Page 87 of The Best Friend Power Play

Summer: "But why would a guy like Bear…I mean, he's so…and I'm not…"

Me: "Please tell me you're more coherent in the courtroom."

Summer: "Shut up. All of you. Continue with your list, Evie. Please."

Beth: "Ah, the wonderful art of deflection. It really is an underrated skill."

Me: "And yet one that all the Fast-Talking Five seem well versed in."

We laugh, and Evie concludes by saying, "Which leaves Milo and…Beth."

Beth scoffs. "I don't think so."

"Why not?" I ask.

"He's probably used to women falling at his feet just because he's a pro hockey player, and I refuse to be one of them. Who cares if he has ridiculously broad shoulders? Or those piercing green eyes. Or a stubbled jaw." She clears her throat. "Plus, he has a man bun, and I hate man buns. And men. And love in general."

"And yet she reads every hockey romance novel she can get her hands on," Amiel observes.

"What's he doing here anyway?" Summer asks.

"Not sure. Culver asked if he could come along this afternoon. He said he's going through some stuff."

Beth folds her arms, staring intently across the diner at the broad-shouldered, green-eyed, stubble-jawed, man-bunned guy she seems intent on not falling for.

But eventually, she caves. "What sort of stuff?"

"Culver didn't say. But I think Milo is staying in Comfort Bay for a few days."

"Why?"

I shrug. "Something about him wanting to look around."

"Look around at what?"

"That's a great question, Beth. And look, they're coming over. Why don't you ask him?"

She shakes her head. "Nope. I am not interested."

The guys arrive and hand us our drinks. I went with iced tea since I'm such a lightweight—and I want to remember every second of Culver getting up on that stage. I will get drunk at some stage before the summer is over, but tonight is not that night.

"All right." I set my drink down on the table. "Who's ready to have some fun?"

Beth grumbles something about needing a few more rosés while Culver and Milo slink into the background.

Or try to.

It's a bit hard for them to be inconspicuous when they're both over six feet tall and equally broad-shouldered.

"We'll go," Evie volunteers, grabbing Fraser's hand, not giving him any choice in the matter. Smart move.

They sing a super fun rendition of "Summer Nights" from Grease.

Then Evie and I sing two Bruno Mars songs back-to-back—those songs always remind me of our senior year in high school.

Next, we get the girls to join us for a group song—"Wannabe" by the Spice Girls, which gets a little messy since we all sing over each other, and what are the lyrics anyway?

Beth and Amiel cover Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love." They jokingly look at each other as they sing the lyrics, although…I catch Beth's gaze drifting to Milo on at least three separate occasions.

---