Page 38 of The Summer Arrangement
Where is he going with this?
“Well… I may have done something… Well… It’s more of a gift for us… Really… But I’ve been keeping something from you.”
“Jax Cartwright, what have you done?” Sloane jumps in the air and stands to face him. Her hands punch into her hips, and her expression is stern.
Yep, serious Sloane is quick to action when things are left out of her control.
He should know better by now. He’s been with my strait-laced sister for nearly two years.
Reaching for her hand, Jax stands. “If you’d like, I can give you a tour of that place as soon as tomorrow?”
“Wha… What do you mean?” Sloane sputters, trying to put the pieces together.
Then it hits me as I replay his words in my head.
Holy fucking shit.
Did he do what I think he did?
My stomach clenches in anticipation as I wait on bated breath for him to drop his bomb of a surprise.
“It’s ours, Sloane,” he says, barely loud enough to hear over the ocean breeze. But the words are freaking there! Then he adds, “We can move in as early as next month.” Suddenly, my entire family is out of their seats, screaming with joy as we rush them for a hug.
Once we pull apart, Ryan says, “Welp, I guess we won’t have to worry aboutthat kindof annoying neighbors. We’ll just have to deal with the two of you.”
Watching Lizzy with her sisters makes me wish I had a bigger family of my own. Sure, I have a sister who’s six years older than me, but Megan and I aren’t as close as the Lancasters. My dad was never around, and Mom’s finally enjoying her retirement. Megan’s due for another visit soon, but with her busy schedule as an airline pilot, we only meet up when she has a long layover in the area where I’m staying. Now that we live in Seaside for the summer, it’s next to impossible for her to get out here unless she schedules a vacation.
“Anyone want a s’more?” Ryker asks, breaking into the bag of marshmallows.
“What’s a s’more?” Milli asks as she pops up from playing in the sand beside me.
“Cameron,” Lanie gasps. “You’ve never given this sweet child a s’more?”
“I… Uh… Don’t think I have. I tend to keep her away from roaring flames,” I tease.
As everyone busts my balls for holding out on Milli, Lizzy reaches for her hand and says, “A s’more is a roasted marshmallow, placed between two graham crackers with a piece of melted chocolate inside.”
Milli licks her lips and smiles. “Yum.”
“It sure is.” Ryker laughs. “Want me to make you one?”
Milli darts her eyes to mine for approval, and she beams. “Yes, please!”
“Why don’t you sit on my lap, and we’ll watch Ryker roast it for you,” Lizzy offers. “The fire is hot, and I’d hate to see you get burned.”
And just like that, she’s once again proactively putting my daughter’s needs first and effortlessly keeping her out of harm’s way. My chest squeezes at her natural instincts when it comes to Milli.
Milli climbs into her lap faster than he can get the white glob onto his roasting stick. Ryker quickly puts two marshmallows onto the metal prongs and places the rod closer to the fire.
“Anyone else want one?” Finn asks, roasting two at a time over the red-hot coals.
“See, Milli,” Lizzy points out, “look how it’s turning golden-brown. Once the whole thing turns that color, it’ll be done.”
“Ooooh. It’s workin’.” Milli points excitedly.
“Marshmallows are a fine art,” Finn explains. “If we’re not careful and put them too close to the flame, they’ll catch on fire.”
Mills gasps, and Finn continues, “If this ever happens to you, don’t panic or shake your stick. It could fly off and burn you.”
