Gavin strode across the floor, not saying hi to anyone, although Beverly was fully aware he knew the customers still sitting at the tables. He headed over to the counter. “Got my to-go order?”
Beverly stood. “Sure do. Let me just grab it for you. Oh, Gavin, you’ve met Tori, haven’t you?”
He just bobbed his head, hardly glancing at Tori. She shook her head as she went into the kitchen. Gavin was his own worst enemy. Keeping up his walls. Afraid to let anyone in. Not that she really blamed him after what had happened. But still, how many years could you hold a grudge against the whole world?
A knot tightened in Tori’s stomach, his indifference stinging more than it should. Her heart drummed in irritation. She wasn’t sure Gavin could annoy her any more than he had at The Bike Shop, but it appeared he could. He was basically ignoring her. Or was it more… dismissing her? What in the world made him think he could just keep acting like a cold-hearted jerk? Not that she cared. She’d gotten her bike. That’s all she needed from him.
Beverly returned and handed Gavin a sack. “Here you go.”
“Thanks.” Gavin dropped some bills on the counter, turned, and walked briskly to the door, his footsteps ringing with dismissal.
Fine then. He’d hardly acknowledged her. She was fine with that. Really. Okay, not really. She was used to people recognizing her. Wanting to talk to her. Beingniceto her. But then, she wanted her anonymity now, didn’t she?
Yes. Yes, she did. She wanted to fly under the radar in hopes they didn’t find her.
And really, why did his opinion of her matter, anyway? It didn’t.
“His bark is worse than his bite, I promise.” Beverly’s voice was laced with understanding and compassion.
Compassion she herself wasn’t willing to show after how he’d treated her. “If you say so.”
Maxine set down her coffee and leaned forward. “Did you hear the rumor that someone is interested in buying the old theater and tearing it down?”
“No,” Beverly said, her words cutting through the air. “That can’t happen. I know it’s closed now, but with a bit of work, it could still be used for… something.”
“Rumor has it that it might be Miss Eleanor’s son, Cliff, wanting to buy it.”
Maxine and Beverly passed a look between them, but Tori wasn’t sure what that was about.
“Cliff needs to be stopped. Both his desire to build his high rise at the end of the boardwalk and his ridiculous idea to tear down the theater.”
“A high rise at the end of the boardwalk?” Tori frowned. “That seems so wrong. It will ruin the whole atmosphere.”
“We’re trying to stop him.” Beverly shook her head. “But Cliff always seems to do just what he wants. What’s best for him.” Bitterness edged her words.
“I remember the theater from when we used to come here. My grandmother would take me to plays there.”
“They used to put on so many plays there. Always had two productions in the summer. And then another couple in January and February when the snowbirds come to hide out from winter. Oh, and the children’s Christmas program was held there. The high school graduation. And a few other events during the year. Oh, and movie nights. Can’t forget those.”
“Right, the movie nights. We went almost every week when we were girls, didn’t we?” Maxine’s lips curled into a gentle smile, her eyes full of warmth at the memories.
“You two knew each other back then?”
“Best friends. Since—well, since we were born. Maxine just moved back here a bit ago. Love having her back,” Beverly said.
She was envious of the close relationship they had. A lifelong friendship. Something she’d never had. She pushed her jealousy away and went back to the theater talk. “Why is it closed now?”
“The repairs got expensive, I guess. I’m not sure who owns it now. It’s been sold a few times, but never opened again.” Beverly shook her head.
“That’s a shame. It was such a pretty theater.”
“It was.” Maxine stood. “I’ll get coffee refills for our remaining customers.”
“I should get back to work, too.”
“Thanks for letting me join you.” Tori was thankful for the company.
“Anytime.”
