“Which is why you’re a terrible Aussie,” Jess teased.
“It’s true,” Chloe said. “But at least I didn’t move away and never return.”
Jess clamped her mouth shut.
Chloe didn’t look bothered by her remark, and the conversation ceased at that moment. This was the unapologetic woman who Jess rarely spoke of.
“Well, at least everyone is here now,” I said.
“Here, here,” Chloe said, lifting her glass of water.
Jess guzzled her beer and placed it on the table. Chloe looked at Jess funny but didn’t say anything else.
Gina happily munched on the remainder of her meal, completely oblivious to what had just happened.
Jess stood up and collected her plate and mine before heading inside.
Chloe looked over her shoulder but turned back to the table deep in thought.
“Gina, how about we help with dishes?” I asked her.
“No, no,” Chloe said. “Little Gina and I will take care of that. You two head down to the beach. It’s a ripper to see at dusk.”
“Are you sure?” I asked.
“Yes,” Chloe said.
I looked at Gina, and she nodded. “You and Jess have fun. I’m tired, Daddy.”
“I’ll see her off to bed soon,” Chloe said then hooked her thumb over her shoulder for me to go inside.
I did as she asked, desperate to escape the awkwardness between Jess and Chloe.
It didn’t take much convincing to get Jess down to the beach.
The air was much cooler as the sun went down. I was glad Jess advised me to bring a jacket.
I heard the crashing of the waves before I could see them.
“This has been such a great day,” I said. “Your home is lovely.”
“Too bad the person living in it is a monster,” she noted.
“Come on. I wouldn’t say she’s a monster.”
She scoffed. “Every time I speak to that woman, I feel like a teenager again.”
“Well, if it helps, you could still pass for a teenager.”
Jess smiled and bumped my arm. I was glad to be someone who could bring her out of a bad mood.
She groaned. “Sorry, Noah. Being here stirs up a lot of shit in my life.”
“Do you want to talk about it?” I asked.
She wrung her hands together. “I don’t want to burden you.”
“It’s not a burden. I want to get to know you. The real you. No matter if it’s good or bad.”