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“No,” she says. “Why would I?”
“Well, I just wondered if you were friends now,” I say.
“We are,” she says. “But we aren’t joined at the hip.”
“Got it,” I say.
I call Rory within earshot of Gretchen. “Hey, Rory,” I say. “I wanted to tell you myself, but I am holding off on any further demo at Dove Point. I’ll pay your contract out as if you have completed the job. It’s not your fault I’m changing direction.”
“That is nice of you, boss. Much appreciated,” he says. “So, not tearing down the old inn? Gotta say I’m happy to hear it. I hate tearing down old works of art. That place was a beauty in its prime – and I’d venture to guess it could be restored even better with modern upgrades.”
“That’s the new plan. The inn will stay,” I say. “Oh, and Rory, I am the only one who can make this decision. I don’t care if Adrianne or Brody tells you differently. It is not their call.”
“Got it,” he says.
I find the courage to face Gretchen. I just did the opposite of what Brody just counseled me to do. She still looks at me with a bewildered expression. I can’t tell whether she’s happy I’ve put the demo on hold or if she wonders if I am out of my mind.
“I’m going to see if I can find Brynne,” I say. “Tell Todd to call me if he hears from her. She’s not answering her phone.”
“Where will you be?”
“At the Calypso. Which is where I hope Brynne is.”
Chapter 18
Brynne
Adrianne Gollum harassed me on Sunday and served me with court papers on Monday. She is moving to evict me once and for all. I have had it with her and the toxic Red Hawk Realty drama.
Jack Houston brings me the kind of magic and comfort the inn does. I would not trade the richness and sweetness we've shared. But with him comes this ridiculous woman that he tolerates - which I totally do not understand.
And I have to assume he knows about her latest maneuver. Maybe he even knew about it while holding me in his arms. I need time to think.
Clive and Jordan are flying down to Galveston to close on a house. I don't have anything going on that I can't reschedule, so I decided to go with them and check the place out. I don't tell a soul.
"Oh, this will be fun," Jordan says as we drive into the airport. "You'll see what Galveston is like and if it's for you. Heck, you can fly back and stay with us after your court deal is settled. There's no need to stay there and watch your inn come tumblingdown. Stay with us and take some time to figure out your next move.
"I am going to lose in court," I say, accepting my fate. "I can't say or do anything in advance to make a difference. I must accept it's the end of my effort to save the inn and move on."
"What will you do with all the furnishings?"
"I think I will have a live auction. Hopefully, collectors will be interested in some of the art and furniture once the word gets out. There are some charming pieces and artifacts that he collected throughout the years. Some stuff I will keep
Clive is silent on the entire drive and flight. I know this whole ordeal has been a strain. He grew up in Hermosa and has lived on the California coast all his life. He will be by the ocean, but it won't be the same – not even close.
"Won't your billionaire boyfriend wonder where you are?" Jordan asks.
"I wouldn't call him that," I say.
"Strange that his company is doing this right after your weekend together," Jordan says, then covers her mouth like she made a mistake. "Oops, sorry. I said too much."
"It's okay," I shrug. "Not much matters to me right now. And I've had those same thoughts myself.""
The flight is miserable. We had a long layover before continuing to our final airport. The whole leaving town escapade was a mistake. It goes against my grain to leave someone hanging. I put my phone on silent, feeling guilty because I know in my gut Jack is probably trying to reach me and has no idea I've left the area.
Jordan, Clive, and I pick up a rental car and drive a seemingly never-ending hour and a half to Galveston. We've wasted an entire day traveling. But Jordan does her best to put on a positive front. "We sure are getting to know Texas," she remarks in a chipper voice that makes me want to scream withexhaustion.Might as well have driven from California, I think to myself.
I sense Clive's apprehension. When we reach the low and long Galveston bridge, we are almost at their new home, which the sellers are allowing them to move in before the escrow closes.
