But Chloe needed more than safe. And vulnerability was something he’d trained himself to avoid at all costs.
“Daddy, please!” Chloe’s eyes were wide with pleading, her small hands tugging at his sleeve as they sat on the porch steps. “You promised we’d do fun stuff here, and Ms. Claire said everyone’s going! Even Gabe!”
Jack exhaled, rubbing a hand over his face. The last time he’d been to a gathering like this had been years ago—one of Amanda’s charity events. He had stood awkwardly at the edge of the room, sipping his drink while she floated effortlessly through the crowd, making connections with a grace he never quite mastered.
He had always let her take the lead, content to observe rather than engage. But now, without her, the prospect of socializing felt even more daunting. There was no buffer, no one to smooth over his abruptness or make small talk feel effortless.
And yet, as Chloe looked up at him with hopeful eyes, he realized this wasn’t about his discomfort. It was about making sure she had a life beyond just the two of them. He had spent years perfecting the art of avoidance when it came to social events. But this wasn’t just about him. It was about Chloe. And as much as he wanted to keep their world small, he knew she needed more than just him.
“Fine,” he muttered, watching Chloe’s face light up like she’d just won the lottery. “But we’re not staying long.”
Chloe beamed, practically bouncing in place. “You’ll love it, Daddy. I just know it.”
Doubtful, but unwilling to crush her excitement, Jack found himself in the middle of a lively beachside plaza as the sun dipped low, casting the sky in brilliant strokes of pink, orange, and gold. To his left, a couple swayed slowly to the soft strumming of a guitar, their murmured conversation drowned out by the distant crash of waves.
An elderly couple sat on a wooden bench near the dunes, hands clasped, watching the horizon in a comfortable silence. Children huddled around the bonfire, jabbing marshmallows onto skewers, their faces glowing in the flickering light.
Jack absorbed it all, feeling like an intruder in a world that moved with a rhythm he had long forgotten. The ease, the warmth, the effortless camaraderie—it all felt foreign. And yet, a small part of him longed to understand it.
The sand shifted beneath his feet, warm and slightly damp from the receding tide. Music drifted from a set of speakers near a makeshift dance area, blending with the rhythmic crash of the waves. The scent of grilling seafood mingled with the salty ocean air, making his stomach tighten with a hunger he hadn’t realized was there.
He caught snippets of conversations—neighbors exchanging stories, old friends reminiscing, children squealing as they chased each other near the shore. A burst of laughter rang out from a nearby group, easy and uninhibited, a stark contrast to the tight coil of tension in his chest.
Jack gritted his teeth. This was exactly the kind of thing he had wanted to avoid.
Chloe, however, had no such reservations. The moment they arrived, she spotted Gabe and sprinted toward him, the two of them dissolving into a blur of giggles as they joined a group of children running along the shoreline.
Jack remained stiffly in place, scanning the crowd. A flicker of uncertainty tugged at him, but he caught sight of a man about his age near the drink table. He straightened his shoulders and forced himself to move forward, each step deliberate, as if trying to prove something to himself. Social interaction had never come easily—but tonight, he would try.
"Nice turnout," Jack said, grasping for something neutral. The man—tall, broad-shouldered, and easygoing—grinned and nodded. "Yeah, Seaview loves any excuse to gather. First time at one of these?"
"Yeah," Jack admitted, shifting slightly. "Just moved in."
"Welcome, then. I'm Ben. Been here for about five years now. Trust me, it grows on you."
Jack nodded, unsure of what to say next. Ben seemed friendly enough, but the natural back-and-forth of conversation still felt like an uphill climb. After a beat of silence, Ben clapped him on the shoulder good-naturedly. "Well, good luck, man. If you stick around long enough, they’ll make you one of their own whether you like it or not."
Jack offered a tight smile and stepped away. The conversation had been fine—normal, even—but it only underscored the gap between him and the world around him. He had shown up, hadn’t he? That had to count for something.
The noise pressed in around him—cheerful chatter, bursts of laughter, the occasional shout from children playing near the bonfire. He felt like an outsider looking in, a spectator to something he didn’t quite understand. His fingers curled into fists at his sides, a subconscious reaction to the unfamiliarity of it all. Social gatherings had always been Amanda’s thing; she could work a room with ease, making people feel seen and valued. Jack, on the other hand, had always preferred the controlled environment of the hospital, where conversations had a purpose and emotions didn’t threaten to drown him.
A memory stirred—Amanda laughing at a neighborhood potluck back in Charleston, her eyes crinkling as she passed him a plate piled high with food she’d made him promise to try. She had nudged him forward then too, whispering, “Just smile and nod, Jack. They’ll love you.” And they had. But only because Amanda made everything easier.
Now, with no one to bridge the gap, Jack stood at the edge of this circle of warmth, feeling like an impostor, unsure of where—or if—he fit in. He had done his part. He had shown up. That counted for something, right?
“Jack! You actually came.”
He turned at the sound of Claire’s voice, watching as she approached with an easy smile, the glow of the bonfire casting warm light on her sun-kissed skin. She held a drink in one hand, her relaxed posture a stark contrast to his own rigid stance.
“Chloe wouldn’t take no for an answer,” he admitted, shoving his hands into his pockets.
Claire grinned. “Smart girl.”
He exhaled through his nose, scanning the crowd again. “Looks like a big turnout.”
She followed his gaze, nodding. “Yeah, it’s kind of a Seaview tradition. People like to welcome newcomers properly.” Her eyes flickered to him, amused. “You don’t look like you’re enjoying the welcome.”
Jack huffed a quiet laugh, shaking his head. “I’m not great at…this.” He gestured vaguely to the sea of people mingling around them.
