Girls of Summer(69)

Theo didn’t want to mess that up for her.





twenty-five


Beth unlocked the door and entered the Ocean Matters office. She was all discombobulated today, torn between sweet thoughts of Theo and hurt feelings because since their walk in the rain last night, he hadn’t phoned or texted her. She could reach out to him, of course, but stubbornness stopped her. Call her old-fashioned, but she felt very deeply that he should call her. And there was the bonus misery of her father and Theo’s mother. Did Theo want to drop her because he didn’t want to get between his mother and Mack? Okay, he could at least man up and tell her that. And she wanted to move out of her house, but where could she go? It would be impossible to find a place to live on the island in the summer, even if she could afford a place the size of a closet.

She pulled out her chair and settled at her desk. She woke her computer. Concentrate, she told herself. The ocean is more important than your little problems.

   The Ocean Matters inbox was full of emails, which was something positive. OM was getting noticed, people were responding. She scanned the emails before going back and answering them, one by one. It took all her willpower to stop thinking about Theo, and she still was sniffing back tears.

“Good morning, Beth.”

Beth jumped in her chair.

“Oh, Ryder! I didn’t know you were back.”

“Sorry to startle you. I flew in just now and came right to the office. I should have texted you.” Ryder frowned. “Beth, you’re crying. Are you okay?”

Beth swiped at her face. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. Tell me what’s going on. I hope it’s not something about Ocean Matters that’s upset you.”

Ryder took hold of his desk chair and spun it over so that he was facing Beth. He sat there, with concern in his beautiful blue eyes.

“It’s not Ocean Matters,” Beth said, trying to smile.

“Can you tell me what it is?”

Beth dipped down to take a hanky out of her bag. “It’s family stuff. I got into an argument with my father, and I can’t live with him anymore.”

“Why not?”

“Oh, it’s so complicated and silly. I like this guy Theo, Theo Hawley. And he likes me. But my father is dating his mother. And my father’s been widowed for most of my life and he deserves a chance at happiness.”

“But why can’t you live at home?”

“Because as long as I’m there, Lisa, Theo’s mother, won’t be comfortable at my dad’s house. I mean, of course she can come over. I like her. We could talk and stuff. But later…and I think they might be serious and that’s good for both of them.” Beth looked up at Ryder. “I’m sorry. I’m babbling. None of this is your concern.”

   Ryder folded his arms over his chest and sat quiet for a moment. Then he said, “You know, my parents own a fairly sizable house on the island. I don’t stay there very often because I’m seldom here. Anyway, it’s got a caretaker’s apartment over the garage. Small, but completely furnished. You’re welcome to stay there.”

“Oh. Oh, well, I don’t know. I didn’t mean to dump my troubles on you.” Beth tried to smile.

“Look, this is completely no strings attached. I never go into that apartment. Mrs. Fletcher comes in twice a week to clean the big house, but she doesn’t do the garage. You’d have complete privacy.”

“This is so nice of you, but really, it’s not necessary—”

Ryder leaned forward, planting his elbows on his knees. “Beth, it is necessary. I want Ocean Matters to be a success, and that depends on you and your work. If you’re unhappy, you’re not going to be as focused on our mission. But it’s up to you. I’m just offering.”

“Well,” Beth said slowly, “it would solve a lot of problems for me. I’m sure I could concentrate on my work more. Not that I’m not working hard now—”

“Beth, it’s obvious you’re working hard,” Ryder said.

Beth nodded. “Thank you, Ryder. I’m grateful for this offer, and actually, I’d love to stay in your apartment for a while. Maybe for the summer, until I get things sorted out.”

Ryder rose, reached in his pocket, and pulled out a key attached to a miniature buoy. “Great. I like it when problems are solved. Now back to work.” He headed to the door. “I’ve got a meeting.”

“Aye, aye, commander,” Beth said. “And thanks.”

She focused on her computer, brought up the email, and ran her eyes down the new names in the inbox. One email caught her attention and she opened it.

Hi, Beth, hey, I’d love to meet with you and have a chat. Possible today? Tomorrow? XO Juliet

   In a flash, Beth typed: Sorry. No time.

Immediately, Juliet answered: This isn’t about my idiot brother. It’s about Ocean Matters.

Beth hesitated. She didn’t want Juliet, who was so infinitely superior tech-wise, to be more important to Ocean Matters than Beth.

Sorry, Beth emailed. Maybe tomorrow.

Oh! She wanted to scream! All the complications keeping her apart from Theo made Beth feel helpless and confused. She straightened her shoulders and told herself to pull up her big girl pants. There was one thing she could do. She left the office, locked the door, and hurried to her house.