she go with hardwood floors and she liked that idea. They were more durable, and she could choose different throw rugs in various colors to accent them. And in the remote chance there was ever a fire again, the wood could likely be salvaged, sanded down and refinished.
Her door was ajar, and she could hear Will hard at work. When she stepped inside, he was in the kitchen, scrubbing away at the very sooty walls. He turned at the sound of her footsteps, and pulled off the mask he wore to protect from the chemicals and soot flying around in the air. He ran a hand through his sandy blond hair, pushing it off his face. Will and Mark were such opposites in looks. Will was taller and thinner, with light skin, a dusting of freckles across his face and arms that were lean and muscled from working with his hands all day.
“Hey there. Come out on the deck and I’ll show you the samples.” He led the way through the living room to French doors that opened to one of her favorite things about the condo, the small outside deck that overlooked the pier and marina. It was a beautiful day, and Mia paused for a moment to admire a sleek thirty-foot sailboat that was gliding toward the marina.
Will handed her the first of several polished pieces of wood. “So, I brought a few options. I think you mentioned that you like some of the darker woods, like Brazilian Cherry?”
Mia nodded. “I do, but I’m glad you brought a few different ones because I really am not sure what would be best.”
Will showed her the various wood samples and explained what each was. They were all lovely, but she was drawn to one that was darker with almost a rose tone to it.
“That’s the Bolivian Rosewood. It’s been popular these past few years.”
“I love it. I’ll go with that.”
Will explained how the process for installing the floors would go, and that he’d order the materials and start once all the cleanup was done. He had a calm, confident way of talking, and it was clear that he loved what he did. Mia knew he’d taken over his grandfather’s business after graduating college. His grandfather was ready to retire then, and his father had no interest in the business. Will did all kinds of custom woodwork, too, building entertainment centers and bookcases, even built-in office desks.
“How’s business? Is this a busy time for you?” she asked.
“Very. We had a client push off a project, which is how we were able to start on this so soon. We are booked up for months.” He grinned. “It’s a good problem to have.”
“And not surprising. You do beautiful work. How is Caroline? I haven’t seen her around in a while.”
An uncomfortable expression flashed across Will’s face and he looked away for a moment before answering. “We broke up, actually. She moved off-island yesterday.”
Mia’s jaw dropped. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea. She moved?”
He sighed. “Things hadn’t been great with us for a while. I thought it was maybe just wedding stress, but it was more than that. We both sort of realized that we were getting married just because it was what everyone expected, the logical next step. Not because we were madly in love and eager to spend the rest of our lives together.”
“I don’t know what to say. I guess it’s better to figure that out before the wedding, though, right?”
He nodded. “It is a good thing. Or at least it will be. I’m still getting used to the idea of it. Ultimately, Caroline didn’t see herself staying on Nantucket long-term either. She was getting stir-crazy to get off-island, and, well, I can’t imagine ever leaving. This is home to me.” He looked thoughtful though before adding, “Though I suppose if she was really the one, I would have found a way to make it work somewhere else if it meant being together. It’s still nothing like what you went through, though. How are you doing? I still miss Mark. I can’t believe it’s been a year.”
“I know. It seems like it just happened and yet is sort of like another lifetime ago. It’s still hard sometimes, but not as hard as it used to be. So that’s something.”
He smiled, a slow, sympathetic smile, and she knew he understood.
“What are you doing on Sunday?” he asked.
“No plans. Why, what’s going on?”
“I’m having a cookout. All the usual suspects will be