Page 90 of Summer Kisses

"I'll keep working for Kingston Construction. I love working with my family and supporting the community. I want to see Hazel's after-school program grow and thrive. Maybe we'll see it in more Florida libraries. And I'll keep growing my video-game show. It's a fun hobby that has turned into an escape for so many. And at the end of the day, I hope I'm going home to Hazel. I want to build a life with her."

"After hearing your story, I think I speak for everyone by saying that we hope for the same. Good luck."

"Thanks for listening, Colin."

"You're welcome. You've given us quite a story."

I just hoped Hazel would read this somewhere or even see the video.

"I'll be releasing the video on our online platform along with the transcript."

"I thought you'd want to print the story."

"Viewers are going to love this. I thought we were investigating nepotism, but instead it's a love story. And I have to tell you a secret; love sells. Shocking, I know."

"I want Hazel to see this."

"Make sure she does," Colin said.

After I left the meeting with Colin, I called Ivy. "I need your help."

"I was hoping you'd say that," Ivy said, and I could hear the smile in her voice.

I'd work out a plan with Ivy and hope for the best. Everything was contingent on Hazel being in love with me too. I could work with something less, but if she wanted nothing to do with me, then that would be it. I'd lose everything, and I wasn't ready to give up.

The possibility of us kept me going.

Chapter Twenty-Three

HAZEL

At the senior center, I helped Mabel and her friends—Sofia, Blaire, and Edith—decorate for the party we were throwing to celebrate the anniversary of the opening of the center. Every business and community member who'd donated their money or time would be in attendance.

The timing was perfect for our plan to work. We needed a way to ensure Brady was present. I thought it would be best to do something in front of everyone because we'd deceived the community and I owed them an explanation.

I still wore the ring, but I felt a little like a fraud with it on my finger, even though it was Grandma's ring.

When I tried to give it back to her, she'd curled my fingers around the ring and asked me to keep it. She'd said she always wanted me to have it but only if I married Brady.

That caveat had everyone laughing, but it made me nervous. Did Brady want a future with me? Or did he see me as a friend with benefits? We got along great together, but had I missed all the signs that we were better off as friends? I was driving myself crazy with the doubts.

I had to relax and trust that everything would work out. Grandma seemed convinced that we were meant to be, but my friends were a little more skeptical.

It was Ivy's job to get Brady here. I'd ignored his calls, texting to let him know where I was and what I was doing. He had to be here for my plan to work.

When the same lanterns we'd used for my engagement party were hung, we added streamers and balloons. Mabel and her friends adored throwing parties. I think they enjoyed any reason to celebrate, and I couldn't blame them.

At one point, Elena had appeared with a bag from the local pharmacy, and she went into the single-use bathroom with Ivy which was more than a little strange. I made a mental note to keep an eye on them. I didn't want to ignore Ivy if she was having a personal crisis too.

Ten minutes later, Elena emerged, and a few seconds later, Ivy came out. Her hair fell in front of her face as she headed out of the room and into the hallway. She may have wanted some privacy, so I didn't follow her, but I did take the opportunity to duck into the bathroom.

What was in the bag? When I closed the door behind me, I felt a little silly. It was probably just tampons or something like that. I scanned the room, not seeing anything amiss, but then my gaze snagged on a box resting on the back of the toilet.

It was a box of pregnancy tests, and one was missing. I couldn't help but look down at the garbage can where a used test stick was staring up at me. The results must have been on the other side because I didn't see a screen with any lines.

This was a huge invasion of privacy, but I couldn't resist. I used the box to flip it to the other side. There were two pink lines. The box indicated that meant whoever took the test was pregnant. It had to be either Elena or Ivy. Elena was the only one dating someone.

Odds were, though, that Elena bought the test for Ivy to be a good friend. Which meant it was probably Ivy's test, but I couldn't be positive, and she hadn't come to me. It was none of my business. I'd be there for her when she needed me. But I couldn't help but feel a pang of loss.

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