Page 129 of Must Have Been Love

“How have you started?” she asks, narrowing her eyes. I tell her about the lyrics in the sand. When I describe them her eyes sparkle.

“You’re an old romantic at heart.”

I clear my throat. “I’m trying. So are you going to invite me in, or am I on my own here?”

“Of course you’re coming in.” She grabs my hand and practically yanks me through the front door. “Parker, we’re gonna need coffee, and lots of it,” she calls out. “We’re making plans.”

* * *

SKYLER

On Saturday morning there’s a new sentence on the sand.

You Are Fearless. You Are Graceful. You Are Love.

It’s like an old fashioned text without a reply button.

But maybe, just maybe, this is what I need. Time to absorb, time to work out what I want.

Time to come to terms with the fact that I think the man I love is wooing me.

I grab my coat and head up to Mylene’s for a palatable coffee. The shop is quiet when I walk in. The tourists aren’t up yet, and since it’s a Saturday the support staff are probably still in bed too. Life on Liberty only seems to come alive at lunchtime over the weekends.

“Your usual?” Mylene asks. It’s only been my usual for a few days, but I nod anyway. She didn’t blink when I told her I had to drink decaf for medical reasons.

I’m starting to think she knows everything that goes on in this island before anybody else does. Her and Eileen.

“Are you coming to Karaoke tonight?” I ask her.

“That’s the plan,” she says. “The other one can’t sing, so I’m hoping she’s not there.”

“Eileen, you mean?”

She wrinkles her nose at my words.

I open my mouth to ask her why they can’t just let bygones be bygones. But then I realize it’s none of my business.

One day I’ll find out the answer. But for now, I have my own problems to think about. I don’t need to take on hers.

“How are you feeling?” I turn to see Jesse pulling out a chair beside me.

“I’m fine. The same way I was last night when you asked.”

“Just checking.” He looks at my stomach. “Uncle’s privileges.” He leans on the counter. “So…”

“So?” I repeat, lifting a brow.

“You told him yet?”

I tip my head to the side. “Has Lee been talking to you?”

“She might have called to ask me how you were doing. Likereallydoing.”

“I’m not sure I like the two of you ganging up on me.”

He shrugs. “Hey, that’s what families do. So we need to talk about song choices tonight. Have you chosen what you’re singing.”

“Yes. Have you?”

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