After a few more unsuccessful searches, I set my phone down and watched TV, hoping to find something I could concentrate on long enough until it was time to meet Ash, but I couldn’t focus, I was too wired, so I gave up and headed to the tiny white bathroom, cursing as I unpacked my toiletries and discovered I’d left my toothpaste at home.
“Hi, Fiona, it’s Lily in room twelve,” I said when I dialed reception. “I forgot my toothpaste. Do you have some?”
“Of course, I’ll be right over.”
“No, don’t worry. I’ll stop by now.”
I hung up and walked back to the front entrance, grateful for the distraction my forgotten toothpaste was offering. Fiona stood talking on the phone, and as I waited, my eyes were drawn back to the photographs on the wall. I couldn’t help it. There was something so majestic and foreboding about the way the rugged cliffs plunged deep into the ocean below.
“Impressive, aren’t they?” Fiona said as she put the phone down and set two miniature tubes of toothpaste on the counter. “Dangerous, too.”
“Are they the Newdale Bluffs?”
“Yes. If you go for a walk along them, make sure you have proper footwear, and stick to the marked paths. Even the locals have been known to get into trouble.” A shadow crossed her face, but it quickly disappeared, replaced with a smile. “Need anything else? How’s the room?”
“It’s perfect, the bed’s super comfortable.”
“Fabulous, glad to hear it. We replaced them last fall and the guests seem to approve.”
She looked like she was about to wish me a pleasant evening, but I couldn’t stand being alone in my room again. “Have you worked here long?”
“You could say that,” she said with a grin. “Born and raised in town, and this place belongs to my aunt, but I run it now. My brother helps out a bit, too. Where are you from?”
“Buffalo, originally.”
“Do you have family here or are you just visiting?”
Her question made my face crumble. I thought I’d done well, almost congratulated myself on how I’d held it together since I’d arrived in town, but the mere kindness in her voice made my eyes well up. Before I could stop them, hot tears spilled over my face.
“Oh, no,” she said, rushing from the counter and putting an arm around me. “Oh, crap.”
“I’m s-sorry...”
“No, I am, poking my nose into your business. Come with me, let’s get you a drink.” She guided me into a dining area, with pastel beach paintings on the dark blue walls, whitewashed tables and sky blue chairs. There were a few other guests at the far end of the room, and Fiona got us settled at the table farthest away.
“What can I get you?” she said. “On the house.”
“A water, please.”
“Are you sure?” When I said yes, she hurried off to get my drink. Upon her return, she waited until I’d taken a few large gulps before saying, “I feel terrible for upsetting you.”
“It’s not your fault. It’s been a weird day and...I just found out my boyfriend lives in town and has amnesia.”
“Wow, wait. You’re not Ash’s girlfriend, are you?” she gasped, eyebrows shooting up, and mine did the same.
“You know him?”
“Oh, we go way back,” she said. “But why are you staying at the motel? No, wait, that’s none of my business, either, so don’t—”
“He can’t remember me.” My lips wobbled and I pressed them together.
“I’m so sorry, that’s awful.” She reached forward and patted my hand. “I can’t imagine how you’re feeling. The first time I ran into Ash after he got back, he kept insisting his name was Brad. He was so confused.”
“Did he recognize you?”
“Not even slightly. Not Maya, either, when she arrived.” She shook her head. “I was surprised to see him at all, to be honest. I mean, he’d been gone two years, and nobody had heard a peep. I don’t blame him for leaving, considering what happened.”
I didn’t dare reply as she leaned in, lowering her voice to a whisper.
“For the record, I never believed any of the rumors. I know some people were glad Ash left, including my brother. I’m sure Ash told you all about him, but in his defense, Keenan really was a mess when Celine left, and when Kate had the accident...” She shook her head as my mouth dropped open, and before I could ask her who all these people were and what she meant, she added, “I don’t blame Ash for wanting to get away. No wonder you two never visited—”
A bell rang at the front desk. “Shoot, that’s my cue.” She pushed her chair back and stood up. “Feeling better?”
“Yes...yes, thank you,” I lied, wishing I had the courage to ask her to sit down and explain everything she’d said, but I couldn’t get my brain or my mouth to work properly.
“Great. Come and chat anytime, and don’t forget to stop in for breakfast in the morning. Our bacon’s divine. You’ll never want to leave.” She took a step before turning back. “Tell Ash I said hello when you see
