Page 100 of Summer Ever After
“Yeah, just like we’ve always been. Nothing hurt.”Especially me.
“Just friends.”
I can’t tell if his voice is irritated or hurt or just unaffected.
But I’m the one who needs to be unaffected. “Perfect. I’ll tell Capri she can call off the dogs.”
We’ve defined the relationship and blown up my heart. There’s nothing more to say or do. It’s time to end the conversation and move on.
“Listen, I need to get going, but I’m glad you called and that you’re doing well at your tournament. We’ll all be cheering you on.”
“Do you have a hot date or something you need to get to?”
“Yeah, actually, I do.” I step in front of the bathroom mirror, looking at my reflection. “I’m going on a date with Noah Belacourt. We’re headed out on his yacht.”
“What’s the trope angle on this one? Billionaire romance?”
“No trope angle. I think I’ve learned my lesson the hard way with that. I’m playing this date straight up and just being myself.”
“You never needed the tropes. Yourself is good enough.”
His words are a double-edged sword.
“I guess we’ll find out.” I bite my lip. “Good luck at your tournament.”
“Thanks.”
I end the call and stand in the middle of my bathroom, feeling numb.
Being in love is brutal.
Walker
“Walker!”Dill O’Donnell waves at me as I cross the street. “I saw you on TV last weekend. It looked like you had a pretty good tournament.”
“Yeah, I finished ninth.”
“Can’t complain about that.” He slaps me on the back as we walk toward the town square.
“No, you can’t.”
Mick, Pete, myself…we were all happy to finish the tournament in the top ten. That’s where I started on Saturday, and the fact that I didn’t completely lose my cool and blow my lead by Sunday afternoon was a huge win for me. I’m making strides, which helps build my confidence for the British Open in two weeks.
“You headed to find Jane at the pancake breakfast?” I’m pretty sure Dill suspects Jane and I are a couple after rescuing us when we were stranded on her boat.
But he couldn’t be more wrong.
“No, I’m meeting my sister Tala and her family.”
“I hope they saved you a place in line.” He points up ahead at the crowd of people waiting to get their pancakes. “The Fourth of July bash always has a good turnout.”
“Yeah, I remember.”
“I’m headed to save our spot for the parade.” Dill keeps walking ahead. “Enjoy the festivities.”
“You too.” I shove my hands in my pockets and spin around, looking for Tala and Heath.
“Walker!” Tala sees me first. “Up here. We saved you a spot.”
