Page 70 of Summer Ever After
“Oooh, thatisan unpopular opinion. Everyone else likes the winning golfer who gives a big fist pump when the ball falls into the hole for an eagle.”
“You can still be that guy again. You have nowhere to go but up.” I sit taller, bursting with positivity. “And when you win the golf fundraiser in a few weeks, you’ll be able to show everybody how hard you’ve been working and how far you’ve come.”
“Gosh, you’re kind of a cocky partner—already assuming we’re going to win.”
“I think everybody assumesyou’regoing to win. No one has any thoughts about me as your partner.”
“I do.” He pauses for dramatic effect, letting his words work their magic. “I guess that’s one good thing about where I’m at in life. Coming to Sunset Harbor has given me a chance to reconnect with you.”
Oh, there goes Walker’s flirtatious smile. I knew it was only a matter of time until he whipped it out again.
“We neverconnectedin the first place, so technically, we can’treconnect.”
“Are you sure? Because since I arrived, I’ve singlehandedly made you my confidant by telling you stuff I’ve never told anyone else.”
“That’s a lot of pressure,” I joke. “I’m not sure I’m comfortable with that role in your life.”
Walker’s tone turns low and sultry. “Is there a different role you’d be more comfortable with?”
“My goodness!” I shake my head, laughing. “You are a terrible flirt.”
“And here I thought I was good at it.”
His cocky smile makes a mess of my heart, and that’s when I know I have to leave, or I won’t make it out alive. I grab my purse and stand.
“Oh, don’t leave!” he whines. “I was just joking. I promise I won’t flirt with you any more.”
“You’re not even capable of keeping that promise.” I sling my purse strap over my shoulder. “But even if you were, I would still have to go. I told Capri I’d stop by tonight and say goodbye before she leaves town tomorrow morning.”
“So you’re choosing my sister over me?”
His words steal my breath for one quick second.
But I meet his sparkling blue eyes with the one truth I’ve known my whole life. “I’ll always choose Capri over you.”
Jane
The sun bakes my skin,reflecting off the tanning oil I just rubbed all over my body.
“Hmmm.” I draw in a relaxing breath, keeping my eyes closed as I talk. “This is exactly what I needed from my Saturday afternoon. I’m glad we could make this happen.”
“Same,” Cat muses from the lounge chair next to mine.
“Me too,” Ivy agrees. “It’s just what the doctor ordered after the week I’ve had.”
I pop my head up, looking at Ivy Brooks. Her naturally curly hair is splayed out around her as she soaks up sunrays in my backyard. Normally, she wouldn’t even be on the island, but extenuating circumstances have kept her here longer than expected, and I’m happy for it.
A teasing smile cracks over my lips. “Ivy, I’m surprised you were able to get work off to join us today.”
“Quiet, you.” She opens her eyes and throws her beach towel at me. “Now give that back so I can use it as my pillow when I flip to my stomach.”
“Jane, I’m surprised you don’t have a date this afternoon,” Cat deadpans. “Have you already exhausted all the men on this island?”
“Ugh!” I toss Ivy’s towel to her before leaning back and closing my eyes again. “I’m sick of men.”
“Amen!” Cat says.
“I mean, how many guys have I asked out in the last two weeks?”
