Page 26 of Summer Ever After
“It pays the bills.”
“I think it’s awesome. You were always great with engines and fixing things.”
“Speaking of fixing things, I feel bad you’re here for Stan’s boat. I left a message with him this morning that one of the parts I was expecting didn’t come in this weekend. It’ll be a few more days until it gets here, and then I can fix his propeller.”
“Stan just landed in Europe. He probably hasn’t even seen your message yet.”
“Sorry for the wasted trip down here.”
“I was close by, so it wasn’t a wasted trip. Besides”—he puts his hands on his hips, facing me—“I got to see you and Jane. Are you guys just hanging out?”
I quickly say yes at the same time Dax says no. Our conflicting answers add to Walker’s amusement.
“Actually, I need to get back to work.” Dax shoots me a pointed look. “So, Jane, maybe you should get going.”
There’s a sniff of laughter beside me. I know it’s laughter, because the last time I checked, Walker didn’t have a runny nose.
“Oh, yeah. Sure.” I take a step back, playing off myembarrassment. “I have to get back to work too. Lunch break is over.”
“I’ll walk with you,” Walker offers.
What is with him always wanting towalkwith me? It’s times like these I wish the island allowed cars. Maybe I could hail a taxi and get away from him and his beautiful face.
“Dax, why don’t you just text me when the boat is ready?”
“Same number from high school?”
“Yeah.”
“Sounds good.”
I turn my back as Dax says his last goodbyes. “See you, Walker.”
Where’s my,‘See you, Jane’?
“You too.”
I march down the dock, unsure if I’m more irritated at Dax for blowing me off or Walker for always interrupting my moments—not that things were going well, but still.
“Wow, Jane, you really get around. Last night, it was Beau Palmer, and first thing Monday morning, it’s Dax Miller.”
“Last night wasnotBeau Palmer. We’re just friends. And it’s not first thing Monday morning. It’s lunchtime. Dax was just giving me some advice.”
“Giving you advice?” Walker’s head kicks back. “On what?”
I’m not a fan of the humored undertone to his words, as if Dax Miller and I have absolutely nothing in common—which we don’t, but I hate that Walker knows it.
I turn to him with a lifted chin. “On tattoos. I’m thinking of getting one.”
“You mean a washable one, right? Because the Jane I know would never get a tattoo.”
I roll my eyes and pick up my pace, whipping around thecorner of Dax’s shop. “You haven’t seen me in a decade. Stop pretending like you know me.”
“I don’t like the angry tone you’re using.” His tone is decidedlynotangry, which makes everything worse.
Usually, I’m the poster child for friendliness in Sunset Harbor, but with Walker, I keep things clipped and sarcastic. I never take him seriously, dish back whatever he throws at me, and always change the subject. That’s how I kept my promise to Capri all through junior high and high school. I didn’t have the luxury of being enamored with Walker like the other girls—at least not in public. My true feelings were only reserved for my diary. I don’t have feelings for him anymore, but just to be safe, I’m sticking with the same rules.
“How was Grandma Deedee?” I pair my change of subject with a friendly smile, turning around to face him so I get a little credit for my friendliness. “I’m sure she was really happy to see you.”
