“Gavin is… not a fan of anyone in the media. Reporters, magazines, papers. He… ah…” Beverly set down the coffeepot on the table. “Gavin had a rough time with the press here in Magnolia.”
“What happened?” She frowned.
“He made some remarks about the lighthouse when a reporter came to cover the renovations. They twisted what he said. They twisted it into saying he was against the restoration and against tourism and growth of the town. A lot of the townsfolk shunned him.” Beverly shrugged. “So he has a healthy distrust of the media.”
Miss Eleanor frowned in disapproval. “I stood up for him, though. That article was pure rubbish. Gavin loves the town and is totally invested in preserving its heritage along with making sure the town still thrives.” She defended him staunchly.
“I guess I can see how that would make him distrust the media. It’s too bad his words were twisted like that.”
Eleanor nodded emphatically. “Indeed. I defended him. Even wrote a letter to the editor. But the damage was done, and it took a long time for some of the townspeople to come around.”
“Gavin is a proud man, and he hasn’t quite forgiven the media for what they did,” Beverly added.
Miss Eleanor nodded and continued, “And I’ll not talk out of turn, but he had another run-in with them when he lived in Los Angeles. He has good reason not to trust them.”
Guilt crept through her at how she’d shut down his apology and thrown him out of the theater. The theater where he’d been such a help with the restorations.
Now, after hearing Miss Eleanor and Beverly’s truth about Gavin’s past, she saw his actions in a new light. “I didn’t know any of this.”
“Now you do,” Miss Eleanor said as she rose from her seat. “So what are you going to do about it?”
“I’m not sure.”
“You’ll go talk to him.” It was more of a command than a suggestion. “Just don’t let him shut you out.” Miss Eleanor turned and headed over to her regular table.
Beverly picked up the coffeepot. “He’s a good man, and I’m sure he didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. To accuse you of looking for accolades or anything like that. He’s just…”
“Distrustful of the media. I see that now.” She owed him an apology, at the very least. Maybe she could even salvage some of their friendship.
Beverly gave her a warm smile. “I hope you two can work things out.”
“I do too.” And she realized she really meant it. She’d missed Gavin since their argument. She missed sharing her day with him. Telling him what was going on at the theater. Their meals at Sharky’s. All of it.
Chapter19
Tori headed straight to The Bike Shop. Miss Eleanor was right. She needed to try and work things out with Gavin. She’d had no idea of his past run-ins with the media. But it still stung a bit that he’d accused her of doing the interview for her own personal gain. That simply was not true.
The door was propped open to the shop, and she stepped inside tentatively, taking a moment to let her eyes adjust to the dimmer lighting. Gavin crouched in the far corner, focused intently on a bike he was working on. She took a deep, steadying breath and crossed the concrete floor.
“Hey,” she said softly when she reached him.
His head jerked up, his eyes widening in surprise. He grabbed a rag, wiped the grease from his hand, and stood to face her. “Didn’t expect to see you here. Are you having problems with your bike?”
“No, it’s not the bike.” She wiped her palms on her thighs. “I… I wanted to talk to you. Apologize.”
He cocked one eyebrow.
“I didn’t really give you a chance when you came to apologize to me. I just sent you away. I’m really, really sorry.” She met his gaze, hoping he could see the sincerity in her eyes.
He eyed her closely, a frown wrinkling his forehead. “What changed?”
Honesty was the best way, she reminded herself. “I heard about what happened with the lighthouse restoration. How your words were twisted in that article and a lot of the town turned against you.”
His eyes narrowed. “Who told you about that?”
“Miss Eleanor and Beverly. But don’t be mad at them. I’m glad I know. I understand better why you didn’t want to talk to Felicity. You had no reason to trust her.”
“I don’t trust her or any reporter,” he said emphatically.
