Page 75 of Summer Ever After
“Engagement photos?” A laugh sputters out. “What are you talking about?”
“Before prom, you went to the beach and had a wholephotoshoot taken together.” I wanted to stab Olive’s eyes out in every picture of the two of them.
“That didnothappen.”
“Oh my gosh! Yes, it did. I saw the pictures.”
He splashes me before swimming to the back of the boat. “I think your memory embellishes the details a little bit.”
“And I thinkyourmemory leaves out the details. Ask your sister about your engagement photos. She’ll know exactly what I’m talking about.”
I swim to the back of the boat too, just as Walker pulls himself up. It’s the most beautiful site I’ve ever seen. Glistening arm muscles. Drops of water rolling down the space between his shoulder blades. This moment is worth the price of admission—orsubmersion.
He kneels on the swim platform, reaching his hand out to help me up. I think about not taking it, but what would be the fun in that? My fingers slip into his, and with little effort, he pulls me out of the water, drawing my body to his. He doesn’t drop my hand, just keeps it in his. We’re kneeling together on the back of the boat, wet bodies barely an inch apart. Attraction rushes through me, buzzing through every pulse.
Gleaming blue eyes look into mine. “For the record, Jane, it’s more than a game with you.”
Despite that beingexactlywhat I want to hear, I push Walker’s chest, sending him plunging back into the water again.
Walker
Janeand I sprawl out on the seat cushions in the middle of the boat. We converted the chairs into a flatbed so we could spread the picnic food between us.
“That was delicious,” I say, rubbing my stomach where the sandwich and chips now reside. “Thanks.”
Jane starts gathering things up. “You can thank Phoenix Park.”
There’s an edge of bitterness to her voice that usually isn’t there. “So, who’s next on your list? Tristan Palmer?” My stomach coils with jealousy from just mentioning her with another guy.
“Tristan’s been hanging out with Capri. He’s not an option.”
I feel a little relieved until I remember if it’s not Tristan, it’s just going to be someone else.
“You know, I think I’m done with this whole dating thing.” She shoves the food back into the cooler, her movements getting more aggressive as she talks. “My whole life is make-believe. Cat’s right. These tropes are just plot devices for books. They’re not real. They aren’t going to lead to my happily ever after.”
My heart sinks with each word she says. I mean, I agreewith what she’s saying, but that’s me—negativity rules my mind.
She stops cleaning and snaps her eyes to me. “You were right to call me Pollyanna. I’m blindly optimistic to the point of being naive.”
Oh, I’m such a jerk.
My shoulders drop, and my stomach fills with guilt. “I didn’t mean it in a bad way. I like how you always look on the bright side. It’s one of your best qualities. It was supposed to be a compliment.”
“No, you’re right. I’ve just been too stupid to see it. For years, I thought people who spouted off phrases like ‘Toxic Positivity’ just made that up to justify their negative thoughts and pessimistic belief systems. But I see it now. I’m the poster child for toxic positivity.” A small laugh drifts out with her breath. “I think it’s because I carry little to no emotional baggage from my childhood. Like you said, my family life was idyllic.”
My expression drops into a grimace. “Did I say that?”
“Yeah, after the coed softball game. You said I grew up in the easiest family dynamic ever, and you’re right. I blame my parents' unconditional love for why I can’t live in the real world. I’ve always been taken care of, had confidence, rolled with the punches of life, been happy. But it’s that unwavering happiness that’s ruined me. What I thought was a good thing about my personality is actually my downfall.”
“Jane”—I dramatically shake my head—“don’t listen to anything I said. I’m messed up and extremely unhappy. That’s a recipe for very bad advice.”
She forces a fake smile that doesn’t match her usually sunny disposition. “No, it’s fine. I’m glad I recognize this now instead of ten years from now when I’m still single and not sure why. I’ve been living in fantasyland ever since I waslittle, and it’s time I grow up and face the harsh realities of life.”
I feel awful.
My stupid outlook on life has rubbed off on Jane. I’ve dimmed the brightest light there ever was, and I’ve never hated myself more.
I have to fix this—whatever it takes.
