Chapter SIX

As Jill came back downstairs and ushered Jessica and Bradford back up, Ariel took a deep breath to collect herself—and the door opened once more to reveal the remaining newly arrived guests. Carl and Connie were Bradford"s parents.

Ariel had never met Carl and Connie before, but there was an air of familiarity about them that tugged at her heartstrings. They had the same striking blue eyes as Bradford, filled with a spark of mischief and adventure. Connie"s eyes crinkled at the corners when she smiled, but there was a hint of sadness lurking within them. Carl, on the other hand, had a strong jawline and a furrowed brow that spoke of a man who had weathered many storms in his life.

As they approached the check-in counter, Ariel couldn"t help but notice the subtle tension between them. Their shoulders were slightly hunched, and their gazes rarely met. It was as if an invisible barrier stood between them, separating their worlds.

"Hello," Ariel greeted warmly, trying to ignore the now-familiar tumult forming in her stomach. "Welcome to Cliffside BB. I"m Ariel."

Connie"s lips curved into a polite smile as she extended her hand for a handshake. "Nice to meet you, Ariel. We"re looking forward to our stay here."

Carl nodded curtly and kept his gaze fixed on the floor, avoiding any direct eye contact. His silence hung heavily in the air, adding to the already palpable tension in the room.

Ariel noticed a flicker of recognition in Connie"s eyes as she studied her face intently for a moment before quickly turning away. It was a fleeting glance, but it spoke volumes—a hint of a shared history that lurked beneath the surface.

Does she know who I am—who I was?

As she checked them in and handed over their room keys, Ariel couldn"t help but wonder what might have caused this distance between them. Yet Ariel"s thoughts kept spiraling back to Bradford. His sudden reappearance brought up so many conflicting emotions. Part of her was still that moonstruck college girl who had fallen for his artistic spirit and tender heart. The months they"d spent driving up the coast in his old van, talking philosophy and stargazing, had shaped her in ways she was still unraveling.

But that young passion had twisted into something darker. The day Bradford left for good was seared into her memory—the lack of explanation on his part, the hurtful words she'd thrown like weapons, her angry tears as she watched his van disappear down the highway. They had never found closure.

Ariel leaned against the wall, pressing her palms to her eyes. She still loved the Bradford of her memories, but did she know this Bradford now? And why had he never reconnected to explain himself or told her about his engagement? He just showed up here, like this? The questions tumbled through her mind, unanswered.

Ariel was jolted from her thoughts as the front door swung open, letting in a swirl of snowflakes and a gust of icy wind.

"Brrr, it"s getting nasty out there!" Miles stomped the snow from his boots and shrugged off his heavy wool coat. "I closed up the shop early since this storm is coming on faster than they predicted." He hung his coat and brandished his phone. "I made sure to call Katie, and she said that school is closing early, too. Her friend Samantha's dad has a four-wheel-drive SUV and is going to bring a few kids from this side of Endless Harbor home."

Ariel forced a smile, though her eyes were clouded with uncertainty. "Thank you. And I"m glad you"re back. I have some...news."

Miles paused in hanging up his coat, his forehead creasing with concern as he took in Ariel"s tense expression.

"What is it? Is everything okay?" He crossed the room in a few long strides and put his hands gently on her shoulders. His touch was comforting and familiar.

Ariel took a deep breath. "Do you remember me telling you about Bradford, my ex from college?"

Miles nodded, his jaw tightening almost imperceptibly.

"Well..." Ariel twisted her fingers together. "He"s here. At the inn. He"s the groom for the wedding party this weekend."

She watched Miles carefully, gauging his reaction. But he simply squeezed her shoulders reassuringly.

"Well, that's one way for an ex to turn up. Cliffside sure attracts the most interesting situations." He took her hands in his. "Honey, you have nothing to worry about," he said reassuringly. "The past is the past. I trust you completely. And he's a fool for leaving you. The best kind of fool—maybe I should thank him." Miles grinned.

Ariel felt a rush of gratitude and love for this kind, steadfast man. She pulled him into a tight embrace, feeling the last remnants of tension leave her body. Together, they could weather any storm - literal or metaphorical.

Ariel pulled back from the embrace. "Thank you," she said softly. "I don"t know what I"d do without you."

Miles gave her his trademark crooked grin. "Probably get into all sorts of trouble."

Ariel laughed, smacking his shoulder playfully. The laughter felt good, loosening the knot in her chest.

"So what"s the plan for this evening after hostess duties?" Miles asked. "Movie night? I can make some popcorn. We can use the back parlor so we don't disturb the guests."

"That sounds perfect," Ariel agreed. She picked at a bit of lint on Miles's sweater. "You're not mad?" She sniffled.

"What matters is how you feel." His voice was steady. "This weekend may be tough, but we"ll handle it together. After all, you can hold your head high—this guy hasn"t yet got a look at your trophy husband." Miles struck a pose, bicep flexed.

Ariel laughed and let out a shaky breath, allowing herself to melt back into Miles" strong embrace. She still felt unsettled, but knowing Miles had her back gave her strength. Bradford"s return didn"t have to derail her as long as she kept looking ahead.

Miles pointed behind her, where Ariel now heard noise in the dining room. "Sounds like the guests are gathering. Ok if I go shower?"

Ariel nodded and took a deep breath to steady herself as she made her way to the dining room, bracing for the encounter. She paused outside the dining room, watching through the doorway as Darcy and Jill laid out hot tea and refreshments.

Bradford looked much the same, his dark hair artfully tousled, wearing an expertly ripped band t-shirt under a fitted blazer. He was nodding politely as Darcy described the inn"s amenities and arranges pastries, though his gaze kept darting around the room distractedly.

Ariel"s heart constricted. Once upon a time, she had loved this man with her whole being. They had shared hopes, dreams, late nights composing music together. But Bradford"s ambition had eclipsed everything else, leaving her behind. An opportunity in LA—that was all he'd said.

As if sensing her presence, Bradford"s eyes suddenly met hers across the room. Ariel quickly lowered her gaze, busying herself with straightening a display on the sideboard. She could feel Bradford watching her, but refused to look up. The past was done, she reminded herself. Her focus now was on the future, on her family and her home. On what truly mattered most.

Why was he here now, today of all days? And engaged to be married? It made no sense. Bradford had always been a lone wolf, devoted only to his music. He wasn"t the marrying kind.

A sinking feeling settled in Ariel"s stomach. She knew Bradford well enough to recognize that smug smile, the glint in his eye when he introduced his fiancée. He was up to something. This wedding reeked of one of his games, another manipulation. The kind of behavior that someone was supposed to grow up and out of.

Bradford"s presence didn"t have to ruin anything as long as she kept him at a distance. She would be gracious but cool, strictly professional. She just had to get through the next few days. Her past was not going to haunt her here.

With that thought bolstering her, Ariel took a deep breath and entered the room with a bright smile. "Welcome everyone! We"re so pleased you could join us..."