks.
He holds my gaze, something like hurt in his silver eyes.
“Destiny was happy there and I was damn glad to see it. That’s her family house. Hell, the whole farm, really. The way they left it before this recent trip, I wasn’t sure either of them would ever go back. But she had a great time, and she liked surfing so much, she’s been begging Cole for a weekend in SoCal with her friends.”
“Yeah? I wasn’t sure how much she liked it,” I say.
“Why’s that?”
“She seemed a little apprehensive. Once she got going, she didn’t hate it. But she mentioned how she used to be afraid of beaches. I wondered if it was a little overwhelming for her. I also got the feeling that surfing was almost like a way of confronting her fears more than any burning interest, unlike her time with the dolphins and turtles.”
“Oh, damn. Wow. That’s news to me. I’ve never met a kid afraid of the beach,” Troy says slowly. “Did she say why?”
“No. She mentioned they found her mom there a long time ago. Maybe it’s just the idea of being so close to that spot. Losing Aster so young must’ve been insanely traumatic.”
“Fuck. She didn’t see anything, did she?” he leans closer, his face pulled tight before it relaxes into his carefree smile. “Sorry. It’s still a little hard on all of us, sometimes, even if it was ages ago. I always thought Destiny was home with Cole when it happened.”
“I don’t think she saw anything. It’s just knowing her mom’s body was there...”
“Yeah, sure. That makes sense. Thank God.” He mutters the last part to himself, nodding.
Huh?
The loud timer whistles through the lab, empty except for us. I wave my hand in front of the boiling pot on the grill.
“Here we go. This is basically all there is to the campfire method. You need to make sure it always peaks around a hundred and eighty-five degrees.” I lift the digital thermometer in the pot to check. “Close. But we’re not there yet.”
“Cool. I’ve seen just about enough to get the gist of it. If it’s good enough for you, then it’s good enough for me to call it right here.”
“Nobody minds a shorter day.” I smile, feeling a little better about having him around.
“Thanks again, Miss E. For being there for my friend and his daughter, I mean,” he says, looking up from punching a few more notes into his phone.
I nod, mostly to myself as the man turns his back and starts walking.
“Hey, Troy, if you’re this worried about him... Do you think he’s over her?”
He turns around and rakes me with a look.
“He wouldn’t lead you on, if that’s what has you worried. He’s not that kind of dude. Have you asked him about it and talked it out?”
I hesitate, my throat suddenly feeling like cotton. “No. It just feels a little callous asking him to swear he’s over his dead wife... I mean, it’s not even my place to ask.”
“It was eons ago, Eliza. He’ll probably never be completely over her, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t care about you. Deeply. Anyway, I’m probably not the person you should be having this conversation with.”
“Right. I’m sorry. You’re his best friend, so I just thought I’d ask...”
“No biggie. I can tell you what I know, but I don’t want to speak for Cole, right?” He searches my eyes.
“I understand.”
“Good, and thanks again for the science demo. I’ll see you later.” Troy leaves the lab.
I run to the drinking fountain by my desk for water with my stomach swirling.
All of those alarm bells and red flags are burning my senses.
No, I don’t think Cole is like Derek, but that’s not the point.
He’d never cheat and lie.
Okay, he’d never cheat.
He might lie—harmless, necessary little white lies like his Mr. Smith act at the sushi place—but I don’t think he’d ever hurt anyone on purpose. But what if he’s not fully over Aster?
Half an hour later, Cole texts me. I jump when my phone vibrates.
How are the cold drinks coming?
Dude. You sent someone down to watch the campfire method and you think I’ve had time to get your frozen drinks ready?
They’re not coming yet. I got a little sidetracked with Troy’s visit, I send back.
Cole: Just let me know when they are.
Eliza: Will do, but it’s going to be a few hours.
The next text he sends is an image of us.
