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“Open the journal, Will.”
I slowly peel the cover back and begin to read. I skim the page and read faster. My heart leaps into my throat. “Jesus.”
“What’s that, boy?”
“It’s...it’s all about me, all about my kindness and the community services I do here on the island. She wrote a whole article on me.”
The sound of Granddad slapping his knee again reverberates through the phone. “I knew it.”
“But I don’t like my business known. You know that.”
“Who says she was even going to publish it?”
A knock on the door reaches my ears, and my heart leaps. Has she come back?
“Someone’s at my door.”
“Go check. Might be her.”
I hurry down the hall, pull the door open and find Bevey standing there, a plateful of johnnycakes in her hands. “It’s Bevey,” I say.
“Hey, don’t sound so disappointed,” Bevey says.
Ice clinks in Granddad’s glass again before he says, “Tell her I said hello.”
“I’m not disappointed. Come in. Granddad says hi,” I say, and turn back to my conversation with Granddad. Even though Bevey is listening, I say, “I...fucked up. I said cruel things. I sent her away, and I don’t think she’s coming back.”
“Then go fix this.”
“How?”
“You’re a smart boy. You’ll figure it out.”
Bevey follows me into the kitchen as I resume pacing. “But what if...what if she doesn’t feel the same way about me as I do about her?”
“Oh, she does,” Bevey says with a big smile.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Khloe
IT’S BEEN A WEEK since I’ve returned from Saint Thomas, seven whole days that have felt more like four hundred and twenty-seven days and a whole bunch of hours and minutes. I haven’t been sleeping or eating very well since coming home, and forget about functioning properly. Only problem is, if I don’t pull myself together, I’m going to lose this temporary gig that’s going to keep me afloat until I can secure a permanent position. I refused to deposit the check that arrived at my apartment and refused to take James’s calls. The man had no right sticking his nose into our business. Around Town Magazine isn’t where I ultimately want to work, but I’ll take anything thrown my way. And I’m just filling in while one of the reporters is off on maternity leave.
It’s funny, Will said to me that by the time I left Saint Thomas I’d know what I wanted and what I loved. He was right. It’s hard to believe how my priorities have shifted. I didn’t know what I wanted in life until I spent time in Saint Thomas. I think it would surprise everyone, Will included. But now Will thinks I was out to sabotage him, and he’s back with Naomi, which means my dreams will never be fulfilled. Not in this lifetime.
Stupid tears prick as the bell over the front door jingles. I swipe the moisture away and glance up from my desk to see Steph bouncing in, a smile on her face as she checks the rows of desks in search of me.
“Over here,” I say with a wave, and she bounds over to my side of the room. I lower my voice, not wanting to disturb those working close by. “What are you doing here?”
“I wanted to check out your new workplace.”
“Well, I’m only here temporarily, so don’t get used to it.”
“Look on the bright side, you’re not a pod person anymore.”
I stand and take in her fashionable attire as I give her a hug. “Look at you. All dressed for your new position at the Cut. It’s always been your dream to write about fashion and trends. I’m so proud of you. I told you that, right?”
“Only a million times.” She jabs her thumb into her chest. “And this girl with the fancy new clothes and office wants to go out to lunch with her best friend.”
