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  “Confused on what? What else do you need me to explain?”

  “It’s not just you, it’s Nan’s actions too. She knew that I was hesitant to marry Jack. Hell, even moments before walking down that aisle I was ready to run, run away from this island and never look back. I knew my heart didn’t one hundred percent belong to him. I’d questioned my love and commitment for months, but she urged me right down that path… a path of destruction. Maybe she thought we were perfect for each other, I don’t know. But I was never going to be enough for him.”

  “I don’t think she knew the full truth about Jack. She loved you, Leslie, and wanted the best for you. She knew this was where you belonged. My life wasn’t the one for you; this life is more than I can live on most days. I can’t go to dinner without someone snapping a picture, wanting an autograph, or some blog twisting facts about something I say. She did what she thought was best.”

  “Maybe, but it doesn’t change the past, now does it?”

  “No, but all we can do is move forward.”

  “To where? Like you said, the two of us are different. We have different lives. I might have once thought about leaving here, but now this is my life,” she says, motioning around her as if I didn’t already know this.

  “I know,” I say low enough as I admit the truth to her. I know she’ll never leave here; she’ll never want to fit into my world. It doesn’t mean that it doesn’t hurt any less. I swore I’d never become the person I am today, but I have. It doesn’t help that if Leslie ever finds out what I’m writing now, I’ll never be welcomed back to this island.

  “Are we done with Pandora’s box?”

  “I have one last question,” she says as she locks eyes with me.

  “Go ahead,” I say as I brace myself.

  “Why did you say you never loved me? You know when you broke up with me, why did you say it was all a joke and that you were only getting close to me because you needed Nan’s help?”

  “I lied, I wish I could go back and change it, but I can’t. I had to make sure I hurt you enough to keep you away. I couldn’t just say we were over; you’d have flown out to change my mind. I had to let you go, had to let us go.”

  “It doesn’t make sense, Justin. Why was us being together such a terrible thing?”

  “My parents, okay. They thought we were too young, and they never wanted us together in the first place. Come on, Leslie. You were the kid that most families were scared of, the one they questioned everything about? When I left, I knew what was going to happen. They held my college tuition over my head. I had no other choice.”

  The moment everything is out and in the open, everything I’ve said embeds into her soul—I know. This was the one thing I never wanted her to know. Not that it mattered to me about her parents or her past, it did to my family. They come from old money, ones that don’t need a scandal. That’s what we would have been in their eyes.

  “Well, glad I know I can still be the talk of this town. Who knows what people are still saying, but last time I checked this place has finally accepted me and my missing parents. Thanks for that, Justin,” she says before standing. I know this conversation is over, but will there be another one down the road? The way I look at it, we’ve covered about everything that needs to be covered.

  “Thanks for dinner and the walk, but I know my way back.”

  Just like that Leslie’s gone. I watch her as she heads home, my eyes never leaving her shadow until it fades into the darkness of the night. I have to shake this feeling. The one where I want to make everything better for her. Where I want to be apart of her life again. Maybe I should pack up and leave, never look back at this island. I’ve got enough to complete my book; Lord knows I know how this story ends. I’ve lived it my whole life. No matter the way I spin it, it ends the same. This story is more than just a story now, it’s closure to the past.

  I slide out my phone, pulling up Christina’s name. Hitting call, I wait for her to answer.

  “Hello, Justin. How’s the story coming along? Are we on schedule?”

  “Why did you send Chloe here?”

  “She wanted to come check on you. You and I both know you need to clear your head and release some stress.”

  “How about you stay out of my personal life from this point forward. Oh, and to answer your question, the story is almost done,” I say before ending the call. Screw it, I’m already here. I can’t leave this time before Leslie forgives me. That is for the past.

  Chapter Eleven

  Leslie

  I tossed and turned all night last night, replaying the conversation that Justin and I had. In the last two years, I’ve not missed Nan as much as I do now. She’s not here to question, to defend her actions. Was Justin telling me the truth? Replaying it on a constant repeat, I dial Haddie’s number, requesting her presence and coffee ASAP.

  We’re both in the back lounge area of the store, where I’ve been rehashing last night’s event’s with my best friend since she arrived. I stop in mid-sentence, then glance over and glare at her before asking, “Have you read any of his books?”

  “Yes, why? Haven’t you read them?”

  “No, I think you’d know if I had. Why would I want to read them?”

  “I know you would, and I think you should read them. Maybe it would explain a few things.”

  “How could it possibly explain anything?”

  “Let’s just say… Oh, some things have happened and only those who know the real Justin would know what those things are.”

  “I might, I don’t know what to do, Haddie?”

  “How about stop overthinking every single thing in your life. Give it a go and, for what it’s worth, I think Nan did the right thing.”

  “Really, you think their plan was executed correctly?”

  “Maybe it could’ve been done a little different, but look at what all you’ve done since then. Can you honestly tell me that if things would have gone differently and you lived in California with Justin, that you’d have kept this place?”

  “No, I don’t know what I would’ve done. Guess you’re right,” I tell her as I take in the shelves that are filled with words.

  “Did you see him this morning?”

  “No, I dropped food off in his room and left. That man is grumpy as all get out.”

  “Serves him right,” I say with a smile. I’m not sure what will happen, but I can’t get this feeling of wanting to know more about the new Justin out of my system. He’ll be leaving soon, and nothing’s been mentioned about him staying or coming back. I’m half listening to Haddie talk about Elliott when I start texting Justin.

  Me: Want to break for dinner tonight?

  Justin: Sure, what time and please tell me you aren’t cooking? I do want to live.

  Me: HA HA! I can cook, but I don’t like to. What about Skipper’s? Dinner and a few beers?

  Justin: Sounds perfect, I’ll pick up at six.

  Me: You do know that I can just meet you on the sidewalk, right?

  Justin: Yes, but that wouldn’t be a date. This makes the second date, so things are looking up.

  Me: Not a date, just two old friends catching up.

  Justin: Look up the definition of date, babe. This will make it the second one. See you later.

  I ignore his last text as there’s no way to win with him.

  “What’s that smile for?”

  “Nothing, just going to dinner with Justin tonight.”

  “Really? It’s nothing, huh… Well, I hope you know what you’re doing.”

  “Me too…” I say softly, but I know those words aren’t true. I have the slightest idea of what I’m doing. After saying goodbye to Haddie, I can’t help but wonder what it is that she was talking about with Justin’s books. It’s not that I don’t care about his career or the success that he’s had; it’s more that I wanted to put that part of my life away. You know, tuck it down deep where you compress all your feelings into the bottomless pit. Running my fingers along the spine
of his first novel, I debate if I want to slide it off the shelf and open the pages of ‘Down by the River’

  “Screw it,” I say out loud, snatching it from its resting place. Moving toward the front of the store, I take a seat in one of the lounge chairs near the door. If I’m reading while working, I at least need to make sure I can keep an eye on the store.

  Flipping open the hardcover, I turn each page as I quickly read what’s imprinted. The normal copyright, table of contents, about the author, and then I land on the dedication.

  ‘Nan, this is for you and the stories you once told me.’

  I can’t help but let a smile spread across my face as I think back to the stories that she used to tell us all.

  Chapter One

  There’s an ancient wives’ tale around the small island of Kingston. Once you go down past the docks by the river, you never return. That’s why I was sent here. It’s to study the history of the island, the mystery of the townspeople disappearing. I’m not a believer in such things, but all the evidence points that I’m wrong. The county records show that every ten years either a person, couple, or whole family vanishes from the island. How could this be possible, I’ve often wondered. How is it, that if you take a walk past a certain location on the marsh on a particular day, you’ll never be seen again? This is the start of the mysteries of Kingston Island. Where are the locals going?

  Justin’s words flow with ease. I’m in awe of the way he’s captured my attention quickly. The way that now I’m sucked in and want to curl up here and finish reading, but with the sun setting it’s time to close and get ready for, what he calls, our second date. I bookmark my chapter, just as it’s getting deep with the young lady who works the docks.

  Placing it down, I run upstairs to freshen up. It’s a little cool out so I grab my black leather jacket that’s perfect to wear over my boyfriend tee and skinny jeans. Satisfied, I go back downstairs to wait for Justin on the front porch.

  I spot him across the way and can’t help but smile as he approaches me. I notice he’s dressed casually in jeans and a black tee covered in different shades of blue plaid. My heart flutters in my chest as I notice how comfortable he looks. It’s not just from his attire. It’s his whole demeanor. He’s allowing himself to get reacquainted with Kingston Island.

  “You need to shave, did you know that?” I ask as I run my fingers along his chin.

  “Noted. You look beautiful tonight,” he tells me.

  “Come on, I’m starving.”

  Justin takes my hand in his, leading me down the stairs and out on to the sidewalk. His hand squeezes mine a little more as we continue down toward Skipper’s. It’s quiet out, the moon casting a glow as our flashlight.

  Rounding the corner, I break the silence. “I started reading your first book,” I say and can feel tension run through my fingers as Justin grips my hand a little tighter than before.

  “Really?”

  “Why do you sound so shocked?”

  “Just… Well, you’ve not read them before, so I figured you wouldn’t.”

  “No, I just didn’t want to go backward I guess. I didn’t want to feel connected to you in that sort of way.”

  “Haddie told you to read them, didn’t she?”

  “Maybe… Do you not want me to?”

  “No, you can. It just makes me nervous, that’s all.”

  “Nervous why?” I ask as we enter Skipper’s.

  Justin tosses up a hand toward Elliott as he leads me toward the back where an open booth is. Sliding in, I’m still waiting for him to answer. I open my mouth to repeat myself but shut it quickly as our waitress appears. Seems if you want quick service, you take Justin with you.

  “What can I get y’all?”

  “Two beers, an order of corn fritters, and she’ll take a water too.”

  I turn my head toward Justin, raising my eyebrows. “What if I wanted something else?”

  “Okay, what would you like to drink, Leslie?”

  “That works, but I can order for myself next time,” I say. It’s not that he got the order wrong; it’s the fact that he ordered for me. Jack did that all the time. The only difference between them both ordering for me is that Justin knows what I want and what I like. Jack would have ordered some girly cocktail and no corn fritters. Justin remembers that I love them and how my mouth will water for them.

  Justin leans toward me to whisper, “Sorry, I shouldn’t speak for you.”

  “It’s fine, I just get a little crazy when someone tries to control my life now.”

  “Noted,” he says as he pulls away from me, breaking the warmth that I felt from having him so close to me.

  Looking down at the table, I ask, “You going to tell me why you’re nervous?”

  “Because it’s you. I can take critics and the world hating my books, but you… It’s you, Leslie. What if you hate them or see through the bullshit?”

  “I always see through bullshit, usually. So far, from what I’ve read, I’m loving it.”

  “Where are you in it?”

  “Our hero is smitten with the dockhand,” I explain with a laugh.

  “Oh, okay… I see how you’re spinning this.”

  “I’m not spinning anything, but what dockhand do you know?”

  “I knew one once.” He tosses a wink in my direction as our waitress sits down our drinks.

  “Your fritters will be out soon,” she says before walking over to the table in front of us. It’s not busy yet, but give it another hour and this place will be packed. That’s a good thing for Elliott and what happens when this is the only place around that you can have live music, beer, and an excellent meal at the same time. When we want what we call a fancy dinner, we make reservations over at Gloria’s. She owns the cottage around the corner from the bookstore. She converted it years ago into a restaurant. More of the older crowd will dine there, as Skipper’s is, and will always be, considered the Bar & Grill. Me personally, I’d rather spend my time here. My friends and I tend to keep Elliott in business. It’s not the drinks that we will share but the atmosphere and food. Elliott gets the freshest of seafood and meat in town. For this, I will always come here first. Plus, Haddie and Elliott will one day realize the chemistry they have for each other and seal the deal.

  “Hey, you two, what do I owe this occasion?” Elliott asks as he slides in next to me, giving me a one-armed hug.

  “Just catching up,” I say, knocking my shoulder into his chest.

  “Correction, this is our second date,” Justin states, and I can’t help but laugh at his admission to Elliott.

  “Second date, huh?”

  “Nope, just dinner with two old friends,” I repeat my words from earlier, hoping to get someone here to believe them.

  “Well, with that said, I’m going back to work.” Elliott slides out, tossing a wave at the two of us. I watch as he heads back toward the bar, the way he stops and chats with his customers quickly.

  “You do realize, Leslie, that this is a date.”

  Ignoring him, I change the subject. “How’s the writing?”

  “I see what you’re doing, and I’ll play along for the time being.” He shifts next to me, moving a little closer so he can wrap his arm around the back of the booth. He’s not touching me, but I can feel the warmth of his skin near my neck. “Writing is good, I’ve got a few more chapters, and the first draft is done.” I let that sit for a bit. Before I respond, the fritters arrive, and I plop a hot ball of corn, sugar, and flour in my mouth. It’s better to just keep a mouthful than to say what I want to say. My mouth betrays me, and with a mouthful, I mumble, “What’s next?”

  “Not sure, I’ll have to go back to California soon, but I was thinking I could come back.”

  “Come back for what?”

  “Maybe another date, or to catch up with an old friend.”

  “I’m sure Haddie will be excited to catch up with you,” I say with a laugh.

  “I’m sure she will.”

  �
�When are you leaving?”

  “Not until I’m done and we have a third date.”

  “This is not a date, Justin. We’ve been down this path once before, and as you would say—that chapter is closed.”

  “That chapter, Leslie, was a long time ago and stories can be re-written; you do know this.”

  “I do, but it’s only the classic of stories that get re-told or made into a movie. This is neither.”

  “Oh, I think we would make a great classic story.” I swat at his shoulder, pick up the menu, and pretend that I don’t know what I already want for dinner. I’m not even sure why Rose gave us a menu. I know this thing by heart.

  After eating, we stay seated in our booth listening to one of the local country bands. I’m thankful for the music. It’s giving me time to not stress about what to say. It’s also giving me a chance to just sit back and relax. Yes, relax into Justin’s chest as his arm has now ventured from behind me to across my shoulder. This is definitely more than two friends playing catch up. It’s a date. Shit, how did I allow that line to get crossed? How is it that Justin Albott will always get me to fold to him? Mentally, I remind myself that he’s leaving soon. He’s almost done with his book, and this will be over.

  Chapter Twelve

  Justin

  Kissing Leslie on the cheek before leaving her this evening has caused a mixture of confusion. I told her I was leaving when I’m finished, but I also spoke up and made the mistake of saying I’d come back. In reality, I’m not sure if that’s the truth or it was said just to make the night go smoothly. Yes, I’d like to come back and see her again, but my life isn’t here. I have a home, an office, a team of people who work for me all on the west coast. Her light is still on, and I can see that she’s curled up in the window reading. She’s reading ‘Down by the River’. Is she going to figure out that the dockhand is her? Will she figure out that each lead heroine in my books are her? I’m sure she will, but as I look over at my laptop that’s the least of my worries. I’m four chapters away from typing the end to my final Kingston Island Mystery, and the closer I get the mystery is disappearing as romance is lacing through each page. Christine, my agent, is loving the twist, the change of my hero. He’s no longer the one searching for answers in a town’s mystery that will never be solved. No, he’s searching for the love that he envisioned one night on the river. He’s currently trying to gauge if it was a ghost, a reality, or an old wives’ tale coming to life.