Page 18 of Summer Ever After
Never move away from Sunset Harbor.
Be the maid of honor at each of our weddings.
This is a binding document, sealed by our blood. And our signatures.
Jane Hayes
Capri Collins
“Welcome to Sunset Harbor. Population 1,900.”Actually, our population is going to 1,902 in a couple of weeks when Cara Barnes has her twins, but there’s no need to bethatspecific on the city website. I shake my head and keep typing. “Our small island off the west coast of central Florida boasts white sand beaches, a tranquil lifestyle, a friendly atmosphere, and warm, sunny weather.”
I smile to myself as I think about how our island is like a little piece of heaven on earth.
“Sunset Harbor is the perfect place for a vacation when you’re looking to get away and relax.” I speak the words out loud as I type, bobbing my head back and forth as I go. “The island is small enough—four miles top to bottom and half a mile wide with a beach side and a bay side. It’s only accessible by ferry or boat and doesn’t allow cars for transportation. Most people opt to explore the island by bike or golf cart.”
I reread what I just wrote, making a few adjustments. I’m about to type my next paragraph when my cell phone rings.
It’s Capri.
“I was wondering when you’d call,” I say, putting her on speaker.
“I just spoke with Tala and am completely obsessed with the Summer of Jane Hayes.”
“Eh, you shouldn’t be.” I sit back in my chair, abandoning the info page on the Sunset Harbor website. “The plan sucks.”
“Why? She said you went on a date last night with Beau Palmer.”
“A ‘date’ isn’t how I would describe it.”
“What happened?”
“I didn’t fall in love last night.”
I mean, I could’ve when Walker brushed the side of my cheek, but I didn’t, because he’s the wrong guy. He hijacked my date and my tropes.
I’ll just give her the highlights.
“Beau didn’t know it was a date and started talking about how I could help him with the city council. Then, when I told him it was a date, things got awkward.”
“Did you try to ease the awkwardness?”
“Oh, I tried! But it just made things worse.”
I cringe, thinking about the whole choking catastrophe. Or maybe it wasn’t a catastrophe at all. My mind flips to Walker’s arms around me, the strength of his hold, his woodsy scent. Ugh! This is all wrong. I’m supposed to be thinking about Beau’s arms around me.
“I’m sure it wasn’t that bad.”
“I promise you, it was.”
“Well, what did you do?”
