Page 17 of Just One Summer with the Grumpy

She sniffed. “Except he’s never said he loves me. Not once.”

I swallowed. Ty wasn’t perfect, but at least he’d been able to say those three important words. “I’m sorry.”

“Marcus says I’m beautiful,” she continued, her tone bitter, “but there’s always a ‘but.’ Like he wishes I would tone my stomach a little more. Or he likes the sound of my voice, but I use it too much. Or I have good taste in clothes, but I spend too much of his money. But, but, but. Never enough. Always lacking. He’ll brag to people that I have a Master’s degree and then joke that it was obviously a waste of time and money. Right there, with everyone laughing in my face.” Her eyes flicked to the chair Afonso had just vacated. “He would never have sat by my side all night until I felt better.”

Silence fell upon the cabana, broken only by the distant sound of waves, shrieking seagulls, and the quiet pain of a young woman’s heart.

I knew what Chase expected of me. He wanted this wedding to go through at any cost.

But that was the difference between me and him—I couldn’t be okay with that. Not when it meant a lifetime of abuse and misery for another human being. Nothing was worth that. Not all the money in the entire world.

“I thought I could endure it till he died, and I could live as a widow in peace,” Kami continued. “But I don’t think I can take another week with that man, let alone take his name forever. Since we’ve been together, I’ve completely lost myself. I didn’t realize it until I stepped into that kayak yesterday. Afonso treats me like a completely different person. I like who I am with him.”

I like who I am with him.

Had I liked who I was with Ty? We’d been completely wrapped up in each other at first. But our relationship had felt strained over time when he won every argument, chose every restaurant, and dominated or ended every conversation. With each day that passed, I felt more and more like Cinderella’s stepsister—the one trying to fit her too-large foot into a tiny glass slipper.

But Veronica Loyal, of all people? He’d fallen for the first heiress to come along, and the entire world had to see that they didn’t belong together. If I didn’t save him, nobody would.

Kamia, on the other hand, had nobody else to save her. Marriage and family relationships were hard enough without abuse. If a bad marriage could be avoided, didn’t I have a commission from humanity to try, Chase Everett or not? Surely rich people deserved happiness too.

If only this didn’t feel as if I had to choose between helping Kamia and winning Ty back.

With an internal sigh, I leaned forward as Kamia dabbed at her eyes. “There’s a quote I love from a cowboy movie. It says, ‘If you’re going to sprint, make sure it’s because you’re chasing your future and not running from your past.’ It sounds like you already know what you want. You’re just afraid to chase it.”

Kamia’s eyes ducked. “Because it’s terrifying.”

I took her manicured hand and gave her a level stare. “Maybe so. But at least you won’t need to be afraid anymore. Think what that will be like.”

I watched as Kamia’s shoulders rounded, her back straightened, and her expression changed. “You’re right.” She sniffed and straightened. “No, really. You’re right. I know exactly what I need to do. I need to disappear. Far away, somewhere Marcus will never find me.”

Somewhere like Portugal.She didn’t have to say it aloud. I saw the decision in her eyes, her posture, and her hopeful expression.

“I don’t have to do this.” Her voice was full of realization, of wonder. “Thank you, wedding planner. What’s your name again?”

“Daphne Porter,” I said, marveling at this instant change in her. The fear was completely gone.

“There’s one more thing you can do for me, Daphne Porter. Continue preparations for tonight’s dinner, but I’ll text Marcus to meet me at the waterfall near the front of the resort in one hour. I want you and Chase there too.”

Oh, boy. This would be fun to explain to Chase. “You’ve got it.” I stood and started away.

“Daphne?”

I turned back. “Yes?”

Kamia stared at me, looking all lit up inside. She looked like a completely different person from the shriveled woman I’d found sleeping in this cabana a few minutes before. “Thanks a lot.”

“I’m here to serve.”

NINE

I was most definitelynothereto serve.

As I approached the waterfall, I found Chase standing there with his arms folded. He didn’t look happy.

“They aren’t here yet?” I asked, looking around at the tropical flowers and the gorgeous water feature. The water fell gently, creating an audible backdrop of sound that felt immediately relaxing. It would have been a beautiful site for a wedding proposal or even a reception. But I had a feeling it would serve as quite the opposite today.

“Not yet,” Chase said. “Before they arrive, I need to know what’s going on.”

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