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I shrug, then take a sip of coffee. Does she know he came back to my room last night? “I don’t know. Why?” That’s a lie. I know he’s back in his room taking a shower.
Lorelei stops and looks at me. “Oh, I don’t know. I figured you’d know where he was after he spent the night in your room instead of the one he’s paying for.”
Of course. Lorelei knows.
Unsure of what to say, I bring the coffee mug back to my lips and take another sip.
She chuckles, then goes back to doing the dishes. “I’m just teasing. I’m glad you had a fun time together. He seems like a nice man.”
“Do you think?” I ask. “I mean, heisa nice man. I just wonder if he’s too good to be true.”
Lorelei closes the dishwasher, pushes the start button, then turns to look at me. Her fist rests on her hip, and she looks at me skeptically. “What makes you say that?”
“I don’t know,” I reply, now regretting bringing it up. Lorelei is great to talk to, but she’s very opinionated. This could be good or bad. “It’s just that everything seems so perfect already. We have a ton of stuff in common, he treats me well, and we seem to have an amazing connection.”
“So, what’s wrong with all of that?”
I shrug and look down at my coffee mug, rubbing my thumbs over the smooth blue sides. “I’m just not sure what to think.” I look up at Lorelei. “Should I trust him?”
Lorelei’s features soften as she saunters over to the table and sits across from me. “Based on what you’ve been through before, this is a valid question. However, it’s a question without an exact answer. You have to trust your gut and do what you think is right.”
I look into my aunt’s kind eyes. The same eyes I’ve looked into since I was a child. She’s been there for me through it all––the good times and the bad––and I always value her opinion. She’s wise and insightful… but her answer doesn’t ease my mind.
“That’s the thing,” I say, throwing my hands in the air. I lean back in my chair, crossing my arms over my chest. “I don’tknowwhat’s right. How do I know if he’s being truthful with me?”
“Olivia,” Lorelei starts, leaning her elbows on the table. “Life is full of the unknown. It’s impossible to know howanythingwill turn out. Unless you’re a psychic, but even then, there are surprises.” She chuckles and shakes her head as if what she just said reminds her of something I’m not aware of.
Lorelei has lived what seems like a thousand lives. She’s experienced more and has more stories to tell than anyone else I know.
She looks back at me with compassion and says, “You just have to trust. Trust your instincts. Trust what you think is right. Learn to trust other people again. I understand it’s hard for you now, but to move on, you need to let go. Stone is not Clint. Not every man treats women the way Clint did. If you ever want to be in another relationship, you have to justtrust.”
I take in her words and let them seep in. I know she’s right. Everything she said is logical and makes perfect sense. The logical part of my brain understands this… the part I’m struggling with is getting my heart to accept it.
The sound of people walking into the adjacent dining room alerts us that customers are here for breakfast. It’s my day off, but I still feel inclined to help.
Lorelei stands to get the platter of muffins to take into the dining room. I stand as well, and she motions for me to sit. “It’s your day off. I’ve got this!”
I know better than to argue with Lorelei, so I sit back down. As I drink my coffee, I think about Stone. Last night was amazing. The night before that was amazing, too. The past several days have been wonderful getting to know Stone. I like him. I like him a lot, and I’d like to think he’s trustworthy. My gut instincts are telling me it’s okay to trust him.
However, the other issue surrounding our relationship pops in my mind again as well. Where can our relationship really go with Stone living all the way in Tacoma? Would I ever consider moving back again? I’ve come to love it here in Seaside. Maybe Stone would consider moving here someday? After all, as an author, he has the freedom to live wherever he wants.
Lorelei walks back into the kitchen, which snaps me out of my thoughts. I’m getting ahead of myself.Wayahead of myself. Stone and I have only just met a few days ago, and I’m already considering where we can live? I need to get a grip and take this relationship––if I can even call what Stone and I have a relationship––one day at a time.
Stone and I spend all day together. We check out the various activities going on in town for the festival, including the carnival where we ride a few rides, play a few games, and eat a deliciously greasy lunch of corndogs, french fries, and we share an elephant ear for dessert. Afterward, we walk along the beach, talking and getting to know even more about each other. And then we decide to have dinner outside of town at McMenamins in nearby Gearheart. Stone had insisted on driving me today, since I drove the night before, and I have to admit, I love his Range Rover.
After dinner, we walk around the property, which is not only a restaurant, but a large hotel set between a golf course and the beach. We end up getting drinks at the hotel’s bar and taking them outside to drink while we sit at a campfire.
“Have you been to a McMenamins before?” I ask Stone, knowing there are several restaurants around both Oregon and Washington.
“A couple,” he replies. “I’ve been to the one in Tacoma a few times, and also the one in Olympia. I think that’s all, though.”
“I’ve only been to this one. I’ve heard all their properties are unique.”
Stone nods. “Yeah, they’re pretty cool. Not your normal restaurants, I guess you could say. I’d love to come back to this one and golf sometime.”
“You like to golf?” I ask, adding another new fact to the things I’m learning about Stone.
“Yeah, I do. I don’t go very often, but I enjoy golfing. Do you golf?”
