Chapter 28

Willis looked around at the festivities of the Summer Smash and smiled quietly to himself. He'd remembered the way this event felt—so energizing and exciting.

There's a kind of nautical atmosphere, he thought, pleased. This event celebrates our connection to the ocean better than any other Blueberry Bay festival.

He glanced over to the beach, where people were cheering for water sports. Around him, children were running and laughing, and he could smell delicious, savory smells coming from the potluck tents.

He glanced down at his watch again, his stomach twisting with nervousness. He was waiting for Marsha to arrive with their costumes. The day before had been a little awkward, and they had hardly spoken while helping set up the event. He didn't know how everything would be between them that day, but he hoped that they would both have a good time participating in the festival.

"Willis!"

He turned and saw her approaching him, and his heart leapt up. She looked absolutely beautiful, with her dark hair falling around her shoulders. She was carrying two garment bags, and he hurried forward to take them from her.

"Thank you," she said softly, and he saw a look of longing in her eyes that made his heart hurt. He didn't know what to say to her, since she was the one who had said she didn't want them to try again.

They walked across the park to a clothing store that had offered its fitting rooms as places where the costume contest participants could get changed. They walked quickly, since they knew the judging would be commencing in a few minutes.

Willis changed hurriedly. Even though he'd never tried on the costume before, it seemed to fit him like a glove. Marsha was clearly an excellent seamstress. He looked at his reflection in the mirror and was impressed by how aesthetically pleasing the costume was.

He stepped out of the changing room just as Marsha was stepping out of the one next to his. He inhaled as soon as he saw her. He wanted to tell her how breathtaking she looked, but he swallowed the words. Since they had decided not to be in a relationship together, he didn't want to make her uncomfortable.

She smiled at him shyly and reached up to adjust his collar. He looked down at her face, swallowing, and her eyes met his. For a moment, they gazed at each other, and then all of their held-back emotions seemed to break open. Their eyes were locked, and Willis could feel his passion building as he gazed down at her face. Unable to hold back, he stroked her cheek.

"I love you, Marsha," he whispered. "Please give me another chance to court you."

Her eyes brimmed with tears. She smiled at him, shakily, and her lips parted. She was clearly just about to speak, but at that moment the owner of the clothing store hurried into the changing rooms hallway.

"They're looking for you two!" she said. "They're hoping to start the costume judging in just five minutes, they said."

"We'd better get over there," Marsha said breathlessly, and Willis nodded, although his heart was hammering as he wondered what she had been about to say.

They hurried back across the park to the stage where the costume contest judging was being held. They lined up with the other contestants on the right side of the platform, and watched as each pair was called onto the stage one at a time to model their costumes and explain the story of Blueberry Bay history that they had based their outfits on.

Willis could hear the crowd murmuring as many of the contestants who had won in years past presented their costumes. He could sense that people were reminiscing, and enjoying the new creativity that the contestants were showing. He kept glancing at Marsha, happy to see how eager she looked. She watched all the participants present their costumes with an affectionate warmth in her eyes.

He laughed with everyone else as Pearl pretended to be a dog perfectly, even barking a little while Caitlin and Michael told the story behind their costumes.

"Everyone looks amazing," Marsha whispered to him. "I wonder who's going to win this year?"

"Maybe us," he whispered back with a twinkle in his eyes. "We look amazing too."

They were the last contestants to be called to the stage. They explained their story together, with Willis describing most of the history, and Marsha explaining how they'd incorporated it into their costumes. When they were finished, they received an enthusiastic round of applause, and left the stage to stand with the other contestants.

People were whispering excitedly while everyone waited for the judges to make a decision. There was an ice cream stand placed near the stage, and Willis bought himself and Marsha two bowls of ice cream to eat while they waited. He almost bought cones, but she reminded him it was important to not have any ice cream drip onto their costumes.

He kept glancing at her shyly as they ate their ice cream. He was enjoying the contest, but he wanted to have another moment alone with her so he could hear what her answer to his question was. Based on the look in her eyes, he thought it might be a "yes."

"We have a verdict," one of the judges said into the microphone. "Contestants, please return to the stage."

They threw their empty ice cream bowls away and hurried back onto the stage. Willis almost took her hand but then stopped himself.

The judges were all smiling, and the one at the microphone was grinning from ear to ear.

"For first prize, our winners are Willis Jenkins and Marsha Dunlap."

The crowd erupted into cheers. Willis and Marsha stepped forward, both a little shocked but smiling, and received a small gold-painted trophy.

"And for second place, our winners are Caitlin Lewis, Pearl Lewis, and Michael O'Neil."

Marsha and Willis clapped and cheered loudly as their friends received their prizes. When all of the awards had been given, they were all photographed for a few minutes. Finally, the competition was officially over, and Marsha and Willis wandered away from the stage together, holding onto their prize.

"First place again!" He laughed. "You really have the magic touch, Marsha."

"We made them together," she said, smiling up at him.

He swallowed, all of his emotions swirling around in his chest. He knew it was time to bring up what he had been saying to her before.

"I've loved this time spent with you," he told her. "I've loved reconnecting with you. The thought of losing you again after all this breaks my heart."

She shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes. "We don't need to lose each other, Willis. I've thought about it, and—well, I do want to try again."

He reached out and took both her hands, feeling his heart pounding.

"Our costumes portrayed the power of rebuilding despite the destruction of the past," she continued, her voice soft. "And I think that we can give that a try in our own relationship."

"Of course we can," he said. He squeezed her hands, feeling as though the earth was spinning under his feet. His heart swelled with love for her, and he reached down and kissed her tenderly.