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“It’s okay,” he said. “I was a difficult kid — I couldn’t control my emotions. I wanted to push the boundaries and have fun with my friends. But when she chose to take her own life and leave us alone like that, it only made me sad. I couldn’t get angry about it for a long time. It was only when I started asking myself why that the rage took over, and by then, you’d already left home. I spent years chasing answers at the bottom of a bottle or doing crazy things like diving out of planes. But now I know—she made her choices, and I’m only responsible for mine.”
“How did you get so wise?” She slapped him playfully on the shoulder. “I’m supposed to be the big sister.”
He shrugged. “I guess I’ve spent decades dealing with it while you’ve been busy raising kids. They’re great, by the way. Your kids are amazing. You should be proud.”
“Thanks. I think they’re pretty wonderful, although I’m not sure it’s anything to do with me. They came out that way.”
He laughed. “You’ve done well, Bea. And this café is just what you need to make a fresh start.”
That night, Bea got ready for her first official date with Aidan. Actually, she wasn’t certain it was a date. She wasn’t sure what to think at all. From her perspective, the two of them had an unspoken agreement that they would be friends. He was a famous ex-footballer, she was a newly divorced, suburban mum with so much baggage that she’d had to rent a storage facility. The fact that they’d had a relationship in high school and he was her first love and she was his, complicated things, but it didn’t change the facts.
He’d called earlier in the afternoon and asked if she’d like to go out to dinner at the restaurant on the pier calledSurf and Sea. It was her favourite seafood restaurant on the island and had been around ever since she was a child.
She and Aidan used to sit outside and watch all the adults in their best outfits walking into the restaurant on dates and nights out and dream that one day they’d be able to afford to eat there.
She donned a little black dress and a light wrap, then curled her hair and applied makeup. She’d decided that their first date, if it was even that, atSurf and Seadeserved a little extra effort. When he arrived promptly at seven, she was almost ready. He made small talk with Dani, Dad and Bradford in the living room while she finished up, then she walked down the stairs in her high heels to meet him.
He looked up at her, a sheepish smile on his face, cheeks rosy. He wore a button-down shirt in light blue and a pair of dark blue jeans. He was the most handsome man she’d ever known, and he’d only improved with age. She couldn’t believe it was her reflection gleaming in his ocean-coloured eyes.
He held out a hand for her, and she took it when she reached the bottom of the staircase.
“You look beautiful, Bumble Bea,” he said.
“Right back at you.”
Aidan’s eyes flitted to the floor, and he stepped forward and stomped.
Bea startled. “What on earth?”
“Spider,” he said. “Don’t worry—it’s not coming back from that.” He laughed and held out his arm for her to take.
Bea’s heart skipped a beat. “My hero.”
She slipped a hand through the crook of his arm and together they said goodbye to Dad and Dani.
Outside, she looked around in confusion. “Where’s your truck?”
He was still holding her hand. It felt warm, natural and completely surreal. As though she’d stepped back in time. But this man beside her was no seventeen-year-old boy — skinny, awkward and unsure of himself. He was strong, confident and complete. She could see that now. He’d grown and changed. He wasn’t going to second-guess his choices the way he’d done back then. She could trust him with her heart.
“I didn’t bring the truck,” he said. “How do you feel about traveling by boat?”
Her eyes widened. “I should’ve worn a different outfit.”
“You’ll be fine. I brought a blanket.”
“I’ll grab a scarf for my hair and be right back.” She hurried inside and pulled a silk scarf off the coat rack where she’d hung it after the last time she’d travelled to the island on the ferry, then tied it quickly over her curled hair in the hall mirror.
Outside, Aidan took her hand again and led her down the winding path in front of the house to the beach below. She had to slip her heels off and carry them in her hand. The sand and grass were cool and soft beneath her feet. His small boat waited beside a large black rock. She clambered up the rock and into the boat, with his hand guiding her the entire way. Then he climbed in and secured the anchor, and they were off.
Being out on the water in the last of the twilight was exhilarating. The sunset was a spectacular orange with yellow shafts of light glinting on the ocean’s surface. The boat surged up and over every small wave. She wrapped the blanket around her legs and sat back to enjoy the ride.
Aidan stood tall and straight at the steering wheel. His broad shoulders flexed as he turned the wheel to head out of the bay and around the point. Bea looked up at the stars overhead. They were coming to life one by one in the darkening sky. Soon they would be innumerable, but for now, there were only a few and she wondered about them, where they were, how far away and what they would look like up close.
Living on the island again had brought her out of the busyness of her city life and gave her a chance to ponder, to dream and to wonder in a way that she hadn’t done in years. When they arrived at the dock, Aidan tied up the boat and helped Bea out. She slipped her shoes back on and walked to the restaurant with her arm looped through his.
Before they reached the door, she pulled him aside.
He faced her, one brow quirked. “Is everything okay?”
