His answer was immediate.
Marshall: You don't have a place to stay tonight?
Saylor: This will do for now.
Marshall: Good luck tomorrow.
I groaned in frustration. Good luck tomorrow? That was all he had to say?
Saylor: Thanks.
Our relationship was stilted. It was over. I wouldn't be calling him or texting him to discuss our day. We wouldn't live together anymore. There wouldn't be any more pancake breakfasts, impromptu lunches, or walks on the beach.
I was in shock from the abrupt change. I'd have to get used to living alone again. I pulled out my work clothes and hung them in the small hotel closet.
I had a big day tomorrow. I wasn't used to working in an office or reporting to my boss every day. I had to get back into the swing of things and fast. I didn't want to lose my job to one of the younger workers, the ones who seemingly lived on energy drinks.
I checked my phone repeatedly as I got ready for bed, but Marshall didn't message again. I had to come to terms with the fact that our relationship was over. My life was in Jacksonville once again. There was nothing for me in Sanibel.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Marshall
On the drive to Naples, Hayden kept up a steady stream of chatter, distracting me from my desire to turn the truck around and demand that Saylor stay with me in Sanibel.
We'd established a temporary relationship for the summer, and it was over. I didn't have the right to make demands of her.
I hated feeling out of control. I'd vowed that I'd wait for her to realize what we had and tell me how she felt. But what if she never did?
I felt like I was spiraling, struggling to stay focused on the drive and even when I met with Hayden's mother.
I thanked her for giving me the summer with Hayden and said I wanted to be more involved. She was open to me visiting Hayden whenever and agreed that it would be good for her to have both of us in her life.
I came away from the conversation feeling lighter about the situation. She wasn't going to stick to a strict schedule. She was flexible.
It helped that Hayden was a teenager, and they had twin five-year-olds that demanded a lot of attention. Selfishly, I wanted Hayden with me all the time, but that wouldn't be fair to her mother or her. She had a large extended family, and it was important for her to spend time with all of us.
My heart ached for the time I'd lost, but I fully intended to be involved now. Or as much as she'd let me be. Hayden would fall right back into her friend group and be busy with school starting soon.
The drive home was harder. I had to grip the wheel more tightly so I wouldn't put Jacksonville in my GPS. I had to let Saylor go. Otherwise, I'd never know if she really wanted me.
The restraint was physically painful. I drove straight to Hudson's, knocking on his door with a heavy hand until Elena opened the door with wide eyes. "Is everything okay?"
"I just dropped Hayden off at her mom's."
Her face filled with sympathy as she opened the door wider. "Hudson's outside, cleaning the pool."
"Thanks," I said as I followed her.
She opened the door to the deck, and we headed down the stairs to the patio. "Marshall's here to see you."
Hudson nodded. "I thought you'd stop by."
I dropped into the edge of a lounge chair, spreading my legs wide. "I dropped off Hayden at her mother's. She's going to be flexible when I want to see Hayden."
Hudson gripped the handle of the pool net and looked at me. "That's great news."
I shrugged. "I mean, I want her with me all the time, but that's not realistic."
