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On the way to The Grand, a middle-aged woman with dark, curly hair tumbled out of one of the side streets and delivered a sterling smile.
“Sarah!” Wayne called.
Of course. Elise had heard of her but hadn’t met her. Wayne’s sister.
“And you must be Elise!” Sarah called. She flung herself forward and hugged her.
Emotion sizzled through Elise’s shoulders. She’d never been greeted with such friendliness.
“Sarah, it’s magnificent to meet you,” Elise said. “Wayne said you’ve been off the island?”
“Some work in Chicago, yeah,” Sarah said. “But I’m back and fully ready for winter. I have my girls with me, too, and Wayne, they’re dying to see their uncle.”
“Me too. They’ll be devastated to know that Michael has himself a fling right now,” Wayne said with a wink.
Sarah rolled her eyes. “It drives me nuts. They’re sixteen and seventeen years old but have always had eyes for Michael. All Michael ever did was tease them.”
“That’s what girls like, right?” Wayne asked mischievously.
“Right. The guys who are mean to us are the ones who like us the most, or whatever that old adage is. Right, Elise?”
“I think I know a few men who disqualify that statement,” Elise said.
“You and me both.” Sarah’s smile grew wider. “Where you guys off to?”
“Headed to The Grand, actually. We’re celebrating Elise’s screenplay.”
“You’re full of surprises, aren’t you?” Sarah said. “Well, if you find the time later, swing by. We’d love to have you. And when the girls head off to sleep, I’d love to toast your success.”
**
UP AT THE GRAND, ELISEsat alone at a table with a white tablecloth and multiple kinds of forks and knives. Wayne hustled off to the bathroom and left her only with this splendorous view of the still-green grounds, the orange and red trees just beyond, and the expansive, turquoise water just beyond. Even after weeks and weeks on that island, the view from The Grand still took her breath away.
Elise’s phone buzzed in her purse. She reached to turn it to Silent, only to find an email from the Berkley Theater Department.
To those close to our Berkley Thespians,
This is a reminder that the Berkley production of ‘The Countess of the East Side’ will hold its opening night on October 27. Please buy your tickets as soon as you can to ensure yourself a place. We look forward to hosting you.
Elise’s heart jumped into her throat.
How could she have forgotten Penny’s play?
I haven’t. Not really. Yes, maybe I shoved any thought of it to the side for the time being so that I could press forward with this family drama and this romance.
But now. Now, it’s time to face life back home.
It’s time to tell my children everything that’s happened.
And it’s time to celebrate Penny’s success.
Wherever home is, it’s with her. It’s with Brad. And it’s within me, too.
Wayne arrived back at the table. When Elise blinked up into those gorgeous cerulean eyes, she felt the question pour out of her lips before she had the chance to stop it:
“Remember when you said you wanted to see the world?”
Wayne dropped into his chair, clasped his hands beneath his chin, and nodded. “Yes.”
