Ten minutes later, we were in my father’s Escalade, driving to The Sweet Bay Table, and my nerves were ratcheting up by the block as my mother filled me in on all the town “news” I needed to know. I could just imagine all the similar conversations that would be had about me after this dinner.

Since my arrival had delayed my parents, the parking lot of the restaurant was mostly filled by the time we got there. Daddy pulled up to the front doors to let my mom and me out then found a parking spot. We went inside where the lobby was dimly lit with wall sconces that flickered on the satiny, taupe wallpaper in between thick, polished wood beams that went up the walls then curved along the tall ceilings.

A young woman dressed in black stared at me from the hostess stand then leaned over and whispered to her coworker. Great, the gossip mill was already running. I didn’t even know her, but obviously she recognized me. I would’ve been flattered, but I knew it wasn’t because I was famous. She’d probably had to search for me online to see what I looked like when she heard a story about me.

My mother flicked her hair, tilted her chin, and sashayed up to the hostess. “Emerson party, here for the Society Club meeting.”

“Right this way, ma’am.” The girl led us through the candlelit restaurant, past the people sitting at the small, black tablecloth-draped tables, who all looked up and stared as we walked by, to a large party room in the back where several tables had been pushed together to make one long setting that overlooked the harbor. The sun had set, leaving the sky and sea black, but a few boats bobbed in the darkness, their lights reflecting off the smooth, inky water. With dim lighting, soft, instrumental music floating through the air, and the placid view, the scene should’ve been relaxing, but instead I felt as tight as my mother’s face lift.

At least back there I wasn’t on display for everyone to see, just the dozen or so most prominent town leaders who sat around the table, talking quietly. Since we were a few minutes late, I assumed most everyone who was coming was already there.

“Layla!” Several people called out my name. A few smiled and waved. I stood there feeling awkward for a moment while my mother gave hugs and air kisses to several of the ladies.

Mother pulled out a chair on the ladies’ side of the table with an empty one next to it and indicated for me to take a seat. “I hope you all don’t mind, but Layla arrived today, and I just had to bring her tonight to visit with everyone.”

The crowd murmured their approval, so Mom and I took a seat. Dad arrived a moment later, greeted the crowd, then went around to the men’s side of the table. A waiter appeared like a black-clothed ghost and took our drink orders. As soon as he glided away, the interrogation started.

Mother’s closest friend, Maxine, a woman with unnaturally dark hair, a tone-on-tone, beige outfit, and a face stiffened by Botox, gave my mother a look that said she was a little offended she hadn’t heard the news beforehand then looked over at me. “Layla dear, how’s Hollywood? Are you between projects? Have you worked on any big films lately? Met any famous movie stars?”

Her strong voice echoed in the large room, and the whole table quieted and waited for my answer. I fussed with the silverware for a moment, leaving sweaty fingerprints on it, then slid my damp palms off the table and onto my lap, rubbing them on my dress. When I realized I was letting myself get lost in the floral pattern, I quickly jerked my head upright and forced a smile.

Stalling would only make them question my sincerity. It was better to get it out now than try to avoid their questions. If I didn’t give them answers, they’d come up with their own, and their speculations were sure to be even worse than the truth, though that was hard to imagine. I ignored the questions about Hollywood because I didn’t want to admit I hadn’t had a decent role in years and focused on the question about my return. That would incite enough talk.

“Everything’s good; just taking a little break. I love this town too much to stay away any longer.”

Another positive murmur rose up, and Maxine raised her wine glass to me. “Oh, that’s wonderful, dear! I’m sure your folks are thrilled to have you back. How long are you staying?”

“A month, I think.”

“So, you’ve earned enough to take a month off? Must be nice to have the luxury of not working.” Mr. Rainey, the president of the bank and my father’s boss and longtime golf partner, hid his nosiness behind flattery that felt more like a personal jab. I wanted to ignore the question, but I knew the truth would come out eventually. Better to own up to it with confidence than try to hide it.

“I’ve actually taken a temporary job at the resort, assisting the owner.”

Their looks told me their opinions, even before they said a word, but it only took a moment before they started commenting. Like well-heeled, southern ladies and gentlemen, they didn’t come right out and say what they thought, but their polite turns of phrase couldn’t hide their disapproval.

Maxine’s husband, a paunchy man whose face was so red and scrunched up it looked like his tie was choking him, stuck a finger behind it to loosen it and made a face. “The owner. You mean that Montgomery boy?”

“Well, he’s a grown man now. A very successful one.” I didn’t know why I felt the need to defend him. Maybe I saw he wasn’t like his other family members who had a reputation for causing trouble, or maybe I was just grateful he’d offered me a job. But either way, I felt a little offended by their attitude towards him.

Murmured comments buzzed around me as the waiter brought our drinks. I took a sip of my Perrier and wondered if I should’ve ordered wine. I normally avoided alcohol because of the empty calories, but it was going to be a long night.

“Yeah, so successful he thinks he owns this town.”

“Money is no substitute for class.”

“A few dollars in the bank can’t make up for a poor upbringing.”

Maxine reached across my mother to lay a hand laden down with heavy, gold jewelry on my arm. “Layla dear, you know we’re just tickled pink to have you back. But maybe you should look for another position. I’m not sure the resort is the right place for someone like you.”

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. She said it with all the naive confidence of a woman who’d never worked a day in her life. “Well, there aren’t too many other positions available in this town, but the resort has a lot of openings.”

She chuckled and patted my arm, her bracelets jangling. “Well, honey, that’s because no one wants to work for that man. I’ve heard he’s a heartless employer — no consideration for others, at all. And besides, everyone knows the Society is trying to put a stop to that resort before it opens. It won’t last for long. We don’t need or want that tourist trap in our town.” She curled her lip in disgust like it was a tacky, roadside gift shop instead of a luxury resort.

I knew I was going to tick them off and embarrass my parents, but I couldn’t help it. They were just so narrow-minded and entitled. Most of them came from money, and all of them had high-earning positions they’d held for decades, ruling over this town like lords. They didn’t have a clue what it was like for people who were scraping by, trying to earn a living. I might’ve been that way, too, at one point, but trying to make it in Hollywood had been a big wake-up call for me. I couldn’t stand their elitist attitudes. And Calvin had been compassionate to me, letting me have a job I was in no way qualified for.

“Well, he’s been kind to me, so far. I think Calvin is doing a good thing, building his resort in Sweet Bay. He’s trying to improve the town. It will boost the economy, and that’s good for everyone, don’t you think?”

I glanced around at them, worried I’d be burned at the stake for daring to have a different opinion. I wasn’t brave enough to look at my mother or father. But instead of getting angry, they looked at me like a foolish child who had no idea how the world worked.

“We’re more interested in preserving the integrity of the town than lining our pockets.” Mr. Rainey patted his burgundy satin waistcoat for effect. With a gold chain dangling from his watch pocket, he looked like Ebenezer Scrooge. All he needed was a top hat. His pockets were already heavily padded by every business owner in town, so of course he was less concerned about that.

Mrs. Anderson, the sweetest of the bunch, leaned over the table. “Perhaps you could talk some sense into him, Layla. Get him to see the ill effects his resort will have on this town. Maybe convince him to build it somewhere else? This is his hometown, after all; he should care what happens to it.”

“The Montgomerys never did before,” her husband scowled.

I couldn’t argue with that. Calvin’s father and brothers had mostly stirred up trouble in town. But Calvin seemed different from them. I guess it was obvious back in high school, too, but I was too busy making fun of him to notice how hard he was trying to overcome his situation.

The resort was already built and almost ready to open. There was no way I could convince Calvin not to open it, but maybe I could help him find a way to appeal to the residents, too, and not just the tourists. If he could find it in his heart to forgive me and show me kindness, maybe he could do the same for the rest of the town.

The waiter returned to take our orders then, putting a halt to the conversation. I stayed quiet after that, and the conversation eventually drifted to other topics, but I didn’t participate in any of them. I was too caught up in my thoughts about Calvin.

I hadn’t thought about him in years, but the last time I’d paid him any attention at all, it had been to bully him. Now that he was back in my life, I was surprised at how quickly I’d changed my mind about him. I couldn’t stop thinking about how handsome he was, how intelligent, how successful. No, I wouldn’t mind working with Calvin Montgomery, at all. In fact, I was looking forward to spending the day with him tomorrow, even if I would be revealing my ignorance. But I wondered, was there anything left of that high school crush he had on me?