Page 23 of Sunrise

That is actually a really good idea. "Mm, my fans might still not like that one."

"We can say it started today on the beach. You agreed to help me get him back but fell for me instead, and I wanted no part of the Hollywood playboy, and you can spin some sob story about how you have been trying to turn your life around, and it cost you love and blah, blah, blah."

"I'd need to talk to Wren, but that might work," I say, thinking it over.

"Well, I need to talk to Brynn before I agree to anything anyway because this will affect her," she says.

"I agree. She will also need to be the one to collaborate our story."

She nods. "I agree."

Then Ken brings us each out a slice of peach pie warmed with some vanilla ice cream, and she just watches me take my first bite. The warm peach pie mixed with the cold ice cream is a perfect mix.

"I think this is the best pie I've ever had," I admit.

"Martha is a pie genius. She has won several state competitions, and people come from all over for her pies at the bakery. We buy some from her each week, her cakes too for the inn. During the season, they are the first desserts to go. People come in early and place an order for a slice of pie before even before ordering dinner. No matter how many pies we order each night, it's never enough." She smiles, and then digs into her own piece.

After we finish dessert, I turn to her.

"Can I walk you back to the inn?" I ask.

"No, I'm going to find Brynn and talk this over with her. You should go talk to Wren too," she says.

I nod. I know she's right.

As I make my way to my room, I think of what to say before I remember the cell tower is damaged, so I head back downstairs to Lin's office. Before I turn on the light, the view across the way captures my attention. Brynn is sitting at her desk, and Lin is on the couch, and they are both smiling. I wonder if they are talking about me.

When Brynn stands and they leave the office, turning the light off, I know it's time to stop putting off the phone call. I turn on the light and settle at the desk and dial Wren.

"Hello?" he answers.

"Hey, it's Kade. I have an idea to run by you." Then I launch into what Lin and I talked about over dinner.

"Mmm, I like the idea, but I need to run it by Gina. Why don't you call me in the morning, and I'll let you know what she says?"

"Sounds great. I'm going to bed," I tell him as we hang up.

I make my way upstairs and get ready for bed. I take a long shower before changing into sweatpants and a T-shirt, then head out to the balcony to clear my head. Only that's the last thing that happens because I see Lin at the shoreline, and I can't take my eyes off her.

Chapter 11

Linly

Leaving dinner with Kade, I'm still in a bit of shock he was serious about the fake dating. I was completely joking about the wife thing, and I'm not sure how the tables flipped on me. I know Brynn will think I'm joking, and maybe he will wake up tomorrow and blow it all off. Who knows?

I find Brynn in her office and sit down on the soft leather couch. Throwing my head back, I look up at the ceiling before looking at her.

"How was dinner with Mr. Blue?" She wiggles her eyebrows at me.

"He wants me to be his fake girlfriend," I say, and she bursts out laughing. The kind of laughter where she throws her head back, and her whole body shakes. I try to remember the last time I saw her laugh like this, and I can't place it. I'm a horrible best friend, I need to make her laugh like this more. I tuck that away for another day.

"I'm serious," I say, and her eyes fall to my face.

"Shit, you are. Okay, let's get some wine, head to my room, and talk."

She turns off her computer and checks some things on her desk before we head down the hall to her room.

As we enter Brynn's room, I'm hit once again with how different it is from mine. Where my room mirrors the Sunrise Suite and copies most of the details because it was my mom's favorite room, Brynn's room has a more tropical theme with bright, in-your-face colors. The red rug in front of her bed is a stark contrast to the bright blue she painted her bed frame, but it all flows together perfectly. It's completely Brynn.

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