“I guess Magnolia isn’t that different from Broadway in that regard.”
“I’m sure the gossip will die down there, too.” Miss Eleanor dropped her hands and stepped back. “You go find Gavin and make him listen to you. Then… he’ll do whatever he does. But you’ll at least have tried to make him understand.”
But how would he understand if she couldn’t tell him the whole reason, the real reason she left Broadway to hide out on Magnolia Key?
Cliff walked into Coastal Coffee that afternoon, the bell over the door jingling merrily to announce his arrival. Beverly sucked in a sharp, startled breath at the sight of him. “We’re closing, Cliff. Find somewhere else to eat.”
He glanced at the hours posted on the door. “Says you’re still open for forty-five minutes.”
“Closing early.” She glanced down at her clenched fists and slowly uncurled them, annoyed that he could get this kind of reaction out of her.Anyreaction out of her.
“A guy can’t even get a cup of coffee?” He tossed her one of his charming grins, the one she remembered so well.
But she was immune. “There are other places in town to get one.”
“But you have the best coffee on the island.”
“I do. But we’re still closing.” Why did he insist on coming around? Especially with their history. With the way he’d just disappeared from her life. After they’d planned a lifetogether.But she’d made a life for herself. A good life. Without him. Look at her now. A successful businesswoman with no need for him or any man in her life. But especially not Cliff.
She folded her arms and turned her back on him. He reached out and touched her arm, but she shrugged his touch away.
“Don’t be like that. I’m sorry. I was just a kid back then.”
“So was I. A heartbroken one.” Her words were filled with the bitterness she still felt, the old wounds still poking her.
“But that was in the past. You can’t hold a grudge forever, can you?”
“I can.” She turned back to face him. “And the rumor that you’re trying to buy the theater only adds to my extreme dislike of you.”
He scowled. “Okay, I admit, I tried to buy it. But Victoria wouldn’t sell it to me.”
“She wouldn’t?” Now that surprised her. She figured after all that had happened, Tori would cut and run.
“No. She was afraid I’d tear it down.”
“And was that your plan?” She cocked her head, watching his face closely to see if he would tell the truth.
“It was.” He shrugged. “Going to build a modern hotel. The island needs at least one of them. And if I can get the town council on my side for the property at the end of the boardwalk, we’ll have somewhere decent to stay there, too.”
“We have plenty of charming places for people to stay. We don’t need modern and new.”
“Then the town will just die away.”
“I don’t think so, Cliff. This town is stronger than you think.”
Maxine came striding out of the kitchen, her eyes flashing. “Cliff, what are you doing here?”
Beverly almost smiled at her friend’s defensive, protective attitude. And would have if she wasn’t so furious with Cliff.
“Just getting a cup of coffee,” he said casually, implying he had every right to be here.
“I asked him to leave, but… he’s not being very agreeable to the suggestion.”
Maxine walked right up to him and shoved a finger at his chest. “Cliff, just go. Beverly doesn’t want you here. And don’t come back, okay?” Her words came out fiercely protective.
He stared at Maxine for a moment, then turned his gaze back to her. “I never can do anything right in this town, can I?” With that, he turned and strode out the door, letting it slam behind him.
Beverly let out a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart.
