Page 41 of The Summer Arrangement
She’s supposed to be out celebrating her birthday with her family.
Why does the thought of her stopping by send a rush of adrenaline through me?
I know I shouldn’t look, but I can’t help myself.
I’m like a moth to a flame when it comes to Elizabeth Lancaster.
When I open the tracking app she insisted I download so we can be notified if we’re near one another, my heart sinks to my stomach.
She’s now moved past my house and is currently heading downtown.
I know she’s got an evening planned with her family—and that presumptuous fuck, Ryker.
Until now, I’ve always found him to be a decent guy.
But fuck it all if I want him around Lizzy when she’s vulnerable and drinking.
The more his words from the bonfire last weekend roll through my head, the more on edge I become.
“Hey, with you being the only single one in this bunch of love birds, you can count on me as your wingman for the night.”
Then Sloane’s words strike like a lightning bolt, ripping a hole through my chest cavity. “We’ll have to work on finding you someone here in Seaside this summer, so you’ll want to stick around, too.”
Sure, Jax and Ryan are from Seaside. But just how many single women in this town areavailablefor Ryker? Narrow that small list even further for him to find someone who wouldn’t be out for more than a quick claim to fame.
Yes, that was a topic of concern.
I know this for a fact because I heard it with my own ears when I walked into the studio between takes earlier this week. Ryker claimed he isn’t interested in something serious. But that didn’t stop Jax and Finn from subtly reminding him that neither of them were looking for love when it walked up and smacked each of them respectively in the face.
Look at them—they’re both freaking engaged to their very own Lancaster.
Gah, who am I kidding?
Lizzy’s the perfect candidate for Ryker.
She’s beautiful, witty, and full of life. Best of all, she could give two shits about him being famous.
Fuck, wouldn’t that be some positive PR for the band?
I can see the headlines now. “Another Lancaster steals the last man standing from Ruby Frax, giving a whole new meaning tofamily affair.”
Fuck. My. Life.
Why of all nights didn’t she turn off her location?
Does she even know she’s left it on?
When her blinking location stops at Pop’s Hops, I’m certain it’s where she’ll stay for a while. The guys talked about Pop’s being one of the only places where they can hang out and still be themselves. Who wouldn’t want great food, drinks, and live music?
If I didn’t feel like such a creeper for knowing her location, I’d stop by myself.
There’s only so many places to go in Seaside.
Would it be so bad if I joined them?
And say what exactly?
I… Uh, tracked you here because tonight of all nights you had your location on.
