Shore Feels Right

by Annette Mardis

  “No,” she interrupted. “I’m afraid not.”

  And just like that, his hope disappeared like used bathwater down the drain.

  “Do you even know what I was going to say?” he asked.

  “You’re wondering if by normal I mean that there’s a possibility we can reconcile. Right?”

  “Well, yes. We do have unfinished business, you can’t deny that. I haven’t stopped loving you. And I find it hard to believe the feelings you had for me have gone away”—he snapped his fingers—“just like that.”

  Cosby took a step toward her, and she took a step back. He didn’t like the way she avoided looking him in the eye.

  “I’ve been updating my résumé and searching job listings online,” she told him, her tone matter-of-fact. “I think it’s time for me to leave Gulf Shore.”

  He couldn’t have been more surprised if she’d sucker punched him. Wait…that’s exactly what she just did. There were so many things he wanted, needed to say, but the only thing that came out of his mouth was, “What?” Way to go, smooth talker. That’ll win her over.

  “I need to go somewhere else and start over,” Monica continued. “Things just keep going wrong for me here. A change of scenery might do me a world of good.”

  “So that’s it? You’re giving up? You won’t even give me a chance to convince you that I’ll never doubt you again?”

  He couldn’t help it; he reached out to stroke her cheek. But she stopped him cold with a single word. “Don’t.” Her eyes welled, and she added, “Please.”

  Cosby hadn’t cried since he was twelve and watched his family’s cocker spaniel get hit by a car in the street in front of his house. The dog survived, but he’d been beside himself while his beloved pet underwent emergency surgery. Now, he blinked back tears and cleared his throat to try to dislodge the lump that felt like it was blocking his airway.

  “Sorry, I’ve got something in my eye.” He turned his head and wiped away the moisture before it could escape. He wasn’t about to lose it in front of her.

  “Listen, why don’t you come by one day this week while I’m at work and pack up the rest of your stuff? Afterward, give your key to Melanie so she can pass it along to me. I think the sooner we make a clean break, the better we’ll both feel.”

  Cosby wanted to scream. Is she serious?

  “It’s going to take a hell of a lot more than that for me to feel better,” he ground out. “But maybe I’m just an idiot for thinking you were capable of caring for someone else. Maybe you really are the person people warned me about.”

  She blanched and he knew his words had hit their mark.

  “Cosby—”

  “Forget it. There’s nothing more to say.” He turned on his heel and walked toward the door.

  “Wait, please!” she called. “Let me explain.” But he kept going as if he hadn’t heard her.

  * * * *

  Monica felt like her heart had been ripped from her chest, kneaded, and punched, then stuffed back inside her body. She half stumbled to the conference room table and dropped into a chair before her legs gave out. She’d been so close to throwing herself at him and begging him to come home. What had stopped her? She didn’t understand it. Why couldn’t she give voice to her true feelings?

  As she stared at the wall and tried not to give in to tears, Tanner stuck his head inside the room.

  “You okay, Monica?”

  She looked at him without really seeing him. Tanner sat beside her and took her hand in his.

  “Want to talk about it?”

  The tenderness she saw in his eyes was almost her undoing. A sob burst out before she managed to regain control.

  “I love him so much. Why can’t I accept his apology and give him another chance? What the hell’s wrong with me? Why do all my relationships crash and burn?”

  “Maybe you’re afraid to be happy,” Tanner suggested.

  “What I’m afraid of is spending the rest of my life miserable and alone.”

  “Is this about that skirmish between him and Raines? Because from what I heard, Cosby got the bad end of that deal.”

  “Without going into the sordid details, Truman said some things that made Cosby worry I’ll be unfaithful to him. I know this is ironic coming from me, but how can I be with someone who doesn’t trust me?”

  Tanner reached over and wiped away the tear that rolled down her face.

  “Did he say that?”

  “Not in so many words.”

  “Look, you’re a beautiful, desirable woman. Guys stare at you all the time, and not many of them bother to hide it. You know how you affect men.”

  “So what? It’s not like I do anything about it anymore.”

  “No, but you could snap your fingers and replace Cosby in a heartbeat, and I’m sure he knows it. That kind of thing can really mess with a boyfriend or husband’s self-confidence. It crossed my mind more than once when we dated.”

  “It did?”

  “Sure. I have my insecurities like anybody else.”

  “Well, so do I. You don’t think other women look at Cosby as if he’s a piece of man candy? As if they’re imaging what he’s like in bed?”

  Tanner shrugged.

  “You bet they do. But he doesn’t notice any of them, so I never worry he’ll stray.”

  Tanner raised an eyebrow. “Never?”

  “That’s right.”

  “Come on, Monica, be honest. If not with me, then with yourself.”

  That gave her pause. She’d be lying if she said it didn’t bother her when other women flirted with Cosby or checked out his…assets. A few times, she’d come close to growling, “Back off! He’s mine.”

  “Okay, fine. I admit it. He could have any woman he wants. Sometimes I wonder what a prince of a guy like him is doing with a witch of a girl like me. I feel like I don’t deserve him. What does that prove?”

  “I think you know the answer to that.”

  She gave Tanner a mulish look despite knowing full well what he meant.

  “You want me to spell it out?” he challenged. “Fine. Cosby doesn’t hold it against you when you’re unsure of yourself, so cut the poor guy some slack.”

  “It’s not that simple.”

  Tanner shook his head.

  “It isn’t!”

  He nudged her with his elbow.

  “Tanner.”

  “Monica. You’re the one making it complicated. You’re truly in love for the first time in your life, and you’re scared to death it won’t last. I get that. But if you’re intent on finding a reason to prove this thing between you two won’t work, you’re bound to come up with one, valid or otherwise. When are you going to stop punishing yourself?”

  A bitchy little voice inside her head told Monica not to admit Tanner might be right. She smirked at him.

  “I think you’ve been watching too much Dr. Phil.”

  He merely smiled and patted her arm. “Just think about what I said. You’re a smart woman. You’ll figure it out.”

  After he left, Monica sat there a little longer as two questions swirled in her overtaxed brain. Did I subconsciously sabotage our relationship in fear Cosby eventually would figure out I’m not good enough for him? Was our breakup about hurting him before he could hurt me?

  She knew the answer to both questions. But she wasn’t ready to admit that the only thing she’d accomplished was to hurt them both. She wasn’t sure she could live with that truth.

  * * * *

  Dani was so surprised she nearly dropped her cell phone when her mother called to say she’d decided to fly down to Gulf Shore for a visit. Dani’s grandmother had been making slow progress with her physical therapy, but she still had so much further to go that it was wearing on her and, in turn, on Rita Davidson. She continued to visit her mother daily at the rehab center even though she acted like she’d rather stare at the wall than acknowledge her daughter’s presence. Plus, Rita and her husband were still bickering when they weren’t ignoring eac
h other.

  “I’ve had enough. I need to get away before I lose my mind,” she told Dani.

  “I wish you hadn’t let it get to that point, Mom, but I’m glad you finally decided to visit.”

  “Are you sure I won’t be in the way, dear?”

  “Of course not. We’ll have plenty of time to spend together now that Evan’s waist-deep in a new project. He’s working on a children’s picture book about the aquarium’s animals. A good friend of mine, Shelby Dean, who volunteers at GSA, is writing the text to accompany his photographs.”

  Shelby had been a reporter and editor with several Tampa Bay area newspapers for many years before finally leaving the business during yet another round of layoffs. Wesley already had made it clear he wanted Shelby and Evan to tackle other Gulf Shore Aquarium books when they finished their current collaboration.

  “A book? How wonderful!” Rita gushed. “But what happened to that other thing you told me about, the 4-D theater was it? I figured he’d be busy with that.”

  “So did Evan. But Wesley, the big boss, has postponed it indefinitely because of a lack of funding. He counted on one of his rich friends to finance the theater but that fell through.”

  “Well, that’s a shame, I guess.”

  “Yes and no. Evan looked forward to the challenge of making 4-D movies, but his plate is piled pretty high right now. And the man who’d promised to back the project wore out his welcome here. We’re all better off without his help.”

  Chapter 37

  Truman Raines packed up his wallet and left Wesley’s office in a snit after he badgered the billionaire yet again about dropping the criminal case against Cosby. Truman wouldn’t commit to it, especially after Wesley admitted that no matter what his friend decided, he wasn’t welcome at the aquarium any longer. Truman questioned Wesley’s parentage, called him enough foul names to turn the air blue, and slammed his door so loudly that Wesley’s startled secretary spilled her coffee.

  As he took angry strides toward the front gate, Truman detoured over to Turtle Lagoon, where Monica was introducing the turtles to a new environmental enrichment device, a fancy term for toys or other items designed to make their habitat more interesting. He stood at the rail glaring at her before she finally acknowledged his presence with a scowl.

  “I’m banned from this place, which means you people will get no more of my money and a guy I loved like a brother has betrayed me. All because of you!” Truman accused.

  “Don’t blame me for unpleasant consequences you brought on yourself,” she shot back.

  “You’re a bad seed, Monica. Everything you touch turns to shit, and you end up hurting everybody who cares about you. You could’ve had whatever you wanted if you’d hooked up with me. But you’re destined to wind up without anyone or anything, slaving away for a pittance for the rest of your life. You really are an ignorant, useless bitch.”

  “There isn’t a damn thing I want from you except to see you walk out of here and never come back. Go away before I call security.”

  Truman let loose a wicked laugh. “That’s big talk for a woman who’ll never amount to much. You’re nothing but a low-rent slu—”

  “Shut your filthy yap right now,” interrupted an angry masculine voice, “and get the hell out of here before we throw you out.” Biologist Jack Barfield, who’d entered the habitat unseen through the rear entrance, stood there like an avenging superhero. “On second thought, stay. I’d like nothing better than to hand you your ego-inflated head after I rip it off your body.”

  “You think you can take me on?” Truman’s top lip curled up, and he had a dangerous glint in his eyes. “Go ahead. Take your best shot, you pussy little nerd boy.”

  “What about us?” another voice challenged. “You foolish enough to fight all three of us?”

  Truman turned just as Tanner and Evan walked up to flank him on either side. Sweat broke out on the billionaire’s brow as he backed up a few steps.

  “Not so brave now, are you, Mr. Moneybags?” Tanner taunted.

  “You assholes are like a pack of junkyard dogs,” Truman snarled. “You’d like nothing more than for me to sink to your level. Well, I’ve got news for you. I don’t roll around in the gutter with trash. Screw all of you. You’re not worth my time or my generosity.”

  He beat a hasty retreat as the other three men glowered at him.

  Tanner pulled out his phone and called security to suggest one of the guards make sure Truman left the property without doing any damage. Meanwhile, Monica’s other two rescuers focused on her welfare. Her hands shook, but she assured them she was fine.

  “He’s nothing but a worthless coward,” Jack consoled. “Good freaking riddance.”

  “I don’t think we’ll have to worry about him showing his face here again,” Evan remarked. “And if he does, we’ll be happy to boot his ass back to whatever hole he crawled out of.”

  “I’m sorry to drag you guys into my drama once again,” Monica said. “But I can’t tell you how much it means to me that you’re on my side. I owe you, big time.”

  Jack grinned. “I, for one, intend to collect. How about treating us to beer and wings at Bikini Barb’s after work tonight? And maybe some nachos, too. I’m getting pretty hungry. Being a badass is more taxing than I thought.”

  “You’re on. After what just happened, I’ll buy you whatever you want.”

  * * * *

  Barb’s was busy that night, and they had no choice but to crowd around a small table at the back of the room. Dani sat on Evan’s lap, Jack had Stella tucked into his side, and Tanner stood with his arm around his girlfriend, Courtney. Monica tried to ignore the fact she was the only one who wasn’t paired up, and she wished Flipper would hurry up and arrive.

  For some reason, Stella seemed determined to convince Monica that she and Cosby belonged together. Stella’s voice carried even when she wasn’t wound up, but tonight she was sucking down sangria almost as fast as Jack could get refills from the bar. The more she drank, the louder her voice boomed. People didn’t call her Megaphone Mouth for nothing.

  “You need to get on the phone right now and give that hunk of yours a call,” she insisted.

  Monica winced. Her head ached, and she hadn’t even finished her first glass of beer.

  “Get him on down here,” Stella continued, ignoring Jack’s attempt to shush her. “A guy like that won’t be without a woman for long, you know. I sure wouldn’t let such a stud get away.” Jack gave her an affronted look. “Oh, sorry, honey, I didn’t mean anything by that. You know I think you’re sex on a stick.”

  Monica gritted her teeth. “I’m sure you mean well, Stella, but I don’t want to talk about Cosby, all right?”

  “Can you honestly tell me you don’t still love him?”

  “Didn’t you hear what I just said?”

  Stella crossed her arms over her abundant cleavage. “Just answer the question.”

  Everyone at the table stared at Monica now, and she wanted to hide under the table or bolt out the back door.

  “It doesn’t make any difference how I feel about him. It’s over. Period. End of story.”

  “I think you’re making a huge mistake,” Stella observed.

  “Well if I am, it’s mine to make. Now can we change the subject, please?”

  “I’m not done—”

  “Oh yes you are,” Jack interjected. “Let Monica be.”

  “But—”

  Jack shut Stella up by planting a sloppy kiss on her plump lips. When he started to pull away, she yanked him back for more. They didn’t come up for air for quite a while despite loud throat clearing and grumblings of “Get a room.”

  “All righty then.” Feeling even more awkward now, Monica decided to steer everyone else’s attention in a different direction. “Courtney, how’s work going?”

  “Great. I’m trying to line up a day for my kids to visit the aquarium.” She taught third grade at Gulf Shore Elementary School.

  They talked abou
t that for a few minutes until Flipper walked into Barb’s with his boss, Kenshin. Then the conversation took another turn as they rehashed the scene with Truman earlier that day.

  “You can kiss your 4-D theater goodbye,” Flipper told Evan.

  “It’s worth it to have that asswipe gone once and for all.”

  Flipper turned to Monica. “I hope Truman doesn’t continue to pursue charges against Cosby out of spite. The guy really put his ass on the line for you.”

  Stella held her finger to her mouth as if addressing a classroom filled with rowdy children.

  “Shhhh! She doesn’t want to talk about him. Even though he’s the best thing that ever happened to her. Oops. No offense, Evan, Tanner.”

  Evan shrugged. “None taken.”

  “Likewise,” Tanner agreed.

  Monica set down her glass and reached into her purse for her wallet. She tossed some cash on the table.

  “That should be enough to cover what we’ve ordered and then some. You guys enjoy the rest of the evening.”

  Stella narrowed her eyes. “You’re leaving? But they haven’t even brought our food yet.”

  “I’ve lost my appetite. And I’m beat. It’s been a long day.”

  As Monica stepped away from the table, Jack put his hand on her arm to stop her.

  “Don’t go. Stella promises to mind her own business for a change. Right, baby?”

  She frowned. “Well, I—”

  “Hey, look,” Flipper interrupted, providing a welcome distraction. He pointed to the closest wall-mounted television. “There’s our new promo.”

  They all looked up as scenes from the aquarium flashed across the screen. Stella squealed when she saw herself in the background at Turtle Lagoon. Kenshin high-fived Flipper as another scene showed him working with two dolphins. Dani stared wide-eyed when the camera panned across Shark Pier and zoomed in on her talking to a group of Boy Scouts.

  “Evan, you didn’t tell me I was in your commercial.”

  He pressed a kissed to the palm of her hand. “I wanted it to be a surprise.”

  “Oh, God, the camera really does add ten pounds,” Dani lamented.

  “What are you talking about?” Jack argued. “You look totally smoking hot like you always do.”