Page 97 of (Not So) Famous in Paradise

Ike doesn’t hear him. There are too many people cheering. We’ve invited half the town to Little Copenhagen’s beach to celebrate the completion of Granny Neilson’s renovation and the first season ofAt Home With Georgia Rose.Zach’s parents are here, and so are mine, plus Britta, Bear, and Seb. And of course Adam and Evie.

But so many others too. Rowdy and Tessa, Mrs. Christianson, Ted and Sheryl Tuttle, and a hundred other people. Even my roommate, Cassie, is here. So is Evie’s stepsister, Hope.

“Looks like anymore kissing will have to be off camera,” I say to Zach and wave to everyone while Stella takes pictures to post later.

“How long will that be? I think I had some stage fright with that last one. I’d like a few more chances to get it right.” Zach drops his hand from my waist and laces his fingers through mine.

“We should probably go mingle first.” I squeeze his hand, and he squeezes back.

Zach holds my hand all the time, but every time he takes my smaller fingers into his much larger, stronger ones, my heart hitches. I have to remind myself I’m not dreaming. Our palms really are pressed together, mine swallowed in his.

Even though, more often than not, our lips are pressed together too, holding Zach’s hand is my favorite. I mean, the kissing is very, very nice. I like it a lot. But there’s something comforting and secure in knowing I can slip my hand into his whenever I want. We can link ourselves together anytime, anywhere.

Zach leans close and says in a low voice, “Why don’t we stay here for a little longer? No one seems to mind we’re not mingling.”

“Good plan.”

We sit on the hanging swing we’ve added to the porch, still holding hands. Zach kicks back and the swing does it’s thing. My bare arm is pressed against his. The weather has finally turned warm, and we’re both in short sleeves. A soft breeze follows us as we swing back and forth.

Our guests mill around on the front lawn and the beach across from it. Some find seats where they sip drinks and eat the appetizer’s Adam provided. And, of course, Britta has provided coffee and ebelskiver. All in all, it’s a very satisfying way to wrap the first season. Although, technically, we still have to the finishing touches inside to put together, and shooting the final reveal when that’s done. But that will happen in September.

And, the truth is, I’d be just as happy celebrating alone with Zach right here in this swing. I lay my head on his shoulder and nestle closer to him.

“Uh oh,” Zach says, and points to Bear handing a wad of napkins to Cassie, who’s using them to wipe something off her white shirt. “What do you think happened there?”

“I don’t know, but Cassie doesn’t look happy.”

Before I can say more, Cassie is walking toward us, tugging her wet shirt away from her skin. Bear stays behind, clutching the napkins, his face flushed red.

“What happened?” I ask Cassie when she reaches the porch.

“That kid ran into me and spilled iced coffee all over me.” She waves her head in Bear’s direction while wiping at her shirt. “I don’t know if this will come out.”

“Do you mean Bear?” Zach asks.

“If that’s the big guy, then yeah,” she answers, not looking up.

“That’s Zach’s brother. Remember I told you about him?”

A flash of confusion crosses Cassie’s face when she looks at me. “Vaguely.”

“He’s twenty-three. That’s not really a kid.” Zach has a touch of defensiveness in his voice. He’s very protective of his baby brother.

Cassie gives her shirt one more swipe, then sighs. “I’m going to have to change.” She takes a couple steps, then turns back to Zach. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to offend. Everyone seems like a kid now that I’m the ripe, old age of thirty.”

“No worries,” Zach laughs. “Bear’s the baby of the family, so he’s still a kid in a lot of ways.”

“Not in size, that’s for sure.” Cassie’s eyes wander to Bear who’s bending over to pick up the empty cup whose contents are on Cassie. She may not appreciate his coffee-holding skills, but judging by the admiring grin on her face, she’s found something about him to appreciate.

Once Bear stands, Cassie turns back to Zach. “Georgia mentioned an auto shop around here that might be for sale. You’re a real estate agent, aren’t you? Could you show it to me?”

I’m as surprised as Zach by the question. Cassie hasn’t said anything about the shop since I mentioned it months ago. But I don’t know why Zach is surprised, I only see it in his hesitation to answer.

“Uh, sure. I can do that,” he says finally.

“Great. Tomorrow?”

Zach nods, and Cassie points to my house, where she’s staying with me. “I’m going to change. Be back in a minute.”

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