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He ruffled her hair and laughed. He knew she wouldn’t. She was a great kid and he was going to have his hands full in raising her, but he was up to the challenge.
A few smaller floats passed and then he could see Carly’s float turn the corner onto Main Street.
“There it is! She’s coming!” Tess said excitedly next to him.
The crowd moved closer to the edge of the sidewalk as the large float neared. It was even more impressive, seeing it now. Carly’s vision had certainly come to life in the biggest, most impressive float the parade had ever had. Sealena stood proud and fierce holding the small sailboats among the large waves that Rachel had painted to look amazingly real. The rotating device was working perfectly to create the storm raging around her on the arches, the sea creatures battling the tumultuous environment.
“It looks so good!” Tess said, clapping her hands along with everyone else as it passed in front of them. “I helped build that one,” she told the family of tourists standing next to them.
The woman offered Oliver a warm smile, and once again, a sense of pride overwhelmed him. Despite what happened with the lighthouse, with their home, he needed to make sure they could stay in Port Serenity. Tess deserved that. And he wanted to stay. This was where they belonged.
His gaze fell on Carly at the back of the float. She didn’t see them at first as she waved and smiled at the crowd. But then she spotted them and her face lit up. She blew a kiss at Tess, and when her gaze locked with Oliver’s, his heart pounded loud, confirming all the feelings he had for his best friend.
Now he just needed to figure out a way to prove to Carly that he was all in—and hope that she was too.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CARLYHADNEVERbeen so nervous in her entire life.
The next day, she arrived early at the community center where that month’s town hall meeting was scheduled to start in half an hour. The parade the day before had gone amazingly well. Her store’s float had been a crowd-pleaser and had won best float again that year. But she’d been so impressed by the efforts of the other stores as well. They’d all put so much time and thought into their designs, and the shops along Main Street had boasted record sales numbers as the parade crowds spent their afternoon shopping and eating at the local establishments.
The town had felt alive and vibrating the day before and Carly’s pride in the community had only soared to new heights.
She’d barely slept the night before, lying awake thinking about what she was about to do, wondering if it was truly the right decision and if she was ready to take this leap of faith. She’d weighed all the pros and cons in her mind and went over all the details.
But she knew she was ready to commit to the community she loved in a bigger way.
Seeing Oliver and Tess standing in the crowd at the parade had only solidified her feelings. She was in love with Oliver and she wanted to be there full-time as a mom to Tess. They were already her family, the two people on earth she cared about most of all. Her feelings had only grown stronger over the last month, especially when they’d been tested.
She and Oliver might not agree on everything, but she knew his actions—painting the truck and being there for the parade—had been his way of apologizing and trying to make amends. They’d both hurt one another with their actions and lack of communication, but that ended that day.
Carly was ready to open up and reveal all the things she’d been hiding. She was ready to be brave and go with her heart. For the first time in her life, she was chasing a dream that meant more to her than any other.
She paced the hallway of the center as some volunteers positioned the chairs on the stage and along the floor for the attendees. These meetings were always full, standing room only, as everyone liked to be involved in major town decisions. Everyone liked to have their voices heard.
So, she suspected that day’s agenda, which had circulated already, would bring in a full house.
Oliver and Tess would definitely be there, as the major topic of discussion directly impacted them, and Carly was nervous, but also excited to see them and see their reaction when the plans were presented.
She opened the top button of her blouse and fanned herself with her prepared statement. It was hot in there, and the closer it came to start time, the more sweat gathered on her lower back.
“Hey, you ready for this?” Sebastian’s voice said behind her. He offered an encouraging smile as he approached and Carly was grateful for his support and friendship. He’d helped make this decision easier for her the day before with his advice and guidance. He really was a great addition to the town’s tourism team and she hoped he decided to stay. She liked him and she knew they’d be great friends and work well together to benefit the community.
Maybe one day, he and Oliver could even find common ground.
She nodded. “Definitely ready,” she said, confidently. She was.
In twenty minutes, her life was about to change, and in Carly’s opinion, it was long overdue.
OLIVERWIPEDHISpalms against the legs of his dress pants as he sat in the front row next to Tess. The meeting was scheduled to start in five minutes and the community hall was standing room only as the entire community seemed to have come out for the big decision.
The mayor stood in the front at the podium, his wife seated on the stage behind him, looking polished and professional as she waved and smiled politely to members of the community.
As part of the tourism board, Carly and Sebastian sat up there too.
Seeing her made his heart pound. They hadn’t spoken since before the parade the day before. Surprisingly, she hadn’t attended the Sealena parade after-party at the pub. He’d been hoping to talk to her there, but Rachel had said she had something important she had to take care of.
Seeing her now, looking beautiful in a white blouse and tan pencil skirt, ballet flats on her feet and her hair in a high ponytail, revealing her gorgeous, vibrant complexion, his heart swelled. He missed her so much. He knew she had to do what was right for the community, despite her feelings for him. Despite her own personal feelings about the lighthouse and their home...
