Sutton
I sat on the widow’s walk of my parents’ house and stared out over the bay. So much had happened in the last few weeks. A major storm. Gannon nearly dying from falling off the pilot boat. Jack showing up every time I turned around. It was enough to make me want to jump in my car and drive until I got to the Pacific Ocean.
“Hey, are you okay?”
Glancing over my shoulder, I smiled to see Palmer there. “Yeah. Just needed a place to clear my head.”
She sat down next to me and handed me a beer. “Thought you might need this.”
I noticed my hand shaking as I reached for it.
“Are you going to tell Mom and Dad that Jack stopped by the boutique?” she asked.
“No, and don’t you tell them either. Mom has enough to worry about with the restaurant and Dad’s health. I’ve got it under control. I’m pretty sure they know he’s back in town anyway. It is Seaside, after all.”
Palmer didn’t say anything, and when I looked at her, she gave me a sympathetic smile. “Sutton, I know you never told anyone how bad it was with him, especially toward the end. But I don’t think you should try to handle this alone. Jack was… he was unhinged. I saw it with my own eyes. He was livid that you filed for divorce, even after you caught him with another woman.”
I brought the beer to my lips and took a long drink.
“What were you and Brody arguing about the other day when I walked into the storage room?” she asked.
My body stiffened. “Nothing.”
“You’re such a terrible liar.”
Turning to face her, I drew in a deep breath. “What if they find out he’s been coming to the shop and write about it?”
Palmer’s brows drew in. “The gossip columnist?”
I nodded. “I mean, they’ve been so occupied with Gannon and Addie lately, but what if…”
“Don’t ‘what if,’ Sutton. You know what Mom says about that. Besides, would it really be that bad? Who cares if they write that Jack is back in town? Maybe it’ll light a fire under his ass to sell you his half of the shop.”
Dropping my head back against the chair, I let out a frustrated groan. “You’re right, I know you are. I feel so lost and confused.”
She reached for my hand. “Talk to me, Sutton. Please. If you would open up, maybe I could help.”
I wiped a tear away as I looked out over the water.
“Does this have anything to do with how you feel about Brody?”
A bitter laugh slipped free.
She nodded. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
It was time to change the subject. “Hey, didn’t Addie go in for her job interview with the hot new doctor?”
Palmer grinned. “Way to change the subject. And yes. She texted that he offered her the job. Gannon is taking her out tonight to celebrate.”
I smiled. “I’m so glad they found their way back to each other. They were meant to be.”
She nodded. “Soul mates.”
My heart dropped, and I fought to hold back tears. “Do you think we’ll ever be that happy, Palmer?”
After taking a sip of beer, she thought about her answer for a few moments. “I sure hope so. I look at how Addie beams when she sees Gannon, or when anyone even mentions him. I want that so much…but sometimes I wonder if not all of us are lucky enough to get a love like that.”
All I could do was nod. After a few moments of silence, I asked, “You believe in soul mates?”