Page 44 of Summer Ever After
“Oh, were you two golfing together?” Grandma Deedee sits at the kitchen table. Her question is high-pitched, as if she’s pleased with our arriving together.
I swing my eyes to Jane, who definitely noticed the match-making tone. “Nope,” she quickly answers. “I just drove Walker here because he didn’t have a ride. Nothing more.”
“Nothing more?” Grandma’s eyes narrow like she’s reading between the lines.
“Nothing more.” Jane’s finality bugs me more than it should.
“Jane!” Serenity tugs her arm. “Can you come to my talent show at Seaside Oasis tomorrow?”
“I would, but I already have plans tomorrow morning.” Jane stares down at her with a smile that’s supposed to convey sadness. “I’m sorry, sweetie.”
“What are the plans? Another big date?” Heath chuckles.
“Uh”—she glances around—“I actually do have a date.”
My brows climb. “With who?”
“Nobody you know.”
“Tala told me about the Summer of Jane Hayes,” Heath says as he taste-tests the orzo pasta. “How’s that going?”
“What’s the Summer of Jane Hayes?”
“Nothing,” she says with an innocent smile.
Tala tries to change the subject. “Walker, maybe you could come to the talent show with us tomorrow morning.”
“I already have a commitment.” My eyes shift back to Jane. “What aren’t you telling me?”
Grandma leans forward. “Jane’s just trying to find?—”
“Money!” she interjects. “I’m trying to find money for the community pool. The city budget doesn’t have enough for the build, so I’m going to raise the funds and save the day.”She pumps her fist into the air. “The Summer of Jane Hayes! Yay!” She drops her arm. “Anyway, I don’t want a lot of people to know. It’s weird taking credit for the community pool.”
My brows lower as I watch everyone exchange glances. There’s no way Jane is telling the truth, but it’s obvious I’m not getting any more information out of this group.
“Is that Capri in Tristan Palmer’s boat?” Tala shields her eyes from the glaring sun so she can get a better look out the kitchen window at Tristan helping Capri get out.
“Oh my gosh!” Jane abandons everyone, rushing to the door.
I follow, watching as she runs to Capri and takes one of the grocery bags out of her arms. I swear the two of them are more like sisters than best friends. My gaze shifts to Tristan. I’ve never liked him much, ever since we disagreed over my treatment of Capri when we were in high school.
The girls walk down the dock toward me, whispering something back and forth until they’re right in front of me.
“Hey, Walker.” Capri slips her arm around my waist. I don’t know why, but the whole thing feels unnatural, like we’re just playing the part of siblings. “You came?”
After our text conversation the other night, she probably didn’t want me to come, especially since Jane is here. Wait until she finds out Jane gave me a ride. Then she’ll really be mad.
“It ended up working with my schedule.” I act as if I’m so busy when, really, I’ve never had so much empty time on my hands.
“I had to give him a ride like some hitchhiker on the highway,” Jane jokes, “but I got him here.”
My eyes dart to her, and I love the look she gives me—teasing mixed with flirtation. I smile, liking this new secret language we have with each other.
“You guys came together?” Capri asks with a tone that doesn’t sound all too happy.
“I just needed a ride.” My expression is meant to reassure my sister, but I don’t think it works.
Capri nods a few times, but there’s a bit of a warning glare in her eyes that I’ve never seen from my docile sister before. She’s usually the type to just roll over and take whatever mistreatment comes her way, butwhoa!, don’t mess with her best friend or else she’ll unleash her hidden strength.
