Page 126 of Summer Ever After
“No comment.” But I can already feel the hint of a blush forming on my cheeks.
Jane doesn’t even know she’s the reason I won today. Actually, she doesn’t even know how I really feel about her. I’m the idiot who left without saying I love you.
But I can fix that.
As soon as I’m done with all the interviews and photo shoots, I’m chartering a plane back to Florida and taking the first ferry to Sunset Harbor…if it’s running by then.
Because when you finally figure out who you want to spend the rest of your life with, the rest of your life can’t start soon enough.
Jane
I glanceup at the darkening sky. Since the tropical storm last week, we’ve had a lot of rain, and it looks like today will be no different. It’s funny how the weather has mimicked my feelings since Walker left Sunset Harbor. Darkness. Turmoil. Fierce wind. Pounding rain. I’ve felt it all the last week and a half. But there have also been moments of scattered sunshine, where warmth and love from my friends and neighbors have sustained me.
Feelings of sadness and happiness can coexist. I think that’s been the biggest takeaway from this experience.
Mayor Barnes follows my eyes to the sky. “Let’s hope the weather holds up for a few more minutes.”
“I was just thinking the same thing.”
I spent all morning setting up chairs and arranging a giant red ribbon around the property where the new community pool is going to be built. Since we raised enough money from the golf fundraiser, the ribbon-cutting ceremony could go on as planned. After Mayor Barnes gives a short speech, we’ll take some pictures with him and the city council in front of the site, and then he’ll cut the ribbon to kick off the construction process.
The giant backhoe used to dig the pool arrived by boat an hour ago. We had to block off some of the roads to drive itdown the street to where the pool will be built, but now that it’s here, we can get started digging this afternoon.
Besides the city council and the people who work in the city building, the usual islanders showed up for the event. There are probably twenty to thirty people in total. I’d say that’s a pretty good turnout for something like this in the middle of the day with a storm threatening.
Mayor Barnes glances down at his watch. “Should we get started?”
“I think so.” My eyes dart to the sky one last time. “That way, we can get people in and out before the rain comes.”
He heads to the makeshift podium we set up for his speech.
The wind picks up intensity.
He better make his speech quick before we all get soaked.
Walker
The Sunset Harbor ferry crashes into another wave, rocking us back and forth as we make our way to the island. Maybe if it were a calm day, the boat could pick up its speed, but with the whipping wind pushing against the bow, we’re moving at a snail’s pace.
These last few miles have been agonizing. I just want to be there already.
I’ve traveled twelve hours straight to get back to Jane. Now that the phones are working again, I thought about calling her, but what I want to say shouldn’t happen in a phone call. This is a face-to-face conversation. A life momentevery person should experience at least once. I mean, this will be my first time telling someone I love them. I have to make it count.
My cell rings, and I juggle everything I’m holding in my arms to answer. It’s Capri.
“Hey!” My voice sounds alarmingly desperate. “Did you find out where Jane is?”
It’s a random Wednesday. Typically, she’d be at work, but when I called Capri yesterday and told her I was getting on a plane to come confess my love, she said Jane had some community event she’d be at.
I can wait until she gets home from work, or I can meet her where she’s at.
I’ve waited this long. I’m not sure I have it in me to wait a few more hours for her to get home from work.
“Jane is still at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. It just started. Are you on the ferry?”
“Yeah, we’re almost to the island.” My eyes catch the man across from me, staring down the giant check I received from winning the British Open. I watch his eyes go wide as he reads the three-million-dollar payout. I frown, turning the check around. “Are you going to pick me up?”
“Yeah, I’m already at the dock. I see your boat coming in.”
