AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I pluck a makeup kit from the center of the couch and place it on the coffee table before sitting down. Something feels like it’s tap dancing on my stomach—in heels. As Lucy bangs around in the kitchen, I spy a folded-up quilt and pillow on the floor beside the side table, along with a suitcase. How odd. I would have thought April was staying in one of the bedrooms.
Lucy strides back into the living room carrying two glasses filled with ice and water. She hands me one and places hers on a coaster on the coffee table. “Here you go.”
“Thank you.” Holding the iced beverage in one hand, I point to the stuff in the corner. “Is April sleeping in here right now?”
“No, that would be me.” Lucy makes a face. “Burt and Bea only have three bedrooms here.”
“So why don’t April and Scarlett share?” I decide to brave the water in my glass. Maybe it’ll calm down what’s going on inside me. I take a sip and the cool liquid does at least refresh my throat.
No relief from the evil tap dancers in heels, though. Likely that will only happen after I confess my lies to Lucy.
“They did share at first, but I could tell April just needed a break, you know? And Scarlett’s the kind of girl who needs a safe place to retreat to. Besides, April’s an author—she’s not published, but she needs the time and space to pursue her dreams.”
“And they can’t live with Stephanie?”
“No, she’s in an apartment with a roommate. No space there.”
“What about your Aunt Janine, then?”
“She lives on the property at The Purple Seashell. Only has a small bedroom tucked away on the main floor next to the manager’s office. Besides, she’s great but having a child underfoot would probably be hard for business. And Scarlett is just as feisty as her mama.” She points to her face. “Case in point. I asked for a ‘subtle makeover.’ I swear the child’s lips curved into a Grinch-like grin before she did this to me.”
I snort. “Oh, my.”
Lucy pulls the rubber band out of her hair, which falls around her shoulders. “It’s all good. She’s got a sweet heart. Things have just been rough for them. April’s awesome, but being a single mom has to be hard.” She finger combs through her blonde locks.
“I can’t even imagine.” I set my water beside Lucy’s on the table. “But that’s no fun you had to give up your room.”
“To tell the truth, it’s been time for me to move out for a while. I only stayed because I was able to help Bea out around the house. She’s not exactly old yet, but has some arthritis starting in her hands. She’s a quilt maker, so I want her to conserve her energy for that, you know? But now that April’s here, I guess I’m not needed anymore.” Lucy fidgets a bit in her seat, frowning at the floor. Then her eyes lift, and she seems to shrug off whatever cloud’s hanging over her. “Anyway, I probably need to find a new place to stay. Whenever I have time to look, which hasn’t been easy with my crazy work schedule.”
“I’ll bet.” I press my quivering lips together. Lucy’s one of the friendliest, most bubbly people I’ve ever met. How will she react to what I’m about to tell her?
I can’t do this.
But I know I have to. Even though I will only be in Hallmark Beach for five more days, she’s quickly become one of my best friends. The only other person besides Lauren I’ve connected with so well is Kennedy back in San Diego, but now that she’s got a serious boyfriend and is helping to nanny his nieces, I’m not sure how much time she will really have to talk and text—especially once I return to Kentonia.
I guess the point is, when you find something as rare as a real friendship, even if things are complicated, you do what you can to nurture it.
And that means coming clean.
“Sorry, I’ve been blabbing on.” Lucy turns to me, tucking her feet up beside her on the couch. “What did you need help with?”
Where to begin? I suppose with the easy part—the impetus for being here right now. “Greta Graber had to cancel the venue.”
“What? Why?”
I tell her about the termites. By the time I’m done, she’s got tears in her eyes for me. “Oh, Chloe, I’m so sorry. I know you had your heart set on that.”
“I did. It was perfect too, Luce.” I sigh. “Do you have any other ideas? Any at all?”
“Okay, hmm. We can figure out … something.” She cocks her head as she pulls her hair back up, this time into a low ponytail that’s much more signature Lucy. “You sure the beach won’t work?”
“Positive.”
“Can I ask why?”
And there it is. My opening. The opportunity I’ve been waiting for—and dreading. “Um.” I stare up at the ceiling and blink.
She scoots closer to me and places a hand on my knee. “Hey, it’s okay. Don’t be upset. We’ll figure out a new venue.”
