Page 5 of Summer Ever After
I throw back my head, taking a big gulp. The force is a little too much, causing water to spill out the sides and douse my shirt.
I’m off to a rough start.
But I’m off—desperation and patheticness tagging along for the ride.
Jane
Fifteen Years Ago
7th Grade
Dear Diary,
I’m sorry I haven’t written in forever. School started a few weeks ago. I can’t believe I’m in seventh grade! My classes aren’t as fun as last year, people-wise. But boy-wise, this year is off to a good start! A new family moved in—the Collins. They have a girl my age named Capri. I saw her readingTwilightat lunch and knew she was someone I wanted to be friends with. I walked right up to her and said hi, and we’ve been hanging out every day since.
Capri’s older brother, Walker, is in eighth grade. He’s sooooooo cute. I don’t know what exactly I like about him (other than being totally hot). He just has this way with me…or maybe with every girl. I don’t know, but he makes me laugh. Maybe he thinks I’m an airhead, or maybe he just thinks I’m his little sister’s friend. Or maybe he never thinks about me. Who knows?
I haven’t told Capri that I like her brother. I think it would hurt her feelings because she says girls at school use her to get close to him. I’m totally not using her! I love Capri. We have the exact same interests, like reading romance books, watching romance movies, going tothe beach, and shopping. She’s like my best friend. So, I’ll just keep my crush on her brother to myself.
I can’t wait to be in love someday. I’ll find a guy who loves me and will dance in the rain with me. And everybody will say, ‘I have never seen a couple so in love.’ We’ll be perfect for each other. I just know it.
Jane
DidI go overboard for my date tonight?
Define overboard.
I glance down at my fitted dress, which is a little more low-cut and mini-cut than I typically wear. There’s a perky line of cleavage—at least from my angle—I’m proud of, and my legs are bronzed from spending a few hours in the sun earlier today.
I’m killin’ it.
The Summer of Jane Hayes is in motion, and Beau Palmer isn’t going to know what hit him.
This is where Beau becomes attracted to me, wants to date me, kiss me, and eventually marry me. My little black cocktail dress evokes those kinds of feelings.
Happily Ever After starts tonight.
I split my long brown hair in half, fluffing strands of loose curls over each shoulder as I wait for Beau at our table. Beach Break Bar and Grill is packed with locals and day travelers finishing off their weekend right. It’s live music night, which is always a treat. Mo and the Kokomos’s second-rate version of Bob Marley’s “Jammin’” has people singing along and bobbing their heads. I fix my menu so it’s square with the edge of the table, then I shift the knife across from me so it’s not pointed in my direction—just keeping busy.
Maybe I should use this extra time to review the list oftropes I made earlier today. I also made a list of available single men on the island. There’s nothing wrong with being organized. I dig through my purse, finding the pink papers. I wasn’t trying to print the lists in the color of love—I’m notthatcrazy. I’d made baby shower invitations for Mayor Barne’s daughter and forgot to switch out the paper, that’s all. But the pink is kind of fitting.
A slight smile touches my lips as I read each trope and micro-trope, reminding myself all that I love about love. Reading this, my Summer of Jane Hayes plan doesn’t seem so far-fetched. This can totally happen.
I shove the papers back in my purse and fix my hair again.
My back is to the door, but I hear Beau’s voice greeting people as he walks into the beachside bar. I turn over my shoulder with a dazzling smile and stop—my breath stalled from surprise.
Beau wore his navy police uniform. To a date. Making me entirely overdressed.
My brows drop, and then I remember that a man in uniform is totally a thing. I can work with this, so I perk back up, dazzling smile and all.
The crowded tables and barstools act like a maze as he walks across the restaurant. I take a moment to study him—no,check him outlike any other woman would do if she hadn’t been friends with him her whole life.
It’s a good package. Notpackage.Jeez.
I’m saying Beau Palmer is thecompletepackage. He’s tall. Friendly face. Nice smile. Light-brown hair. What’s not to like?
I just have to pretend I don’t remember the one time during kindergarten recess when Beau had peed his pants.
