Legacy by M.A. Foster

_____________________________

Katie

“Hey, Katie.” Hazel waves me through the back door.

“Good morning,” I say, stepping inside and following her through the kitchen and into the front space.

Cafe by the Bay, owned by Hazel Young, is a remodel I started toward the end of the Abyss project. This place was once known as The Bistro, which served breakfast and gourmet coffee until a Starbucks opened just a few doors down. The owners sold the building to Hazel—which came with a two-bedroom apartment upstairs—and relocated to a building downtown. With a kitchen already in place, the remodel was simple.

“It looks good,” I say, taking in the exposed brick walls, polished concrete floors, painted ductwork, and pendant lighting. It gives the space an industrial vibe. Exactly what Hazel had asked for. “Your furniture should be here next week.”

“I can’t wait.” Hazel does a little happy clap. “Everything is coming together perfectly. Most of the inventory has arrived. Oh.” She snaps her fingers and heads back the way we came. “Come to my office. I have a gift for you.”

I follow her, stopping at the threshold of her office. Boxes are stacked in the middle of her desk, and she disappears behind them only to pop up a moment later with a gift bag. “This made me think of you,” she says with a laugh as she hands me the bag.

Opening the bag, I pull out a rose gold insulated coffee mug that says “A wise woman once said, ‘Fuck this shit,’ and she lived happily ever after.” I laugh out loud. Novelty mugs are my jam. Some women collect purses and shoes. I collect mugs. “Best gift ever.” I place the mug back inside the bag and give Hazel a one-armed hug. “Thank you so much.”

“You’re welcome.”

“You should sell these.”

“I’m glad you think so, because I ordered a bunch of them. Not the same as yours, of course.”

“I’ll probably be in here buying them all up,” I tease. Which reminds me…. “Before I forget, I wanted to let you know I’m leaving next month for London.”

“Vacation?”

“Work,” I preen. “One of the owners of Abyss was impressed with my design, so he hired me to remodel his club in London.”

“How exciting. Have you ever been to London?”

I shake my head. “I’ve never been out of the States, but my dream has always been to work internationally. This project definitely falls under international. Anyway, I wanted to mention it because I will be here to finish out this project, but unfortunately I won’t be here for your grand opening.” I wince. “But I’ll bring you some English jam.”

She twists her lips to the side as she considers me for a moment. “Throw in some lemon curd and you're forgiven.”

“Deal.”

* * *

The Brunchery is tucked in the corner of The Village Shopping Center between a nail salon and a new gourmet popsicle shop—whatever the hell that is. Grabbing the handle, I pull the door open and step inside. Gabbi is sitting in our usual booth, mimosa in one hand and phone in the other. She lives in the condos above the shopping center. Everything she needs is within walking distance, but the cost of real estate here is easily three times what I make in a year. I lucked out with my loft because the development was new and my boss knew the builder.

“Sorry I’m late,” I say, sliding into the booth across from her. “Where’s Vanessa?”

She sets her phone facedown and turns her full attention to me. “She’s running late, too.”

A waiter approaches with Gabbi’s breakfast and another mimosa, and I place my order.

“Where were you yesterday?” I ask her. “I was calling you all afternoon.”

“I drove up to Jacksonville to see my cousin, and we spent the day in St. Augustine.” She picks up her fork and digs into her eggs. “I got home late.”

She’s not her chirpy self this morning.

The waiter arrives with my mimosa and side of toast. “Your order will be out in five minutes.”

“Thanks.” I bring the glass to my lips, eyeing my friend over the rim. “What’s wrong, Gabbi?”

Brows pinched, she looks at me as if I’ve grown another head. “Nothing.” She shakes her head. “I’m just tired and hungry. I think I’m getting my period.”

The waiter returns with my scrambled eggs and bacon and another mimosa. We’re halfway through breakfast when Vanessa breezes in and slides into the booth beside me.

“Fuck my life,” she murmurs, ducking her head.

“What’s wrong?”

She leans forward. “Liam’s parents are here.”

“Really?” Gabbi cranes her neck. “Where?”

“Can you not?” Vanessa snaps, and I pinch my lips to keep from laughing.

Five years ago, Vanessa married her hot shot boyfriend of two years, Liam Mackenzie, the shortstop for the LA Heat. He took her to Vegas for her twenty-first birthday, and they eloped.

Gabbi, Kennedy, and I were shocked that she’d done something so reckless and out of character, but being her best friends, we supported her decision.

The marriage lasted all of a month before Vanessa found out Liam had formed some sort of odd friendship slash relationship with a famous actress while she was back home in college.

Out of the four of us, Vanessa is the toughest, both physically and emotionally. Most likely because she was raised by her father. She’s also the most stubborn. She hates drama, avoids confrontation, and wears her anger and hurt like body armor. Which is why her life is a hot mess at the moment.

“I don’t want them to see me. Especially after….” She waves a hand. “I need to tell you guys something.”

“Will we need more alcohol for this conversation?” Gabbi grins, bringing the champagne glass to her lips.

“Lots.” Vanessa props her elbow on the table and tucks her fist under her chin. “I did something really stupid last weekend,” she starts.

“This is gonna be good,” I say as I lift my hand to grab the server’s attention and gesture for him to bring us another round of mimosas.

“I don’t want champagne,” Vanessa whines, falling against the back of the booth. “Champagne is for celebrating.”

The server arrives with three mimosas and sets them on the table. “Would you mind bringing her a Bloody Mary?” Gabbi points to Vanessa, then snatches her mimosa. “I’ll keep this.”

“Sure,” the server says with a smile before walking off.

“What’s going on?” I ask.

“Remember I told you how we ran into Liam’s brother, Max, and his family last week at dinner?” Vanessa says.

“Yeah,” I drawl.

“What I didn’t tell you is that I drunk-dialed Liam later that night.”

I snort a laugh, and Gabbi nearly chokes on her drink before setting her glass down on the table. Picking up her napkin, she dabs her chin.

“I know.” Vanessa waves us off.

Gabbi leans forward. “Explain.”

Vanessa gives a careless shrug. “He didn’t call me on my birthday this year, and Saturday would’ve been our five-year wedding anniversary. I had too much to drink at dinner, and seeing his family just… it made me miss him, okay?”

“Hmm.” Gabbi leans back against the booth, pursing her lips like she’s pondering something.

“What?” Vanessa prompts.

“What did he say?”

“I don’t really remember, but I’m sure I sounded like a drunken idiot. You know how emotional I get when I drink too much.”

“Do you still love him?” Gabbi asks.

Vanessa shoots her a “duh” look. “You really have to ask?”

“Let me ask you this,” I interject. “What were you hoping he’d say?”

“I don’t know. I don’t even remember our conversation.”

“Maybe you should call him again—when you’re sober, of course—and tell him how you feel. He’d probably jump on the next flight back to Heritage.” Gabbi snickers.

The server returns with Vanessa’s Bloody Mary. “Thank you,” she says as he sets it down in front of her. “Jake and I haven’t even been broken up two months yet,” she continues. “Running back to the one person who completely wrecked me for life is the last thing I should do. It would never work.” Because they’re both too stubborn. “I think I’m just feeling a little nostalgic being back in Heritage. Everything reminds me of Liam, which is weird since he doesn’t even live here.”

“Maybe we should call Kennedy and get her opinion,” I suggest, pulling my phone from my purse.

“No,” Vanessa hisses and gestures to her Bloody Mary. “I’m gonna need at least three of these before enduring one of Kennedy’s lectures.”

I shove my phone back inside my purse.

“I thought you guys hated Liam?” She quirks a brow.

Gabbi holds up a hand defensively. “I don’t hate him. I hate what he did to you.”

“I agree,” I add. “As your best friends, we’re always going to be on your side. Even if we don’t agree with your choices, we’ll always have your back.”

“Truth,” Gabbi says. “For example, Jake. I told you there was something about him I didn’t like, but you swore he was the first man since Liam who truly made you happy. As your friend, that’s all I wanted for you. And even though I thought he was a douche, I kept my mouth shut because I love you.”

Vanessa turns to me. “Did you feel that way, too?”

I lift a shoulder. “My opinion of Jake wasn’t important.” I gesture to Gabbi. “Like she said, he made you happy, and that’s all that mattered.”

“I’m really lucky I get to call you guys my best friends.”

“Damn straight.” Gabbi reaches for her glass.

“There’s more.” Her expression turns pained. “I overheard my dad and Kelly having sex last week.” Her whole body shudders before she picks up her Bloody Mary.

Gabbi throws her head back, and we both laugh out loud.

“Then he had the nerve to apologize for it,” she adds, her lip curling in disgust.

“Kelly is a lucky lady. Coach Abbott is hot.” Gabbi teases, jerking her eyebrows up and down.

No lie. Coach Abbott is hella hot. Single dad, college baseball coach, late forties, and sexy. I’d totally read that story.

“He’s my dad, you dick.”

“I’m with Gabbi,” I add with a light laugh. “He’s been the star of many of my fantasies.”

She smacks me on the thigh. “Stop it.” She waves a finger between Gabbi and me. “Both of you.”

“We’re just messing with you.” I pinch my lips together. “Kind of.”

She shoves her hands into her hair and groans. “I need to find my own place.”

“You can stay with me,” Gabbi offers.

“Thanks for the offer, babe, but no. We’re still best friends for a reason.”

“You can stay at my place,” I offer. “I’m leaving for London in a couple weeks, and I’ll be gone until after New Year’s.”

Vanessa turns her whole body toward me and presses her hands together like she’s praying. “Really?”

“Yeah.” I nod. “And I won’t have to worry about my place being empty while I’m gone.”

“I can pay rent,” she offers.

As if.I wave her off. “Keep your money.”

“Speaking of,” Gabbi pipes up, “how’s the job search going?”

Vanessa plucks a piece of bacon out of the Bloody Mary and nibbles on it as she fills us in on her job search and latest interview. “Hopefully one of them will offer me a job.”

“Vanessa.” A deep voice startles the three of us, and we all turn our attention to a handsome older man who looks like he could be in his late fifties or early sixties. “I thought that was you.”

“Dr. Mackenzie. Hi.” Vanessa stands from the booth.

Shut up. This is Liam’s dad?

Damn.

“I’ll be right back,” Vanessa says before she follows him outside.

“Is it just me or is Dr. Mackenzie a total daddy?” Gabbi says.

“I was thinking silver fox.”

“Definitely,” she agrees. “But a daddy all the same.” She jerks her eyebrows up and down. “Book research.”

I shoot her an exasperated look. “I’m gonna need you to simmer down, Gigi.”

“What?” She grins as she reaches for her mimosa.

She knows what.

“Do you have a thing for older men?”

“Not really.” She shrugs. “I don’t mind an older man, especially if he looks like Dr. Mackenzie.”

“Write what you know first before you ‘research.’” Speaking of…. I raise my brows. “You could always write about Mr. Carver. We can add a student teacher to our list.”

A look passes over her face, one of pain and longing.

Mr. Carver taught English and was an assistant coach at Magnolia Prep. He was probably twenty-three back then. He was hot. All the females had a crush on him, even the teachers, but Gabbi swore he was the love of her life. He was also the first man to break her heart.

Over spring break, senior year, we ran into Mr. Carver at the beach. He was there with a couple of his college buddies. Gabbi turned on the charm, and Mr. Carver couldn’t help himself. They spent the entire spring break hooking up. Was it wrong? Yes, because he was a teacher and she was his student. Even though she was eighteen, and technically an adult, she was still a student, and in our state it’s illegal.

When we returned to class the following week, he acted as if nothing happened. Gabbi was hurt, but she wasn’t stupid. She knew he could lose his job, or worse, so she didn’t push.

Then word got around that Mr. Carver was dating the art teacher, Miss Lewis, and that was how Gabbi suffered her first broken heart.

Sigh.

“Fuck that guy.” She flicks her wrist and shifts her attention away from me. “That’s Liam’s mom.”

I arch my neck to see a petite blonde woman pushing through the door. “Do you think Liam will show up when he finds out Vanessa’s back?”

“I bet they won’t tell him.”

“Why?”

“Because I talked to him briefly at his niece’s wedding. He is still very much in love with Vanessa. I wish you could’ve seen the hurt on his face when I mentioned Vanessa was engaged. I couldn’t help but feel bad for him. If he finds out she’s back, he’ll lose his mind.” Her brows dip as she seems to be mulling something over. “Doesn’t he come home during the offseason?”

“I believe so.”

Her gaze darts to the bay window, and I follow her line of sight to see Liam’s mom hugging Vanessa. “The Mackenzies are smart people.” A beat passes, and I turn my face back to her. “Thank you for offering your place to Vanessa,” she adds.

“I have plenty of space. Besides,” I say with a grin, “I need someone to look after Rocky.”

“Better her than me.”

I narrow my eyes at her. “Oh shut it. You love him.”

“From afar. He’s like every other male in my life: cute, but I still don’t trust him.”

Vanessa returns to the table, smiling.

“How’d it go?” I ask.

“I think Dr. Mackenzie is going to give me a job at the medical center.”

My eyes dart to Gabbi, who mouths, “Smart people.”