“I could. Forgive Dad, I mean. Or, I would, anyway, if he’d meet me halfway. We’re already such a small family; we need to stick together.”
“Maybe, if Joe hadn’t died . . .” His mother squeezed his hand. “I can’t live with the gloom much longer. I ache, too, but there are still beautiful adventures ahead if we embrace them, like travel, and grandchildren.”
Her wish for a grandchild floated like a leaf in the breeze, landing silently between them. His mother would be a loving, patient grandmother. If he could hand her that gift now, he would. Instead, he sat there, holding her hand, hoping he could be enough for her.
Together they watched a few young kids and moms packing up their things after a day at the public beach.
“I remember bringing you two down here when you were little.” His mother’s eyes watered as she traveled back in time. “You’d work so diligently, building structures out of this muddy sand, and no matter how many times Joe messed them up when trying to help, you never once got mad. You were so patient with him.”
Alec’s last bite of gelato barely slid past the lump in his throat. His memories of those summer outings were mostly sad because of how things had changed over the years. None of his patience had amounted to much with Joe at the end of the day.
Would his parents’ marriage be another casualty of Alec’s lie and Joe’s stupid jump? So far, he hadn’t done jack shit to improve his family situation. He hadn’t the faintest idea of his next move, either.
Moments like this made him second-guess everything. Rebuilding his reputation would be meaningless in the face of his family’s deterioration. But with Colby . . . the prospect of her affection kept him from throwing in the towel. Of course, even that would be based on a lie.
“I’m glad you stuck with our tradition today. You could use some sun.” Sara elbowed Colby and smiled, then tugged her into yet another jewelry booth.
Every July except the one last summer, they’d attended the annual Sunday Sidewalk Sale in the Pearl. Thousands of people poured into the neighborhood as local shops and restaurants set up tents or tables filled with discounted items. In nearby Jamison Square—a square-block-size urban park bordered by a tree-lined, wood-slatted sidewalk—kids squealed while playing in the expansive water fountain and dancing to the dulcet tones of a local folk band. Idyllic, if it weren’t for her memories.
Last year she couldn’t make herself return to her and Mark’s old neighborhood. Today she forced it, although she’d avoided looking any farther north. Still, recollections kept bursting through her subconscious like pinpricks. These streets held history she couldn’t quite face without feeling a little faint and sweaty.
“Sorry I couldn’t make it earlier.” Colby eyed a bunch of purses hanging in front of one tent, forcing her mind to focus on the here and now. “Brunch didn’t shut down until three.”
They’d packed a full house today. Early success had given her a heady feeling. Almost as heady as finding a dainty crystal bud vase on her desk with a single pink tulip this morning. Alec hadn’t said anything, but she knew he’d done it. A bold move. One that had flustered her into silence. Now she felt silly for not thanking him.
“It’s fine. I shouldn’t shop too long anyhow.” Sara fingered earrings hanging on a jewelry tree, refraining from coddling Colby or pressing her to talk. She didn’t intrude into other people’s personal affairs, instead offering unwavering support in a gentle, silent way. “The restaurant had an excellent first weekend, right?”
“Totally booked, and next week and weekend are booked solid, too. That article sparked a lot of interest.” A proud grin spread. Together, she and Alec just might make A CertainTea the place to eat. He’d said others had lost faith in him, but she couldn’t believe no other restaurant owner wanted him. No. He’d chosen her over others, and, selfishly, she was glad.
“Too bad it also sparked problems for Alec and his dad.” Sara sighed, her gaze continuing to scan the accessories on display.
“It did?” Colby’s grin faded. Alec hadn’t mentioned that when he’d been sending her funny videos and surprising her with her favorite flowers. Maybe it wasn’t her business, but the fact he’d hidden it from her niggled. It also reminded her of how much easier Alec’s life would be if he worked for someone—anyone—else.
“Alec mentioned it to Hunter during one of their cycling workouts this past week.” Sara then raised a silver-and-moonstone necklace for closer inspection before Colby could probe for more information. “They say moonstone helps with fertility. What do you think?”
Sara held the necklace against her breastbone and cocked her head. If moonstone worked, Colby would empty her wallets and drape Sara in the gemstones. Unfortunately, she doubted they’d help more than the failed fertility treatments. “It’s very pretty.”
“Can’t hurt.” Sara’s wan smile tugged at Colby’s heart. At the same time, she admired the way Sara and Hunter faced life and loss together.
While Sara paid for the item, Colby’s thoughts returned to Alec and his father. Alec had thrown himself on Melissa’s sword to keep Colby from having to discuss Mark. If Mr. Morgan gave Alec an ultimatum, would Alec leave A CertainTea and her? She wouldn’t want him to become estranged from his family for her, but she also wouldn’t want him to leave. What did she want?
The memory of their recent kiss rushed back, washing through her, warm and frothy. It did that on a regular basis, like ocean waves rhythmically pounding the shore. But she’d sensed sharks in that surf and yanked herself out.
“Where’d you go?” Sara clutched the little white bag in hand, her brows slightly pinched in concern.
“Nowhere. Just a lot on my mind.” Colby guessed that Sara thought she was thinking about Mark, who’d ended his life mere blocks away. The only other time she’d come back to the Pearl, she’d consciously avoided looking toward Lovejoy Street. When she and Mark had first moved here, they’d been so in love, they’d believed their street name to be a good omen instead of the perverse joke it became.
“I thought you asked Gentry to join us.” Sara hooked arms with Colby as they meandered to the next booth, effectively steering her away from the memory.
“She’s working here with Jake today, so keep an eye out for the hot dog cart.” Colby chuckled. “That’s driving my dad over the edge.”
“Isn’t that her goal? Ooh, Bonnet!” Sara’s attention snagged on that store’s sale tent, so she dragged Colby inside. “I love these hats. Especially this red-and-gray Lady Mary.” Sara placed the cute hat on her head and framed her face with her hands. “See?”