Even as she said the words, they felt like the sand under her feet had moved to her mouth. It wasn’t a silly pipe dream, but Anthony was right about the money.
“Anyway, thank you, Tessa,” she added softly as they brushed off the sand from their feet. “This really helped me.”
“Anytime.” She smiled, but it seemed tighter than when she’d arrived. “You look for those practice tests and I’ll work on the subsi…thing.”
“I will warn you,” Crista said. “She hates that kind of math. Will do anything to avoid it.”
Tessa flicked her hand. “Trust me, darlin’. She won’t even know she learned it.”
With that, she gave a quick wave and hustled down the boardwalk, leaving Crista alone on the beach, a little surprised she’d left so abruptly.
Crista turned to the water, looking to see the teal and turquoise shimmer again. If Nolie passed that test, she promised herself, Crista would bring her down here in the middle of the night to see this.
Blue magic, indeed.
Tessa hadn’t slept well after her conversation with Crista on the beach. Not that the bomb Crista had dropped was a shocker to her—there were days when she found it hard to believe that the Lawson family would really keep this home. They were, in fact, sitting on a goldmine.
If she had to decide between a gorgeous beach house or a couple of million dollars, Tessa had to honestly say she didn’t know what she’d do. Money was a necessary evil and the Summer House was a luxury.
Not to mention the fact that Tessa simply couldn’t count on living here even if they owned it. It was one thing to spend a summer at Vivien’s invitation, but even that would come to an end.
She needed enough time to establish her business and actually earn a steady income before she found something to rent. Could that be done by November, when the Lawsons would make the decision?
Hard to say. She wasn’t paying Lacey anything but a small percentage of what they’d make off this event, and yet she was out meeting with florists today.
As she stepped out of her room to get coffee and start the day, she heard someone in the laundry room…moaning?
“What’s going on in there?” she called before she reached the door, biting back a laugh. “’Cause it doesn’t sound good.”
“It isn’t good,” Vivien said, sticking her head out and holding something off-white. “I’m thinking I might have to say goodbye to these forever.”
“What…oh, these are those pretty pants you…yikes.” Tessa took a look at the weird wrinkles and some discoloration on the expensive trousers. “Yeah. Water stains?”
“I looked up Belgian linen and tried to follow the directions to dry them properly, but…” Vivien made a face. “I’m sad because I loved them.”
“I can see why.” Tessa turned the pant legs one way then the other. “Let me ask Akari, the bridal salon owner. She’s an expert with fine fabric. Can I take them to her at my next meeting?”
“Yes! Thank you!” Vivien beamed at her. “You know what you’re an expert in, Tessa?”
“I believe you once called me a ‘goodtime girl,’ Viv. So I’m going to guess I’m an expert in fun.”
“You are,” Vivien said on a laugh. “Also in problem-solving.”
Tessa inched back, not expecting that. “Huh. Thanks.”
“I talked to Crista this morning and she’s over the moon about your idea to give Nolie a practice test! Look how you’ve turned that situation around.”
“Which situation?” Tessa asked. “How wrong she is about my dad or Nolie’s learning challenges?”
“Both.”
“So you don’t think my dad had anything to do with your father going to prison?” Tessa asked.
Vivien considered that, searching Tessa’s face. “I don’t know. I don’t really want to think about it.”
“Well, I get that. But once Maggie’s in the picture…”
“She’s not going to be in the picture,” Vivien said confidently, leaning on the countertop over the washing machine. “For one thing, she’s announced that she will never step foot in this place, for reasons none of us know or understand. But when my mother makes a decision, she doesn’t change her mind. And for another, I’m hoping we don’t sell.”
