Nantucket Weddings - Pamela M. Kelley Page 0,50

“Ah. Your neighbor at the inn?”

“Yes, and soon at the condos. He recently bought the unit next to mine. The only two that were damaged in the fire.”

“Oh. Are we still on for next Monday night? For trivia?”

“Absolutely. I’m looking forward to it.”

Mia’s final breakfast Thursday morning was bittersweet. She was excited to move back into her condo, but was going to miss chatting with Lisa and Rhett over her morning coffee.

“Once I’m settled, Ben and I talked about having an open house the same day and having all of our friends and families come by. I’d love to have you over.”

“I think that’s a wonderful idea, and I’d love to see your condo. It’s such a beautiful spot.”

“And I can’t wait to hang the new painting I bought at Kristen’s art show. I think it’s going to look great in my living room with the white sofa and new hardwood floors.”

“It sounds lovely. And you and Ben doing it together. That’s very…neighborly of you. Are you sure there’s nothing to explore there? He seems like a catch for the right girl.”

Mia smiled. Lisa couldn’t help trying to play matchmaker.

“I really like Ben, but it’s not like that. He’s fun and a good friend. He’s definitely attractive, and if he were year-round on Nantucket, I might be tempted. But he’s made it clear that he’s not interested in being here much once the summer season ends. I think he’d be bored out of his mind in the winter. Ben is out every night. His real home is in the city.”

Lisa nodded. “A lot of people feel that way. You’re sure you couldn’t see yourself ever moving back there? And just spending time here in the summer?”

Mia shook her head. “I’m not even remotely interested in that. I love the seasons here, the quiet of winter when there are no tourists, and it’s just year-rounders. This is home to me.”

“That’s how I feel, too. I can’t imagine living anywhere else.”

Later that evening, Mia poured herself a glass of chardonnay and sat on the deck of her condo, with Penny curled up at her feet. She watched a gorgeous sunset over the water, watched the gentle waves rippling through the harbor, and she watched the boats coming and going. Will had done an amazing job. There wasn’t even a hint of smoke smell, and the walls were all newly painted. Between that and gleaming hardwood floors, the condo almost looked brand new. And Kristen’s painting looked perfect hanging just above her cream sofa. It added a splash of vivid color to the serene feeling of the room, with its white walls and windows that looked out over the harbor. Mia sighed with happiness. It was good to be home.

Chapter 20

Ben moved in the next day and was in and out, meeting with various movers and delivery people. Mia’s move had been much simpler as everything she owned was in Will’s storage facility, and he had insisted on overseeing the move since everything had been with him. So, when she’d walked in, it was almost like she’d never left, except everything looked shiny and new.

Ben, meanwhile, was coordinating with movers that brought some things he had in storage, his bed, and TV. He also had bought furniture for the rest of the condo—sofas, a dining table, another bed and bedroom furniture for the spare room. Mia was going to invite him over for a drink once he was finished, but he stopped by instead for a quick hello on his way out to meet friends.

“Are you around tomorrow?” he asked. “I told Bethany I’d give her girlfriend Alexis a few pointers. We have a tee-time at four at the club. We could use a fourth and I suggested you, if you’re interested. She thought it was a great idea. You can just share her clubs again. We’re only going to play nine-holes. Bethany had no interest in playing eighteen.”

“Sure. I could do that.” Mia liked the idea of playing with other people who were beginners.

“Great, see you tomorrow then.”

The next day was a beautiful day for golf. It was perfect Nantucket weather, sunny and around seventy-two degrees with a slight breeze. Mia had gone shopping earlier in the day and bought her first golf outfit—a bright pink golf shirt and a white golf skort that looked like a skirt over comfortable shorts. She even splurged and bought a pair of golf shoes and a Lilly Pulitzer visor that was a tangle of pinks,