“It’s kind of the same.” Todd tips his hat and walks toward the café.
Kris looks up, and for a moment, our eyes lock. My stupid hand automatically comes up, and I wave at him, but he doesn’t respond. He looks away, and I quickly walk in the opposite direction toward my home.
I am such an idiot.
Why did I wave?
Chapter Four
Kris
My heart stopped. There she was, Athena, in the distance, kissing the deputy who’s walking toward me. And she waved. Everything inside me felt like I’d been electrocuted at the sight of her. The thought of her being with someone else angers me, even though I have no right. After all, I did bring Sophia with me, although I should have left her at home.
I should have waved back.
Why didn’t I wave back?
“Okay, folks, move back. Let’s give Mr. Livingston some room.”
It’s the deputy who was kissing Athena. The crowd moves back a step, and he touches me on the arm, propelling me forward toward the café doors. Plastering a big ole smile on my face, I shake his hand.
“Thank you, deputy?”
He places a hand on his hip. “Todd, Todd Roth, and you’re welcome, Mr. Livingston.”
“Please, call me Kris.”
“Yes, thank you, deputy. Lord knows how we’d be able to make our way through this crowd,” says Sophia in her most sarcastic tone.
The smile on the deputy’s face falters for a moment. “You’re more than welcome, Miss Thorne. I hope you enjoy your stay in Boothbay and bless your heart.” He tips his hat at me, smiles, gives TB a wave, and moves off down the street.
Sophia flashes her best smile and walks into the café like she’s the most important thing on the planet. She stands just inside the door, looking around while she waits for someone to seat her.
Placing a hand on her waist, I lean in and whisper, “It’s not that kind of place. Just take a seat and try not to make a scene.”
“Do I ever?” Sophia replies sweetly.
Before I can answer, TB thrusts a paper cup full of hot coffee in my hand. “Hey, man, good to see you. Is that Missy Webster out there? Wow, in high school she hated you. Look at you now.”
TB slaps my stomach causing me to reflexively suck it in and spill my coffee.
“Hey, hey, hey! Be careful of the movie star,” I tease.
“Pfft. Some movie star, your last flick was shit.” TB turns and smiles at Sophia. “So good to see you again. Sit. What would you like to drink?”
“Oolong tea, please.”
“Ooh, what?”
“Oh, black tea will do.”
“TB, don’t tease Miss Thorne like that. You know we have oolong tea. I’ll go make it, you catch up,” says Shannon with a big smile.
Sophia nods and regally sits in the window so everyone can see her and take their pictures.
“Babe, wouldn’t you rather sit in the back?”
“No, Kris, I want to sit here in the sun and enjoy the view.”
I nod, smile, and turn my attention back to TB.
“It was not a shit flick, it was nominated for a Golden Globe. What’s the plan?”
“It was one of those artsy films. It sucked. And Kris, you weren’t supposed to be here until next week. You’re early.”
“I’ve got some downtime between projects. Thought I’d catch up with you, your mom and dad, and my father.”
“Athena?”
I squint at him and put my hand on my hip. “Yeah, and Athena.”
“Athena, she’s the high school sweetheart, right?” asks Sophia as she saunters over and possessively drapes an arm around me.
“Oh, they were way more than that,” replies TB dismissively as he sits at a table. “Inseparable is what they were. I swear my dad nearly made Kris marry her when he found them in her bedroom.”
“Well, it was a long time ago,” counters Sophia.
“Yeah, I guess. Athena’s moved on anyhow. She’s a New York Times best-selling author, and she’s won a stack of literary awards. Our girl made a life for herself.”
Our girl.
It’s how we used to talk about her when we were kids. It wasn’t until Athena turned fifteen that I took any notice of her. Up until then, she was just TB’s kid sister. I still remember the day everything changed. We were all at a bonfire, and Tommy Baker was walking Athena down to the beach. I was sitting opposite them, and as the night wore on, I started to see Athena in a different light. She stood, pulled her top off over her head, looked at me, smiled, burst out laughing, and ran for the water with Tommy on her heels.
I’ve never moved so fast. I pushed Tommy over, grabbed her by the waist, and we went swimming. Athena had me hook, line, and sinker after that night, and Tommy Baker never forgave me.
“How many books does she have out now?”
TB smiles. “Over twenty. Not that I’ve read them. Romance isn’t my thing.”
The waitress comes back with a pot of tea and a cup on a tray.
“Shannon, is it?” I ask her.
“Yes,” she squeaks out excitedly.
“Sorry to be a pain, but could we get that in a to-go cup?”
Her face falls, but she quickly recovers. “Of course. Coming right up!”
I raise my eyebrows at TB.
“She’s a fan. I think she thinks it’s funny that I know you, and you came from such a small town. I think Shannon thought you were hatched in LA.”
“It’s certainly where he began his life, so almost the same,” replies Sophia.
TB frowns at her. “So long as he doesn’t forget where he came from.” Sophia looks confused. “You know, so he stays grounded. No one likes a stuck-up snob who forgets about his friends and the place he grew up.”
Sophia smiles warmly at TB. “Kris would never do that. After all, we’re here, aren’t we?” Venom drips from each word. She reminds me of a snake, cold-blooded and ready to strike.
Shannon returns with a paper cup. “Here you go, Miss Thorne.”
Sophia takes the cup but doesn’t look Shannon in the eyes as she says, “Thank you.”
“TB, we’re going to check into the Sea Shore Motel. We’ll catch up later, yeah?”
“What? You’re not staying with your dad? If he doesn’t have room, I’m sure we could fit you in or Mom and Dad can.”
“No, no, no!” says Sophia quickly. “We don’t want to impose.” Sophia kisses my cheek. “I’ll meet you in the car, darling.”
I watch her retreating figure as she leaves. “I know she can be demanding, but underneath she’s got a heart of gold.”
“Oh yeah, I’m sure it’s gold-plated.”
I quirk an eyebrow and look at him sideways. “Plated?”
TB shrugs. “Anyway, get settled in. Come to Mom and Dad’s for dinner tonight.”
I nod and look back at Sophia. “Will Athena be there?”
“Who knows. Athena is pretty busy. Does six sound okay?”
I look at my watch. “Yeah, six is good.”
“Is that a Rolex?”
I chuckle. “Yeah, I got it as a gift from the studio for that artsy movie you didn’t like.”