4. Meg: Is There a Real Prince Charming?

Chapter four

Meg – Is There a Real Prince Charming?

Nothing in the world can beat the view of Seaside Cove. I'll never forget the day our grandpa gifted us our quaint little seaside cottage. Mia and I were trying to find the perfect place for just the two of us and this little treasure was tucked away in plain sight.

The white cottage with a porch swing is still in need of some repairs, a coat of paint or two, but that's okay. It gives the place character. It shows that it's been well-loved by the two of us and will continue to be loved for years to come. Not everyone can say they live in their dream house, so I consider myself lucky enough to say so.

The quaint little cottage is neatly tucked away beside the shore, just out of view of the inn. Right now, the sky is painted with strokes of burning reds and vibrant oranges as the sun begins to set while Lizaardo is sunbathing on the porch with Tigger and Pooh watching from inside.

Soon the cool purples and blues will come, extinguishing the flames of the sunset to a dull gray, just before fading to a midnight sky. It's the most perfect way to end the day.

As I gaze up at the sky above me, I admit there's been a part of me that wishes I could be sharing it with someone, like I see the couples on the beach do nearly every day.

The blue woven hammock slowly sways under my weight as it gently lulls me. I can feel my body begin to relax, one part at a time. My jaw unclenches, my shoulders drop, my eyelids feel heavy, and soon enough, I feel like I could float away with the clouds that are just out of reach.

I reach my left arm out to my side, but in the silence of the sunset, I'm alone. There's no one to softly play with my hair as I nestle into his chest, while we listen to the tired waves lazily crash on the empty shore.

Sometimes when moments like this really pull on my heartstrings, I imagine that a love interest from a book I'm reading is there with me, and I feel a little less alone.

More often than not, I can't help but admire and envy the smiling couples I see walking along the beach while I'm walking dogs. It's been so long since I've had someone to care for me besides Mia, and of course Grandpa.

I play little scenarios in my head about people when I'm watching them from afar. Couples especially. I think of where they came from, what brought them to Seaside, and what their love story is. I think most people would admire happy-looking couples because they make it look like love is easy. I know it's not.

That's why I tend to admire the more passionate couples that don't have a problem speaking their minds to each other in public. The kind of arguments and little tiffs that are usually only talked about behind closed doors.

I don't know why but there's something refreshing about seeing it in the open. It's messy but it's real. You can't hide your feelings when you're arguing out in the open. But I rarely see that vulnerability.

Couples like that don't play pretend when things get hard. At least in my head, they deal with the things that other people could easily ignore and let fester until those problems destroy the relationship altogether. I want someone I can run to for anything, but who I can also speak my mind to without worrying about a hurtful reaction.

I don't want a love that's easy. I want one that's real.

"Care for some company?" I hear Mia's voice drawing closer. She holds a cup of tea and a book in her hands as she walks over and leans back against one of the trees holding the hammock.

"Always," I smile.

"What's got you smiling?" she asks.

"What do you mean?"

"When I walked up, your eyes were closed and you were smiling. What were you thinking of?"

"Prince Charming riding down the beach on a white horse," I say, watching as she opens her book.

"I don't think we have many guys like that in Florida," she chuckles.

"Do you ever think about it? Finding love?" I ask. "I would think so. You're always reading about it." I point to her romance novel.

"Sometimes," she admits. "But then I think about how it is in real life. It's too complicated for me."

"You mean it's not rational enough for you," I point out. "Unless there's a defined way of doing something, it's not for you. Love is a crapshoot, and emotions aren't logical."

"Not fair!" She starts to object, but once I give her the side-eye, suddenly she's quiet.

"I get it," I say, knowing we've both had our own fair share of heartbreaks. "But knowing what you know now, wouldn't you want a relationship again?"

"I think I do sometimes but really, I'm happy with how things are. What about you?"

"I wouldn't mind some romance in my life," I reply. "Honestly, I want what I see our guests having."

"Which is?"

"Romantic getaways to a quaint little seaside town where no one knows who they are. Long walks on the beach, kisses at sunset, and long deep conversations that start in the evening and go into the early morning."

She scoffs. "Yeah, just let me grab my magic wand and I'll get right on that. Oh wait, I forgot it's in the shop for the foreseeable future."

"You asked! Don't make fun of me." I reach up to pull a leaf from the tree and throw it at her.

"With love. I tease you with love," she laughs. "There's nothing wrong with wanting a relationship like that."

"But?" I side-eye her again, knowing there are strings attached.

"But I don't think you should get your hopes up too quickly even if a charming man comes into your life. That's all."

I'm about to object again, but I realize she's been the one to dry the tears after the worst breakups I've gone through. I know because I've done the same for her.

I can only appreciate how even after we've grown up, she's still looking out for her little sister. "Duly noted," I nod.

From the corner of my eye, I watch Mia as she dives back into the idealized world of her romance novel. It's one of many that crowd her bookshelves.

My theory is that the entertainment we're attracted to says a lot about what we feel is lacking in our lives. Mia has read more romance novels than I can count, and certainly more than I have. We're both drawn to the strong male love interest who wants to protect and cherish the female main character.

And happily-ever-after moments are a necessity.

Sometimes her tastes are a little weirder, though. I like to tease her when she reads fantasy romances with magic, flying monsters, and wild adventures. They're such a contrast with the rational-minded big sister I know and love.

I tend to lean toward more realistic contemporary romance. Maybe that's where my hopeless romantic side comes from. What's interesting is that contemporary stories aren't really that far off from relationships that can happen in real life.

Maybe that's why I read them the most. They portray love stories that are epic and intense and relatable but are also possible.

Maybe possible for me?