Page 54 of Sunset

“My dad took me inside once. I don’t think we were supposed to be there, but you know him, he always pulled favors. We climbed to the top, and I remember looking out over The Island, thinking what an amazing place I got to live. I knew then I would leave to be a chef in a big city, learn everything I could, and then settle back here to raise a family. The storm came through and hit the lighthouse not long after.” He says.

We sit down on one of the benches at the end of the pier and eat our ice cream, while we watch the guys fishing. No matter what time of the day, you can always find someone out here fishing in almost any weather.

“My dad tried to teach me to fish out here once. I wasn’t patient enough.” I laugh.

“My dad always said he’d rather cook it than catch it. But he loved going out on the water, more for the quiet than to fish.” Jasper laughs.

The conversation stays light, as we talk about kids we went to school with, and where they are now.

When we stand to head back to The Inn, I turn to face Main Street and stop to take it in. Pulling out my phone, I snap a picture for The Inn’s social media.

“I’m glad all this will be saved. I can’t imagine all these buildings being torn down for those ugly stores. There would be no reason to come enjoy the view.” I shake my head.

“Well, you and Lin saved it. I’m actually surprised we haven’t heard anything from the mayor about it.” He says.

“You and me both,” I say, as he takes my hand.

He stops me right in the middle of the sidewalk in the middle of downtown.

“Remember this spot?” He asks.

I take a moment and look around. We’re in front of his seafood restaurant on the waterside of the road. Then, it hits me.

“This is where you asked me to prom.” I smile.

“It is. It’s also where I kissed you the second time, and the day you became my girlfriend the first time.” He smiles.

I remember that day. I was hanging out with him and his dad, trying out the new desserts they were thinking of featuring. Then, we came out for a walk, and we stood watching the waves, and I was thinking of our kiss just a week earlier.

Then, out of the blue, he asked me to be his girlfriend, and I said yes, and then he kissed me again. He said that was the best perk of me being his girlfriend, being able to kiss me.

I smile and pull him in for a kiss right there in front of everyone with the sea breeze in my hair, and the sun on my face. He wraps his arms around my waist and kisses me back.

“Best perk of being your girlfriend is being able to kiss you anytime I want,” I smirk, when I pull back.

His whole face lights up with a smile that spreads across his face.

“I have to agree.” He says and pulls me in for another quick kiss, before taking my hand, and we keep walking.

“I love reliving the old memories with you, but I want to make new ones. Lots of new ones that are better than the old ones. I’m not here for a trip down memory lane. I’m here for you.” He says.

“I know, but it’s nice to remember the good times. We had a lot of them.”

“I agree.”

We walk the rest of the way back, just enjoying the sun and each other’s company.

“Is that the mayor’s car?” I ask, pointing to the car parked in the fire lane in front of The Sunrise. A sinking feeling in my gut.

“Yep, guess he was finally notified. Let’s go rescue Lin from the mayor’s hissy fit.” He says.

Chapter 24

Jasper

I follow Brynn into The Sunrise Inn, and the scene in the lobby makes my blood run cold. The mayor isn’t just yelling at Lin, like I expected to find. No, he has her pinned to the wall, his hands on her shoulders, and his face an inch from hers. I’m infuriated and want to break his neck.

Where the hell is Kade?

---