Page 73 of Keeping it Local

The familiarity between Beth and the man she was talking to was obvious. They looked like they belonged together. It didn’t matter how she made me feel. I couldn’t risk being trampled on again. I wasn’t risking it. Besides, I was working on something I had pushed so hard for. I didn’t need a distraction.

“And so, folks, enjoy dinner. Johnny here will be up shortly to start the auction. Enjoy your night!”

Greg stepped off stage, and I followed him, numb to the event at this point. I followed his lead.

“You okay?” he asked, eying me. “You look pale. Hopefully you’re not getting sick too.”

“Nah, I’m fine.” I shook my head.

He continued on, talking about what to expect and when to go up to actually start the auction. I nodded, but my brain wasn’t in the conversation. It was behind the balloon arch where I saw the mystery man lean into Beth, wrapping his arms around her, then her returning the gesture.

They stood like that for a moment, just holding each other.

He rubbed her back, her head leaning against him, and he brushed her hair back from her face, then lightly kissed the top of her head.

My throat thickened, and my ears burned and the heat radiated down to my neck and chest. I took slow breaths, watching them. I’d never had a panic attack, but I was pretty sure that’s what was happening.

I heard a murmur in the background that I knew was Greg, but my mind was across the tent. I felt out of my body, and it kicked me right back into how I felt when Anne left. Leaving me for another man—one that fit better into her life, someone more successful, someone that wasn’t me. Even though I knew things between Beth and I were only supposed to be temporary, I couldn’t help the pain that shot through me.

I swallowed, forcing myself to calm, telling myself that she didn’t need me, that I didn’t need her.

It wasn’t worth it.

She wasn’t worth it.

Even though everything in me felt like running to her.

She pulled back from him and looked directly into my eyes.

Hers widened, and I couldn’t tell what she was thinking, but there was an ever-so-slight wince.

Our eyes locked for a few seconds. Disappointment clouded me, and I took a deep breath, trying to forget being in love with this woman, trying to forget what I wanted and instead focus on what I needed.

The rest of Starlight Night went on as planned. After dinner, I jumped back up onstage and unenthusiastically read the scripts Beth and I had put together. Greg was front and center at one of the round tables with the big donors, and by the end of the night, we brought in a record amount of donations for the town. It should have been the best night, but I couldn’t let myself feel the emotions after watching Beth in the back. I needed to tamp them down.

Greg came up to me after with a wide grin on his face, shaking my hand with his hearty mayor handshake, thanking me for filling in.

The entire night only lasted a few hours, but after what I saw with Beth and the man I assumed was Michael, I didn’t notice the time passing. I felt numb.

During dinner, Beth must have wandered back in and taken a seat in the back. The man was nowhere I could see. During the auction, I saw she had pulled up a chair next to Mary, and they spent most of the time silently sitting next to each other, listening to the auction around them, occasionally whispering back and forth.

Once the crowd died down, I helped the guys clean up a bit, and after saying goodbyes, I took off to sit on one of the benches by the marina. I needed to give myself space. The air was thick with the summer humidity, and the smell of the lake wafted around me.

“Hey! I’ve been looking for you.” Beth trudged up the small hill. It was dark, but I’d know her voice anywhere, and I could make out the outline of her flowing dress.

“Hey,” I said, not looking up at her.

“You did such a great job up there.” I felt the smile in her voice. “Greg said it’s the highest earning auction we’ve had. That’s amazing. I already texted Megan. I know she’s bummed she couldn’t be here, but I know she’ll be thrilled with how it went. I already texted⁠—”

“Who was that?” I asked, unable to keep the clip from my voice. My skin was still clammy, and my stomach still turned, unable to close the door on the past.

“Who was who?”

“It was Michael, right?” I asked.

“Outside the tent? Yeah, that was Michael.” She stood there, waiting for me to respond with a blank look on her face.

“Figured as much.” I scuffed my foot into the dirt before turning to her. “He come back to declare his undying love for you?” I half laughed, trying to hide the fear that radiated out of me.