Clallam Bay (A Fresh Start #2) (16 page)

I often daydreamed I could save each and every one of them. And if not, at least touch their lives in some memorable way like Michelle Pfeiffer in
Dangerous Minds
.

I rubbed the bridge of my nose.

God, I was so lame.

I’d stayed up later than I had all summer to finish grading the one-page papers I’d assigned on why it was inappropriate to bring your cell phone to class. I wasn’t on mine. Why should they be on theirs?

It was rude.

I was in the middle of thanking God I didn’t have to deal with teenagers on a full-time basis when my phone rang.

I jumped whenever it rang now, like somehow he would get my number, I’d answer and be like, uh …

But it was only Alyssa.

“Hey, what’s up?”

“I’m getting married!”

“I’m sorry, what?”

“Yeah! I can’t believe it either. But Ethan asked and I said yes and oh my God!”

“Yeah.” Oh my God was right.

“Tell me you’ll come to the wedding.”

“Um …”

She whispered to someone in the background. “Hey, Hailey?”

“Yeah, I’m still here.”

“I’m gonna have to get off here seeing as a celebration is in order, but I’ll send you the details, okay?”

“Uh yeah, okay.”

Alyssa squealed into the receiver. “Two weeks from today and I’ll be Mrs. Ethan Hart! Ahhhh!”

There was a click then silence before a dial tone started beeping in my ear, which was still ringing from Alyssa’s scream.

Had I heard her right? Just two weeks and she was getting married?

“So, what do you think I should do? Do you think I should go?” I asked Amber over a nice dinner of pasta and bread. It was Friday night and Friday night was cheat night.

“Well, do you want to go?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. I kind of have to, don’t I?”

Amber shrugged in return, taking a sip of her wine.

“I mean, isn’t there some sort of code?”

“Code?”

“Yeah, a code. One that says if your friend gets married you have to be there.”

“Ah.” Setting her glass back down on the table, Amber winked and shot at me with her finger gun. “The bitch-better-go code, yes.”

“Would you please be serious?”

“Oh, you want me to be serious?”

“Could you?”

We each gave the other a sarcastic smile.

“All right, well, if it was me I’d want you to come. I’d be forever heartbroken if you didn’t.”

I frowned at her answer.

“What? I don’t know what else to tell you. What is it you want me to say?”

“I want you to say you’ll come with me.”

Tilting her head, Amber squinted and pursed her lips. I begged her with my eyes, repeatedly mouthing the word please until she sighed and agreed.

“Okay.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really. What kind of friend would I be if I let you descend back into the nine realms of Hell all alone?” Amber continued to mumble under her breath, something about destination weddings and what the hell Alyssa could be thinking making us go back there.

I had to agree. What the hell could Alyssa be thinking?

I wasn’t stupid. I knew exactly what Alyssa was thinking making me go back to Clallam. But I wasn’t going to fall for it. Nope.

I’d go to the wedding. Of course I’d go, but Amber and I were staying in Seattle. It was all planned out. We’d drive to the ceremony then drive back to the hotel as soon as the reception was over. Regardless of the hour. No matter our condition.

I made her promise.

I was only packing one bag, one outfit, one extra pair of underwear. I didn’t need any cushion where it might be okay to stay any longer than necessary. Get in, get out, go home. Like it never even happened.

I heard a honk and looked out the window to see the cab parked outside. Grabbing my one bag and my purse, I headed down where Amber was sitting in the backseat waiting for me.

“It’s about time,” Amber said as she popped open the door and scooted across the seat. “Achmed’s air conditioning heats up when idle, and we’ve been sweating our asses off. Isn’t that right, Ach?”

“Yes, Miss Amber. This is right. Very sweaty,” Achmed agreed in his thick accent.

I rolled my eyes, ignoring Amber when she questioned the whereabouts of the rest of my luggage. This trip was supposed to be stress-free. It was going to be stress-free.

I made her promise.

The cab pulled off the curb, and I watched out the window as the scenery flew by. The ride was a blur. The walk to the terminal, a nightmare seeing as Amber had packed everything but the kitchen sink.

We were literally only going to be there two nights. Why had I even bothered asking her to come? Why?

Ah, yes. I remembered.

While Amber worked her magic to try and get us bumped up to first class, I rummaged through her carry-on, pulling out a pill bottle and popping what I hoped was a Xanax.

The airport was dead but I still felt claustrophobic. I couldn’t breathe. I was hot and sweating.

“Who loves you, baby?” Amber asked as she sat down in the seat beside me, waving two tickets in my face. The fan effect felt nice.

“Ah, just what I’ve always wanted. More leg room.”

“Don’t be petty, it’s not pretty.”

“It is without the ‘R.’”

Giving me the side-eye, Amber handed over one of the tickets.

“Have I said thank you for coming with me?” I asked as I took it.

“More times than I can count.”

Leaning in, I pecked her cheek. “Thank you.”

The medication started kicking in just in time for us to board. Two strong drinks later, I was flying high—quite literally—reclined in my seat, only half paying attention to the in-flight movie.

Before I knew it, I was waking up to a full bladder and the voice of the pilot informing us we were landing soon.

By the grace of the flight attendant I was able to run to the bathroom.

In the mirror I checked for any unwanted blemishes that may have developed over the last six hours. I found none. Only crease lines from the pillow.

At least I looked good. Lost some weight. Had a nice summer tan.

Ah, who was I kidding? I looked like shit.

After frowning at my reflection, I threw open the door and marched back to my seat.

It was too soon. I wasn’t ready. The minute we deboarded Amber and I were hopping on the next plane right back to Chicago.

“What’s wrong? Your flip flop get sucked down the toilet or something?”

Ignoring her, I flopped down into my seat and fastened my seat belt. My belly flipped as we descended and I looked out the window, watching as the ground came closer and closer.

Even though we were sitting near the front, we were the last to leave the plane. The urge to kill Amber hit me all over again while I helped her fish her luggage off the conveyor belt.

After we piled into the cab and were well on our way to the hotel, I checked my phone, finding one missed message from Alyssa. I paled as I listened to it.

“What’s wrong? Who is it? Is everything all right back in Chicago? What’s going on?” Amber asked, getting more and more concerned with every unanswered question.

Holding up a finger, I silenced her until the message ended. I leaned back in my seat and set my phone on my lap. “Oh my God.”

“What? What is it?” Amber asked, leaning forward to better see the look of relief on my face.

“The venue for Alyssa’s reception double booked.”

“What?”

“Yeah.”

“Wait. What does that mean? How does one double book in Clallam?”

“I don’t know. But thank God they did.” Shaking my head, I cracked a smile. “Turns out the hotel we’re staying at had a cancellation so Alyssa’s getting married there instead. You know what this means, right?”

“Yeah. No eight-hour round trip. Sweet.”

“Well, yeah. But no.”

“I know. I know,” Amber said with a smile, tucking a flyaway behind my ear. “No Clallam, no Coll.”

My mood changed significantly since hearing the news. I was actually looking forward to the wedding knowing there was no way I’d bump into Coll outside of Clallam. There was no reason for him to be in Seattle. As far as I knew, he and Ethan weren’t friends and he hadn’t been invited.

Perhaps Alyssa’s intentions were innocent after all. Maybe she really did just want her friend at her wedding.

Once we reached the hotel, I called Alyssa back, then Amber and I got gussied up to go out and have a few celebratory drinks.

I slept soundly, miraculously waking up without a hangover. The shower felt cleaner. Breakfast tasted better. The sun shined brighter. The air smelled fresher.

Amber and I met Alyssa by the fountain out front at exactly noon. We had lunch poolside while Alyssa and I chatted about our students, the parents we couldn’t stand, and how much we missed each other.

Bored by us, Amber looked on, her eyes blocked by her big, round sunglasses. But she perked up when Alyssa started talking about the local fishery drama.

“Yeah. Everybody’s up in arms over this new Harbor Master. Something about unnecessary detaining.” She popped a scallop in her mouth, continuing to talk as she chewed. “Apparently he’s been on a mega power trip. The Union was called in, and they’re looking for a replacement.” She smirked. “And I hear your boy Coll is up for it.”

I looked at Amber who kept a straight face. It was no secret she hated Coll. Said by no means was I to hear from or see him and break because he didn’t deserve me.

“Oh, yeah? That’s great.” I nodded. “Good for him.” I meant it, too. I wanted him to be happy. I really did. And if being Harbor Master made him happy, then that was great.

Lowering my glasses over my eyes, I leaned back in my seat, trying to hold up the smile on my face as Amber and I exchanged a shaded glance.

Maybe Alyssa’s intentions weren’t so innocent after all.

*

Standing in front of the mirror, I ran my hands down the front of my dress. It was a simple yet sophisticated dusty rose number. Silk but pleated at the top, which gave it a crinkled effect that made it safe to roll and stuff into a duffle bag. It was flowy. Easy. Like this trip was supposed to be. Stress-free.

“Can you believe that at lunch?” Amber asked as she pulled on her dress. She’d been uncharacteristically quiet up until now. Now I knew why. “I mean, seriously. What was that? Was she trying to rub it in or something?”

“Rub what in?”

“The fact that he’s starting to settle down without you.”

Her words cut like a knife. It hurt hearing them out loud.

“We all gotta grow up sometime, I guess.” I shrugged, acting as though what she said didn’t affect me.

“Do we?”

Sighing, I flopped down on the bed to buckle the strap on my shoe. “I don’t know, Amber. You tell me.”

“Look, just because he might be staying in one place doesn’t mean he’s done any growing up.”

“I know that. You think I don’t know that?”

“What I think is that you’re going to get your hopes up.”

“Hopes up for what?” She was really starting to piss me off.

“For Coll. For him changing. For you two having some kind of happily ever after out there in Clallam where the women are fifty pounds heavier and all the men hate themselves.”

I held up my hands. “Okay, wow.” Pressing them into the mattress, I pushed myself up to stand. “I did not gain fifty pounds and you know it.” One hand on my hip, I pointed a finger at her.

“Yeah well, you probably would have if you hadn’t left. Maybe more.”

We scowled at each other from across the room until we both broke a smile. All our lives Amber could never stay mad at me and I couldn’t stay mad at her. No matter how offensive she could be. In the end she was always just looking out for me.

Walking over, I initiated the make-up hug.

Amber pulled me in and squeezed me tight, telling me what was really bugging her. “I don’t want you to leave again. I don’t think you want to either. I don’t think either of us could stand it.”

I nodded against her shoulder. She was right. I didn’t want to live in Clallam. I didn’t want to gain fifty pounds and end up with a man who hated himself. I’d only end up hating myself, too. I knew I would. I already had.

I let go of her before we started crying. We had already done our faces and were running out of time to finish getting ready for the wedding.

After I zipped her up and she threw on her shoes, we were out the door.

The evening breeze gently blew through our hair and up the skirt of my dress. I didn’t even bother trying to hold it down as we ran across the courtyard. We laughed as Amber’s heels dug into the moist ground, and she grabbed ahold of me, pulling me down as she fell into one of the wooden fold-out chairs.

Adjusting myself in my seat, I pushed the hair out of my face, sobering immediately when I spotted Coll watching us from across the aisle. I kept as neutral as I could, facing forward to fix the skirt of my dress while I had a mild panic attack.

He wasn’t supposed to be here. He wasn’t supposed to be invited.

“You know, Alyssa has really good taste. Peonies are my favorite. Always have been. Are you okay?” Amber finally asked.

Shaking my head, I licked my lips. “Don’t look, but Coll’s here.”

“What! Where?” Straightening in her seat, she did exactly what I’d told her not to do.

“Amber, stop!” I yelled under my breath, simultaneously tugging on her forearm. “I told you not to look.”

The music started and everyone around us stood. I chastised Amber with a look before pulling her up with me to watch as Alyssa floated down the aisle.

My eyes wandered off and on during the ceremony, finding him still looking my way.

From afar, time looked to have been his friend. But that could have just been me. I always did like it when he grew a little bit of scruff on his chin. The white button-down shirt accentuated his tan skin. He looked good. Really good.

Stop it.

My line of sight was blocked when the guests stood to applaud. I remained seated, hiding among the crowd. Grabbing Amber’s arm, I left the courtyard with the majority, using the mob of people as a camouflage as we made our way to the reception area.

My first line of business was to find Alyssa and Ethan and give them my congrats. They really did make an adorable couple. And the fact that Alyssa still wore heels on their wedding day made me love her all that much more. The silk of her dress felt nice under my embrace. It looked fantastic on her, the way it hugged every curve, accentuating her hips with a loosely tied bow.

But I was still mad at her.

“It’s Donna Karen. Can you believe it? I got it off eBay for a steal. Don’t tell anybody, but it’s got a small stain on the train.”

I made it my mission to find that stain as I moved out of the receiving line and walked past on my way to the open bar where a lemon drop—or ten—was calling my name.

With Amber hot on my heels, I booked it across the room to one of the empty bar stools. Ordering a lemon drop for herself, Amber pulled up a stool beside me.

“I can’t believe he’s here,” she said, absentmindedly stirring her drink.

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

I saw Amber mouth an “okay” out the corner of my eye. I held up a finger at the bartender, signaling for another. The more drops I drank, the braver I became, the more I wanted to spin in my seat and take a look around. I refrained though, closing my eyes and swaying to the music instead. My head was buzzing to the beat. My body felt warm and tingly. I barely noticed when someone walked up behind me and tapped me on the shoulder.

“Care to dance?”

His breath warmed the back of my ear. I felt his voice more than I heard it, the vibration nearly lulling me to sleep.

How did he expect me to dance when I couldn’t even stand?

Spinning in my seat, I nearly tumbled off to the side, but he caught me by the shoulders, pressing his fingers into my skin as he righted me on the stool. I held onto his forearms, keeping my eyes closed until the room stopped spinning.