Summer on Lovers' Island (Jewell Cove 3)

“Then don’t leave.”

“And do what?” She pushed her plate aside, feeling slightly ill. “You have your job. The clinic doesn’t need another doctor. Besides, I’m an ER doctor. This is fine for now, but honestly? Luke Pratt’s case had me so fired up that I know where I belong. It’s in an emergency room, Charlie. Not a family clinic in a small town.”

“But if you were in love…”

Lizzie shook her head. “And then what? Be resentful because I’m unhappy in every other way? How well do you think a relationship could withstand that? Besides, I’m not in love with Josh. And he’s not in love with me.”

“So the other alternative then is an affair. A hot, steamy, summertime love affair with an end date.”

It really was the only alternative, other than calling it quits altogether. And they’d already tried that and failed miserably. She supposed it had something to do with not really wanting to stay away from each other.…

“I need to lay out some ground rules, don’t I?” Lizzie said glumly. Why couldn’t sex or relationships or whatever this was be simple? Instead it had to be labeled as something and boundaries established and all sorts of other inconvenient categorizations.

“Probably,” Charlie answered. “And Liz, there’s still a good chance you could get hurt. I mean it, Josh is a really good guy. There aren’t a lot of those around.”

There were things Charlie didn’t know, of course. And Josh had his demons. He wasn’t perfect … but Lizzie kind of liked him better now that she knew he had a few flaws.

“I’m more worried that I’ll be the one doing the hurting,” Lizzie admitted. “I should probably sleep on it a while, huh?”

Charlie smiled. “Sweetie, overthinking is not your style. You jump in with both feet and you’re passionate about it. You see what you want and you go for it. I’ve always admired that. Just be careful. I’m afraid one of these days that way of thinking is going to catch up with you and you’re not going to be ready for it.”

Lizzie thought back to the couple leaving the hospital without their baby. She thought about her mom, and her dad, and all the crap that had hit her in the past year.

It was time her life started on the upswing, and maybe her move to Jewell Cove had kick-started the process. It had certainly given her some perspective.

“Know what?” She sat up straighter and rolled her shoulders as an idea struck. “I think I hit that point the weekend I showed up in Jewell Cove and turned thirty. I need to let go of what’s been holding me back.”

“What do you mean?”

Now that the idea had popped into her head, it made perfect sense. She’d spent so much time holding on to what had been and burying herself in work so she wouldn’t have to face letting go. That was where all her trouble had begun.

“Charlie, I need to put my parents’ house on the market. It’s not doing any good sitting there vacant, the way my dad left it. It’s time I faced it and stopped wishing things were back the way they were. Life is different and it’ll never be the same again. I need to let go. And yeah, maybe that’s partially metaphorical, but it’s true.”

“Lizzie. Are you sure you’re not just reacting to the situation and jumping from one thing into another? Maybe shifting your focus to the house is your way of avoiding dealing with Josh.”

Her assessment stung a bit, but that was why Lizzie had come to Charlie. Charlie loved her and didn’t try to sugarcoat her words. “Charlie, I’m positive.” The more she spoke, the more she was certain. “I’ve been holding on too tight. If I want to move on, I need to make some decisions. I don’t want to live in the house, Charlie. It should be with a family who can enjoy it. Make new memories.”

Charlie reached over and patted her hand. “As long as you’re sure.”

“I’ll ask Josh if I can have a few days. Meet a Realtor. Arrange to put stuff in storage.”

“If you’re determined, I can go help if you’d like.”

Gratitude swept through Lizzie. “Really? It wouldn’t be too much for you?”

Charlie laughed. “Listen, I’m glad I was able to take some time off work before the baby comes. But the nursery is ready, Dave is working, and I’m actually bored now and again. A few days with my best friend? Tell me, when am I going to get the opportunity for that after the baby’s born? We’ll drive down in your fancy car, pack up some stuff, list the house, go out to eat. A girls’ weekend.”

It occurred to Lizzie that her friendship with Charlie was the one relationship she trusted completely. What would she do without her best friend? They’d always been there for each other.

“We haven’t had a real girls’ weekend in months,” Lizzie agreed. “I’d love to have you come. I don’t even care if you do anything.”

“Well, you won’t have to face it alone. I guess that’s something.”

A new energy filled Lizzie. “It’s more than something. Charlie, I know you had to drag me here for my birthday, but I’m glad you did. I did need the break. And this thing with Josh … a few days apart and some clear thinking will help. We both know it can’t be a real thing. Maybe a summer fling is just what we both need to move on to the next stage in our lives.”

“Sure, maybe,” Charlie replied. Lizzie didn’t think she sounded convinced, but it didn’t matter. What mattered was feeling somewhat in char

ge of her life again. Making decisions. Moving forward.