Coming Home to Seashell Harbor (Seashell Harbor #1) - Miranda Liasson Page 0,96

them the cost of the materials,” Kit said.

“He’s a nice guy,” Hadley said. “Funny too.”

“He’s the same old Nick,” Darla said. “I mean, I get why I fell in love with him in the first place. He still tells the stupidest jokes. And he still has that same ratty vintage baseball cap collection. One day he showed up with one he bought on our honeymoon in Savannah. Weird, huh?”

Weird. That was one word for it…

“Speak of the devil,” Kit said, nodding toward the boardwalk.

And suddenly there Nick was, walking across the grass near the boardwalk. He stopped to speak to Cam, who was chatting with the valet parking staff. Hadley couldn’t help but notice Darla looking with interest but pretending not to, a move they’d all perfected well during their teenage years.

“Maybe he’ll ask you to dance later,” Kit said.

“What is this, high school?” Darla waved a hand in dismissal. “I don’t want to dance with him.”

As they talked, a woman walked up to Nick and kissed him. He laughed and put his arm around her.

Darla’s eyes grew wide for a flash of a second.

“Oh,” Kit said. “Lauren. I’d forgotten about her.”

Darla tore her gaze away. “I’m definitely not interested in rehashing anything with him. And I hope he’s happy with her. Really. I wish him the best.”

Darla exercised her usual restraint about showing her feelings, but Hadley could tell from the way she forced a convincing tone and the way she suddenly fidgeted with her phone, that she was affected more than she let on.

“Oh, there are my mom and dad, standing by the fountain waving,” Kit said, waving back. “My first night in a century without Ollie and my parents are here to watch my every move.”

“Maybe they’ll leave early,” Darla said hopefully.

“I hope so,” Kit said, “because I’m really looking forward to those pineapple drinks with all the froth.”

“You mean piña coladas?” Darla said.

“Um, they’re called Tequila Sunsets,” Lucy said as she flew by with a large tinfoil-covered pan.

“They’re delicious,” Hadley said. “Lucy created them just for tonight.”

“You did?” Darla asked.

“Not only is it orangey and frothy,” Lucy said, “but it also has a little kick. Let me know how you like it.” She was out of breath as she rushed past them to the food tent.

“I want one,” Darla said. “Right now.”

“Parents or no, I’m planning on having two.” Kit looked across the greenspace, where her mom and dad were both still waving and smiling and trying to attract her attention. They all waved back while Kit let out a telling sigh. “I’d better go. See you both in a bit. Everything looks fantastic, Hadley.”

“Thanks,” Hadley said. “I hope you have a nice time tonight.” Kit deserved to have a little fun, and Hadley vowed to help her more in the future. Maybe she could introduce her to someone. Or babysit Ollie on the weekends.

As she walked off, Hadley asked Darla, “Are you okay?”

“Of course.” Her go-to answer. She survived cancer—she could survive anything. “I know better than to get my hopes up about Nick, okay?” she said. “I was just trying to be his…friend. Since I’m living here now.” She looked Hadley in the eye and gave that smile she always gave when she was trying to be tough and upbeat, which was nearly all the time. Finding Hadley still staring, she sighed hard. “I think I’m just a little…lonely, you know? And sometimes I wonder if coming back here wasn’t such a good idea after all. It stirs up…things.”

“Want that drink?” Hadley asked. It was the first thing that came to her mind. Because she sure wanted one, too, as soon as her responsibilities were done.

Darla grinned. “You read my mind. I’ll go get us some.” She paused. “You and Cam did an amazing job,” she said, changing the subject. “He’s a good guy, Hadley. I hope everything works out with you two.”

“I still have a lot of things to figure out. Like my future. And whether or not it includes him, I…I just don’t know.”

“But you’re figuring it out,” Darla said. “Bravo for you.”

Hadley left to check out the food tent, which was a crazy flurry of activity. Angelo and Lucy were plating food, Nick was hauling trays, teenagers were serving, and Cam…was nowhere to be found. “Can I help?” she asked Angelo.

“Yes,” he said, looking at her over his glasses as he spooned out pasta and then breaking into a giant smile. “You can go sit down and enjoy a nice dinner.