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In some ways Sea Kiss was a typical Jersey Shore town. During the summer months the population swelled five-fold thanks to the invasion of the part-time residents and tourists that the locals referred to as Bennys. There were varying explanations for how that term had come about. Some said that in the early 1900s a now non-existent train line had run to Bayonne, Elizabeth, Newark and New York and the tickets had borne the initials of those towns. Still others claimed it was because those tourists would flash their cash in the faces of the locals, Benny referring to Ben Franklin on the tourists’ $100 bills.
For many years Emma had been a Benny and it was only thanks to her friendship with her best friend Maggie Sinclair that the locals had befriended her at first. Maggie was a clam digger as the locals would say. The Sinclair family had deep roots in Sea Kiss, Emma thought as she strolled down Main Street toward the beachfront and the Sinclair home.
The early November day was glorious and unseasonably warm. As she walked down the street and the locals shared friendly smiles and waves with her, it was clear that after nearly nine years of living down the Shore, most townspeople had forgotten Emma’s Benny status and accepted her as one of their own. That acceptance had its good points and bad, the latter being the intense interest that locals had about their fellow full-time residents.
As she neared the heart of Sea Kiss some of the shopkeepers were taking advantage of the nice weather to have some coffee in front of the bakery before opening their own stores.
“Hey, Em! Why don’t you join us?” called out Sammie, the millennial owner of the town’s surf and skate shop.
“Yes, please sit and chat,” added Jesse, the young widow who owned the cheese shop adjacent to Sammie’s store.
Emma paused, and smiled, their invitation appreciated. “I’d love to, but the ladies are waiting for me at Maggie’s.”
“To plan ‘the most epic wedding ever’ according to Jon,” Sammie said with a chuckle. “Jon” being Jonathan Pierce, the self-made prodigal son surfer dude who had come home to Sea Kiss. Jon was bringing his start-up tech business with him as well as marrying her best friend Connie, she of the hip check that had started the whole bouquet/garter/kiss Carlo problem.
“That’s what Carlo and I plan to do,” she said with a nod, although worry lurked within that she and Carlo had been a little off lately.
“You always do, Emma. The two of you put together the most amazing weddings,” Jesse said and lifted her paper coffee cup in a toast. “I know this one is going to be even more fabulous.”
With a laugh and shake of her head, Emma said, “Not too much pressure considering the wedding’s only weeks away.”
“Is Connie handling it okay? I mean, with moving to Sea Kiss and the baby and all,” Sammie asked, real concern in her voice.
Emma nodded. “She’s doing great and it’ll be nice to have her here. I’d love to keep on chatting, but I’ve got to go,” she said and with a wave, continued the walk toward Maggie’s oceanfront home.
But as she passed the bakery’s front door, Carlo barreled out, his head buried in the leather notebook he used to keep notes. He stopped short as he realized he was about to plow into someone. Bright color stained his cheeks when he saw her.
“Em, hi . . .” he said and awkwardly mangled the notebook in his hands.
“Hi, yourself,” she said and rose on tiptoes to drop a kiss on his cheek, only he had shifted, and she ended up grazing his nose.
“Sorry,” they both said at the same time and did a little shuffle back and forth, almost as if trying to get back into step. It was typical of how things had been out of sync between them lately.
With a grimace, Carlo gestured with the notebook toward the bakery. “I was just dropping off an order for bread for a holiday lunch I’ve got to cater.”
Emma nodded and motioned down Main Street. “I was just headed to Maggie’s.”
“Is that today? I’m sorry, I didn’t –”
She laid a hand on his to both stop his apology and to reassure. “No, the planning meeting is not today, Carlo. We’re just getting together for breakfast.”
Beneath her hand the tension in his body relaxed and spread to the rest of his body. With an easy shrug, he said, “Sorry, again. I seem to be saying that a lot lately.”
He did, but then again, so did she. Even their almost daily calls were filled with hesitant delays and off-putting interruptions instead of the fluid chatter and laughter that she had used to eagerly anticipate.
Wanting things to go back to normal, or as normal as could be given the change the kiss had begun, she squeezed his hand and said, “You never forget a thing, Carlo. That hasn’t changed. It’s why I know I can always count on you.”
He sucked in a deep breath and held it for a second before slowly releasing it, his gaze locked on hers the entire time. “It is why you can count on me, Em. For anything.”
She nodded. “For anything. So I’ll see you tomorrow at Maggie’s?”
He dipped his head. “Tomorrow morning. Nine sharp.”
“Nine it is,” she said and once again rose on tiptoes, this time landing a perfectly chaste kiss on his cheek. But then he shifted, moved downward and brushed a kiss across her lips. It was a barely there kiss that might have otherwise gone unnoticed, only it roused memories of that other kiss. The one that had curled her toes and had her leaning into him, wanting so much more.
Too much more, she thought as she jerked away, feeling the heat that had risen up to her cheeks and ears. Hating that with her pale complexion he was bound to notice the color.
His dimpled grin confirmed that he had, but he playfully tapped her nose and said, “See you tomorrow, meu amor.”
“Tomorrow for sure,” she said and hurried off. But as she took a quick peek back, she caught sight of his determined glance in her direction before he began to chat with Jesse and Sammie. Driving away thoughts of Carlo, she quickened her pace, already running late for breakfast with her friends.
On Ocean Avenue, bright sunlight gleamed off a sea as smooth as glass, but there was a slight chill along the boardwalk from a light ocean breeze.
A chill not unlike the one that would settle between her and Carlo at times ever since that wedding night kiss. A kiss that had unfortunately snared the attention of the locals for a good part of the summer and early fall.
She had been hoping that after the wedding the talk would turn to typical summer things. Which town had won the annual lifeguard contest. How many Bennys had to be pulled from the surf when they ignored the red flag warnings that said it wasn’t safe to swim. Instead, “the kiss” seemed to have taken a life of its own for the better half of the summer since the locals were in love with love and eager to see two of their adopted own find their happily-ever-after.
Hopefully the locals would soon latch instead onto Connie and Jonathan’s upcoming wedding, as well as the baby they’d be having sometime in late spring. She was looking forward to having Connie around more often in addition to Maggie and her other best friend Tracy. The women were like sisters to her, even though they all couldn’t be more different in every which way.
Maggie, whom they teasingly called Mama Maggie, was their rock and the one who everyone went to for advice since she was normally level-headed and responsible. In part it was why her precipitous decision to marry Owen Pierce had shocked all of them. Luckily, it was all working out for her friend.
Connie was the crusader in the group, always watching out for all of them and anyone else who needed help. It was no wonder that she and Jonathan had fallen in love one summer. Everyone could see that Jonathan was like a ship lost at sea that had needed to find the right port to call home. Luckily after years apart Connie and Jonathan had found their way together.
Last but not least, there was Tracy. Drama Queen Tracy, a woman in love with being in love which had resulted in a marriage that had turned out to be a mistake of major proportions. Tracy had looked for love in all the wrong places.
And who are you, Emma? the little voice in her head prodded as Emma neared Maggie’s home.
Emma wished she knew. Like Maggie she often found herself doling out advice to anxious brides and her friends. Like Connie she was there to try and fix any problems that came her way. And she hated to admit it, but like Tracy, she was in love with love. All those traits made her a fabulous wedding planner and friend.
But still not right for Carlo? the little voice in her head challenged.
She ignored the voice as she neared the Sinclair and Pierce mansions which were nestled side-by-side on Ocean Avenue and on the beachfront.
Heart filled with joy that she’d soon be with her friends, she marched up the walk where mums in full bloom lined the path. The bright yellow and pink flowers complimented the joyful colors of the Sinclair’s Victorian “painted lady.”
Visiting the Sinclair home had always made Emma happy, maybe because it had become her second home of sorts. During her college years she and her friends had spent a great deal of time there with Maggie and her live-in housekeeper, Mrs. Patrick, who was a surrogate grandmother to all of them.
Emma was barely halfway up the walk when Maggie flung the door open wide. Her smile was as bright as the sun-filled day and her blue eyes gleamed with happiness. Connie stood beside Maggie, her smile just as radiant. A second later, Tracy’s head popped up behind her other two friends, but there was no real joy there. Tracy’s smile was forced and dark circles, like charcoal smudged across drawing paper, gave testament to sleepless nights.
“Hurry up, slow poke. We’ve been waiting for you,” Maggie called out and urged her on with a sweep of her hand.
Emma picked up her pace and had set no more than a foot beyond the threshold when she was enveloped by the warmth of her friends’ hugs, kisses, and laughter.
She joined in, chuckling and returning the embraces as they tumbled together like playful puppies toward the kitchen at the back of the house. “Did you ladies start drinking early?” she teased when they broke apart and Mrs. Patrick came up to hug her and drop a kiss on her cheek. The older woman smelled of vanilla and maple which boded well for one of her fabulous waffle breakfasts. Emma’s mouth watered in anticipation.
“No drinkie for me, just happy,” Connie singsonged and laid her hand over her belly.
“Me, too,” Maggie said and at everyone’s questioning look, she waved her hands and clarified. “Not preggers, yet. Just really really happy.”
Emma joined the other women in helping set the table for breakfast in a routine that was as in step as a well-choreographed ballet after so many years. Of course, Mrs. Patrick was the choreographer, directing them on anything else that was needed for all of them to sit for breakfast while Maggie continued with her story.
“Not only do I have the most awesome new husband,” she had to pause here so the other women could sigh, “but business is good too. Sales at my family’s suburban stores are way up and the flagship store on Fifth Avenue is packed with families. The store restaurant doesn’t have any empty dining reservations until mid-January. It’s already paid off the costs of renovating and re-opening it,” Maggie gushed without barely taking a breath, excitement in every word.
“That’s such wonderful news, Mags,” Connie said and hugged her friend.
“That is great,” Emma and Tracy chimed in.
A tearful Maggie added, “I couldn’t have done it without you ladies. You’ve been my bedrock through everything.”
“We will always be here for you,” Connie said and embraced Maggie again, a tell-tale glint in Connie’s exotic green-gold eyes. Her hands were laden with the cutlery and napkins to help set the table.
“For each other,” Emma stressed and twined her arm through Tracy’s. Tension radiated from Tracy’s body and it made Emma feel so bad for her dear friend. She glanced up at Tracy who whispered, “I’m okay.”
Emma wouldn’t press, but clearly all was not right in Tracy’s world. It had been painfully obvious to all of them for the better part of a year that no matter how much she put a good face on it, Tracy’s marriage was on the rocks and nothing was making it better–not the marriage counseling or the romantic vacations and date nights. It was part of Emma’s worst fear—making what was supposed to be a lifetime commitment only to discover it was a colossal mistake. Just like what had happened with her parents.
But the little voice in her head countered with thoughts of Carlo, gorgeous amazing Carlo, and how well they worked together and the many ways he made her feel special and loved. It made her wonder why she thought it was impossible to trust—herself most of all. But she did have good reasons, she reminded herself. There was just too much at stake.
She tightened her hold on Tracy’s arm in a gesture meant to reassure before they broke apart to finishing prepping for breakfast. As they worked, they chatted about Connie and Jonathan’s surprise engagement just weeks earlier.
“Did you really propose to him?” Tracy asked, still disbelieving and Emma could understand. Connie had always been the most traditional of them not to mention the most career driven. That she had been the one to do the asking was totally unexpected and thoroughly romantic.
“I did propose to him and it was the hardest thing I ever did, besides quitting my job of course,” Connie said as she laid out the cutlery.
Emma followed her around the table, placing a plate at each setting. “I never pictured you as the Sea Kiss township attorney, but then again, we’ve all been involved in a lot of the local projects, so it seems logical.” Logical being the thing that lasting relationships were built on, not grand gestures and romance, Emma kept to herself.
Connie paused for a moment, considered the comment, and then nodded. “I never pictured it myself, but somehow it felt right. Especially with Jon so determined to move his corporate headquarters here to bring new blood into town. It’s not often you get to be a part of something bigger than life and I’m excited about that.”
Tracy set a tray with assorted fruit juices in the center of the table and asked, “Do you think all the house renovations you guys are doing will be done in time?”
With a shrug, Connie returned to her task and said, “I hope so. Jon’s hired most of the contractors in the area to work on the headquarters, my new office, and the house. The holidays will be nice for those people.”
“Lots of work for lots of people. That’s a good thing for Sea Kiss and folks sure do appreciate it,” Mrs. Patrick said and laid a plate piled high with waffles on the table. Maggie followed and added a dish with a mound of crispy bacon and pork roll and another smaller tray with syrups and a bowl of fresh berries.
“That’s what I hear all around town,” Emma said, hoping the locals would treat her friends kindly, but then again, the Pierce family was clam diggers also.
“That’s the one thing that worries me. The locals and their talk,” Connie admitted as she sat at the table. Connie being an outsider – a Benny—although she’d been coming to Sea Kiss for nearly the last decade and had worked on many projects to help the town through tough times.
“They don’t mean anything by it,” Mrs. Patrick said at the same time that Emma added with a shrug, “You get used to it.” Emma took a spot beside Connie and soon everyone was seated and helping themselves to the delicious meal Mrs. Patrick had prepared.
“Did you?” Maggie questioned with a pointed arch of her brow in Emma’s direction. That had Emma wondering if Maggie suspected that she and Carlo were still part of the gossip flitting around town.
“It’s just talk and usually nothing major,” Emma replied, trying to avoid where their discussion might go. Every one of her friends was squarely in the Carlo camp and let her regularly know that it was time she do something about him.
Maggie was about to follow-up with another question when Tracy said, “Well I have something major to tell you all. I’m divorcing Bill.”
Momentary surprise created an almost deafening silence in the room, but then the silence was broken by a peppering of questions and comments.
“When?” Connie said.
“Are you sure?” Maggie added.
“I’m so sorry, my girl,” Mrs. Patrick said and laid a reassuring hand over Tracy’s as it rested on the table.
“We’re here for you,” Emma said, not totally surprised by the announcement.
Tracy sucked in a deep breath before the words shot out of her like a volley of gun fire. “When? As soon as you can draw up the papers, Con. Sure, Mags? Never more sure. I’m sorry, too, Mrs. Patrick, but I made a big mistake and nothing I’ve done has helped change that.” With a pause to take another breath, she faced Emma and hugged her hard. “I know you’ll all be here for me. It’s what’s keeping me together.”
Connie and Maggie came over to join the embrace and held Tracy as her body vibrated with pain and tears. “You’ll be okay, Trace. Everything will be okay,” Emma said as she rubbed her friend’s back and then glanced up at Connie and Maggie.
Worry etched their faces, but also determination. Together they’d help Tracy through this and in time her wounds would heal.
That’s what friends did for each other, she thought, and ignored the little voice in her head that said her friends would be there for her as well if she took a chance with Carlo. She worried nothing could ever make things right if she dared to give in to her Carlo obsession and things didn’t work out.
Coward, the little voice in her head shouted, but Emma ignored it as she did so often when it came to Carlo. At least a coward got to live another day.
