Page 68 of Captiva Book Club

“Well, I’ll make sure to add her too,” Meredith said, her tone softening slightly. “Just make sure you show up on time.”

Luke let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding. “Thanks, Meredith. I appreciate it.”

There was a brief silence before Meredith spoke again, her voice taking on a more personal tone.

“So, how are things going with you, Luke? It’s been a while since we talked.”

Luke hesitated, not sure how much he wanted to share. “A while? It’s been exactly seven months.”

He was baiting her, and that wasn’t at all what he wanted to do, so he pivoted.

“Things are fine. Busy with work, as usual. How about you? How’s… uh… what’s his name again?”

“Jason,” Meredith supplied, a hint of amusement in her voice. “Things are great. We’re really happy.”

Luke forced a smile, though she couldn’t see it. “That’s good to hear. You two didn’t waste any time, huh?”

There was a brief pause before Meredith responded, her tone cool. “No, we didn’t. When you know, you know.”

“Right,” Luke said, trying to sound nonchalant. “It’s just… well, it happened pretty fast, that’s all. I guess I’m still a little surprised.”

“Surprised, huh?” Meredith replied, a touch of curiosity in her voice. “I hope you’re not implying anything, Luke.”

“No, no,” Luke said quickly, kicking himself for the snide remark. “I didn’t mean it like that. I’m happy for you, really.”

Meredith sighed, the tension in her voice dissipating. “It’s okay, Luke. I get it. This whole thing is… strange, I know. But I’m glad we’re still able to talk like this. It means a lot to me for us to remain friends. That's why I sent you an invitation.”

“Yeah,” Luke agreed, though he wasn’t entirely sure he meant it. “I’m glad too.”

There was a brief pause before Meredith spoke again, her voice warm. “Well, I’ll see you at the wedding, then. Take care, Luke.”

“You too, Meredith,” Luke replied, relief flooding through him as he ended the call.

As he set his phone down, he couldn’t help but feel a mix of emotions—relief, frustration, and a lingering sense of disbelief.

He’d gotten through the conversation, but it hadn’t gone quite the way he’d hoped, even though he couldn’t say exactly what it was that he’d hoped for.

Still, it was done, and he’d felt lighter for having closed this chapter in his life. Whatever the future looked like, he knew it wouldn’t depend on having fun at Meredith’s wedding. There was so much more to learn, not just about Katie, but about himself and who he was in the greater world.

CHAPTER 24

Chelsea followed the enticing aroma wafting from the kitchen at the Key Lime Garden Inn. Since Oliver Laurier started working there, every day had become an exciting epicurean adventure.

As she entered the kitchen, she found Oliver in the midst of preparing what could only be described as a breakfast masterpiece.

“Good morning, Chelsea,” Maggie said with an almost sing-song voice. “What brings you here this morning, as if I didn’t already know?”

“Very funny, so I like food, is that a crime?”

Oliver carefully ladled a golden waffle batter into an old-fashioned waffle iron that he had brought with him to Captiva. The batter was flecked with bits of vanilla bean and hints of citrus zest, filling the air with a sweet and tangy aroma.

Maggie stood nearby, watching with wide eyes as Oliver began to prepare the toppings. He carefully sliced ripe strawberries and bananas, arranging them in a vibrant, swirling pattern on a large platter. Beside them, he had whipped up a rich, velvety coconut cream, flavored with just a hint of rum, which he spooned into a small bowl.

“Today’s special,” Oliver announced with a grin, “is tropical citrus waffles with fresh fruit and coconut-rum cream. The waffle batter is infused with orange and lime zest, giving it a bright, refreshing flavor. The coconut cream adds a touch of indulgence without being too heavy.”

Iris, Chelsea and Maggie stood around the kitchen island, their mouths watering in anticipation of a breakfast they’d never had before.

Oliver drizzled a bit of dark, amber-hued syrup over the fruit. “And to finish, a drizzle of aged maple syrup for that perfect balance of sweetness.”

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