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"Change isn't always bad," she replied, trying to sound more confident than she felt. "Sometimes we need to face our past head-on in order to move forward."
Dale seemed to think a moment, and then he climbed out of his car. As Ariel and Dale approached the entrance to the workshop, the familiar scent of sawdust tickled Ariel's nostrils, transporting her back to countless afternoons spent with Miles in this very space. The rhythmic sound of hammering echoed from within, punctuated by the occasional whir of a power tool.
"Ready?" Ariel asked, glancing at Dale, who hesitated for a moment before nodding.
"Let's do it," he replied, his voice betraying a hint of uncertainty.
Pushing open the door, they stepped inside, their boots crunching on the sawdust-covered floor. Ariel couldn't help but feel a flutter of excited anticipation rise in her chest, imagining the look on Miles's face when he saw Dale standing there. She knew how much this reunion meant to both of them, even if neither man would admit it.
The boat workshop was an homage to Miles's craftsmanship and dedication, its wooden walls adorned with an array of tools that gleamed under the dim workshop lights. As they entered the workshop, they found Miles hunched over a workbench, his strong hands guiding a plane along the curve of a sailboat hull. The sleeves of his flannel shirt were rolled up, exposing his tanned forearms, flecked with sawdust.
"Hey, stranger," Ariel called out softly, not wanting to startle him.
Miles looked up, surprise flickering across his handsome features before melting into a warm smile. "Ariel! What brings you here?"
"Got a bit of a surprise for you," she said, stepping aside to reveal Dale, who stood awkwardly in the doorway.
Miles's eyes widened as he took in the sight of his old friend, his grip on the plane tightening. His smile faded. "Dale? What are you doing here?"
"Hey, Miles," Dale muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "Long time, huh? I wanted us to talk, to clear the air a bit, you know?"
The confusion etched on Miles's face instantly contorted into anger, his jaw tightening and nostrils flaring.
"Of all the people, Ariel," Miles spat, his voice low and tense. "Why did you bring him here?"
"Wait, you didn't know I was coming?" Dale's eyes widened with realization, and he shot Ariel an accusing glance. "You didn't tell him you came to see me?"
Ariel shifted uncomfortably, her cheeks burning beneath the weight of their gazes. "I thought... I thought it would be nice as a surprise. A Christmas reunion."
"Reunion? With him?" Miles's hands clenched into fists at his sides, knuckles turning white. The plane now lay at his feet. "After everything he's done?"
"Everything I've done?" Dale retorted, his own anger bubbling to the surface. "What about you, huh? You're not exactly blameless either."
The air inside the workshop seemed to crackle with electricity as Miles and Dale locked eyes, both men's faces flushed with anger. The scent of sawdust hung in the air, and absent was the sound of tools that had long since been abandoned in the wake of their confrontation.
"Is this some kind of joke, Ariel?" Miles demanded, his voice tight with fury. "You really thought bringing him here was a good idea?"
"Hey, I didn't even know I was coming here until she dragged me along," Dale interjected defensively, his arms crossed over his chest. "For the record, I had second thoughts—looks like those were right."
"Of course you did," Miles shot back, his gaze never leaving Dale's face. "But you didn’t have second thoughts years ago, when you stole our business capital to feed your gambling addiction—did you, Dale? Partner?"
"Partner?" Dale scoffed, his eyes narrowing. "You really want to talk about partnerships, Miles? Last time I checked, a partner doesn't rat out his friend to the cops."
Ariel watched the heated exchange, her heart pounding in her chest. She felt torn.
"Both of you, please," she implored, stepping between them. "This isn't helping anyone. Can't we just... talk about this calmly?"
"Talk?" Miles repeated incredulously, shaking his head. "There's nothing left to say, Ariel. He made his choice years ago, and now he has to live with it. You would think his year in jail would have done it, but it looks like he’s just as oblivious as always."
Dale countered, his voice rising in volume. "You never listened to anyone but yourself, Miles. You always thought you knew best."
"Because I did!" Miles roared, his frustration boiling over. "Our whole lives were on the line, and I couldn't afford to make any mistakes. But because of you, I lost everything. My livelihood. Emily."
"I had a problem I couldn't control!" Dale shouted back, his eyes blazing with anger. "But instead of supporting me, you just pushed me further away. Or, I should say, right into the jail cell. And your marriage was on the rocks long before I took my trip to Vegas on the company dime."
Ariel's shock and disappointment pressed down on her as she stood helplessly between the two friends, their mutual accusations filling the air like a bitter fog. She had hoped that by bringing them together, they might find a way to heal old wounds and move forward. But as she watched the scene unfold before her, she began to doubt whether they might tear one another apart.
"Stop it," Ariel yelled, holding a hand against the sound of their harsh breathing. She felt like a fragile piece of glass, ready to shatter under the pressure of the mounting tension.
