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"Ready to go?" Nate asked.
I closed the door to Bitter Beans and waved goodbye to Granny. She waved back with her brightly manicured hand, but more in a "Shoo! Get out of here and have some fun!" sort of way.
The sun was starting to go down and the cold night air was blowing in. I tugged my sweater on as Nate held the sleeves where my arms could find them. We were off to a wild night at the Founders' Festival. And by wild, we had both sworn to try every fried item offered and work our way through the food trucks until we puked.
Nate was full of smiles, shaking hands with everyone in town as we walked down Main Street, completely being the host with the most. I couldn't help but make comparisons between him and Trevor. He had come to the island with everyone hating his uncle, but turned those feelings around. Now Trevor was trying to do the same thing. I wondered how much forgiveness this place had to offer.
As if my thoughts of Trevor summoned the question, Nate noted as we walked by, "Looks like the plywood is down at Jake's place and there's a light inside."
"Yeah..." I said, really not wanting to go into it all, but knowing that it was probably like a band-aid. The sooner I told Nate, the better off it would be. So I did. I told him all about Trevor and our conversation that afternoon. By the time I was done, Nate's eyes were as wide as saucers.
"Wait. So your ex's uncle is the same man who tried to kill you?"
"Yeah..." I said, wrinkling my nose.
"I mean, I've heard about bitter breakups, but using your family to put a hit on your ex..." he half-joked, trying to put a humorous spin on things. "Is his last name Corleone?"
"Ha ha," I said, giving Nate a shove. I heaved a big sigh. "Truth be told, he actually broke up with me."
"AH!" said Nate. "The one who got away! And now you're mine!" He wrapped his arms around my shoulders and gave me a great big kiss on the cheek.
I leaned against him and we walked in silence for a bit.
"Are you okay with him being in town?" asked Nate.
"Sure!" I said, realizing I actually very much was, especially with Nate's arm around me. "It's fine."
"Is he... well... is he at all like his uncle?"
"He's suave and really good at talking to people, but I don't think he's going to kill anyone anytime soon."
"Well, that's a relief," said Nate. He smiled at me. "Just so we're clear, I'm actually totally okay with you liking the guys you dated before me. I don't even mind if you still have some warm, mushy feelings for the good times."
I looked up into his soft brown eyes. Just when I thought I couldn't fall even harder for this guy, he had to go and say something awesome like that. It felt so good to know I could talk to him about anything and that I didn't have to be scared. "Thanks," I said.
"Jealousy is for jerks, and I am not a jerk." He cupped my chin with his pointer finger and thumb. "I love that you are with me because you want to be. And it makes me glad when people can be friends when things end. It means they were together because they genuinely liked each other, and left without having to destroy one another."
I lifted my heels so I was on my tiptoes and gave him a gentle kiss. "You're a good man, Mr. Edward."
"Besides, if he decides to run for city council here on this island, it means I don't have to. And then you and I can go take that trip to Paris you've been dreaming about!"
I gave him a great, wide grin as I nuzzled into his neck. "I like this plan of yours."
A husky voice interrupted us. "Excuse me, are you Nate Edward?"
We both turned. Standing there was a woman who looked like a supermodel. She was probably six feet tall in her stiletto heels. Her smooth, blonde, highlighted hair was pulled back into a ponytail. Over her shoulder was a purse I'm pretty sure cost more than my entire college tuition. She held out a perfectly manicured hand, her long, scarlet nails shaped and even. "I'm Madison Jones."
The way she said it made it sound like the name should mean something to us.
Nate looked at me in confusion and then reached out to take her hand. "Have we met before?"
She gave him a simpering smile, the kind of smile you give someone who is showing off pictures of their children when you hate kids. "How silly of me! Of course you don't know who I am. I was the point of contact person for your uncle on the development project. Of the old cannery area? For the cruise port? I am so sorry for your loss."
I could suddenly understand why loveless old Byron was willing to sell out all his neighbors if this was the woman showing up on his doorstep asking for favors.
"It's been a very sad time for the entire island," said Nate diplomatically.
Madison reached into her purse and pulled out a great big envelope. "I hate to have to burden you with all of this in the midst of this tragedy. I'm sure you have so much to do, but you haven't returned any of our calls or emails or letters. Your uncle never signed the final documents, and I heard that you were his sole inheritor. So, if you just want to sign it, I'll get out of your hair."
"Ah..." said Nate, looking from her to me to her again. "I'm afraid I am still getting a handle on all his affairs and am not quite able to sign anything at this time. Especially not before I have a lawyer look at it."
Madison stuck out her red lacquered lip in a pout. "Oh no! I came all this way..."
"How about I just take those documents from you and I'll give them a look and get back to you?" he offered, reaching out for the envelope. "Things are just very complicated—"
"There's been a lot of chaos," I added. Madison was starting to purse her lips. The last thing we needed was her calling a lawyer. I tried to lighten the situation with some laughs. "I mean, there's even a woman named Georgia who thought Byron had amended his will to include her. There is SO much to sort through and it's really important Nate does it right without rushing into things."
"Paige is right. We're... I mean... I am just trying to get everything in order before I make any major decisions," continued Nate.
Madison reached out and rested her hand on his arm. "It really is so complicated. I completely understand. Perhaps we could meet for tomorrow over coffee and I could go over everything with you."
"That would be great," said Nate.
"There's a café and then the cutest little coffee shop called Bitter Beans—" The way she said the name of Granny's shop made it sound like it was the most hipster adorable name she had ever heard.
"Oh! That's where I work," I offered.
She glanced at me from head to toe. "There's also a place down the street owned by a lady named Yvette. How about we meet at her café at 11 AM?"
"I really don't think—" Nate began.
She continued on as if she hadn't heard his protest. "This is a huge project and a lot is at stake. Promises were made and I just want to make sure you don't make a decision that might put you in legal jeopardy. Just meet with me and we can talk through what was signed and what wasn't and how we can all best proceed. 11 AM at the café. Ciao!" She waved over her shoulder as she started to walk away. Then she stopped herself and turned back. "There was a woman named Georgia who said there was a second will?"
"She was just joking around," I answered, not sure if I had just said something that was going to get Nate into big trouble. "She does that. She jokes around."
"How funny," said Madison, cocking her head and her hip. "And where does she work? At the Bitter Beans with you?"
"No, at the ferry terminal," I blurted out before realizing I needed to shut my mouth before I said anything else.
Madison smiled. "She sounds like a real hoot," she said. "I'll have to stop by and say hello. Ciao!" And this time, she really did turn and leave.
Nate and I stood there watching as she disappeared, both feeling like we had been hit by a steamroller.
"I don't like that woman," I said.
"I don't like her at all," said Nate.