Sunset on Moonlight Beach - Sheila Roberts Page 0,121
both Jenna and Celeste. She also had a big to-do list as she and Ellis would be combining two houses’ worth of things into one.
But she was more than willing to make time to help Jenna with her party preparations, and the day before, she, Jenna and Celeste were busy in Jenna’s kitchen, baking cupcakes and brownies and making deviled eggs, as well as Aunt Edie’s famous baked beans. Henry was dispatched to buy hot dogs, buns, chips and pop.
“You’re finally free of him,” Celeste said on the big day as they started packing all the goodies into boxes and baskets to haul to the beach.
“Sort of. I’ll still have to see him when Sabrina finally graduates from college, and I’m sure he’ll think he needs to walk her down the aisle the day she gets married.”
“Sick and wrong,” Celeste said.
“He is her dad, even if he is a poor excuse for one, and they’ve managed to have some kind of relationship,” said Jenna.
“I guess something is better than nothing.”
“You’ve done what was required of you and you’ve weathered these five years beautifully,” Mel said. “I’m proud of you, darling.”
“You know what? I’m proud of me, too,” Jenna said. “It’s been a struggle.”
“And totally unfair,” Celeste added, full of indignation on her sister’s behalf.
“But I did it. Now with money not so tight I feel like I can breathe again.”
Except when she thought about not managing the Driftwood anymore. She’d given her notice, and asked Brody again about the possibility of buying it. He’d been evasive and that had been the writing on the wall. The place was now beyond her grasp. It was time to cut the cord.
“You have a bright new future stretching ahead of you,” Mel told her.
“I hope so,” she said.
If that future meant being alone, so be it. There were worse things. Like being married to a loser. Or marrying a user.
Pete and Henry hauled the boxes of supplies and two ice chests for drinks to the beach, and Seth showed up in time to help them. The three men gathered wood and Seth got the beach fire going.
Guests arrived bearing not only the promised champagne and cookies but makings for s’mores as well. And gifts. Lots of gift bags and envelopes with gift cards.
Tyrella led them in singing an old gospel song, “Oh Happy Day,” and once the champagne was poured, Courtney made a toast.
“To Jenna Jones, who has and always will triumph over trouble. You’re our hero.”
“Yes, she is,” put in Celeste. “And now we need to sing her new theme song.” She grabbed Jenna by the arm and hauled her up to stand next to her. “Okay, ladies, you know what it’s got to be. Hit it, Seth.”
Seth started strumming his guitar and they all began singing “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” raising champagne glasses, sloshing champagne everywhere.
It was a good moment in time. Jenna was giddy and laughing, enjoying herself vastly. Until she saw the man coming across the dunes toward them. Who had invited him? Certainly not her.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
The singing faded to a stop and an awkward silence fell as Brody approached. He wore jeans and a T-shirt, flip-flops on his feet. The breeze was ruffling his hair. Once upon a time he would have been a lovely sight to behold.
“Want me to get rid of him?” Pete asked, puffing up his scrawny chest.
“No, I’ll take care of it,” Jenna said. “Guys, we’ve got a lot more food to eat. Don’t let me down.”
She started across the sand to meet Brody halfway, her friends’ concerned murmurs following her. He stopped and waited, letting her approach him. Good, they’d be out of earshot. She could say whatever she wanted.
Although she wasn’t sure what she wanted to say. Why are you here? You’re not welcome. What happened to us?
He was the first to speak. “Your mom told me where you’d be.”
Thanks, Mom. “Why did you want to see me?”
“Maybe because I’ve missed being with you.”
They’d spent little enough time face to face, even after Brody took possession of the Driftwood. Jenna had made sure she kept the business of running the place to direct deposits and emails (including her offers to buy it) to ensure as little personal contact as possible. No texts. Brody was no longer in her list of contacts.
He was as handsome as ever, and even if that gorgeous Brody smile was looking a little tentative, it still had the same kilowatt power.