I drop the hamper at the base of the stairs and find her with one of her friends, Mia Bishop. The two of them are sandy, like they just came off the beach. Josie’s hair is in a messy side braid with some strands threaded with beads and small shells. Mia has her camera bag slung over one shoulder and enough bangles on her wrists to set off a metal detector. She co-owns a mobile bookstore with her roommate, Juniper. They sell romance books out of a mint-green VW van they converted to be a mobile bookstore. Mia also does face paintings at the beach and takes photos on the side. She’s a little entrepreneur, but so is my sister.
They’re both holding large iced coffees from Salty Sirens, the coffee shop on Main Street. Josie slides one across the counter toward me, and I instantly light up. I love knowing someone is thinking about me. It doesn’t happen often.
“I thought you might need this,” my sister says.
“You spoil me,” I say. “Thank you. I needa lotof things. A million dollars would be nice.” I happily take it because turning down caffeine in my current state is the type of negativity I don’t need in my life. Ever. “Where have you two been?”
“Had a beach day. Mia was taking pics of the new releases for Instagram, and I modeled.” Josie hops up onto the counter, barefeet swinging. “I also sold three necklaces to tourists on the way back.”
“She made thirty bucks and treated us to liquid caffeine. It’s nice, having rich friends,” Mia adds, holding up her cup for a toast. “Josie’s basically stimulating the economy.”
“Appreciate and respect your hustle,” I say, and Mia grins. “But speaking of the economy …” I pull up the spreadsheet and turn the laptop so they can see. “I noticed two more comps in the system this morning. That’s five free nights so far for June, and it’s only the first.”
Josie shakes her head. “Gran is out of control these days.”
Mia leans over the counter to look. “Who’s she giving free rooms to?”
“The Bees.” That’s what Gran’s friend group calls themselves. They’re all over the age of sixty, and they think they know what’s best for this town. “They can’t keep treating this place like a time-share.” I push the laptop back and shake my head. “I’ve walked her through the numbers several times over the past month. She keeps telling me the universe will handle it and to stop stressing.”
“The universedoesn’tpay electric bills,” Mia says.
“That’s exactly what I said. You get it.”
Josie nudges my shoulder, and I know what’s coming. Sometimes, she’s as woo as our grandma. “But the universe will handle it. She’s not wrong. And on top of that, I believe in you. If anyone can save the B&B, it’s you, sis. It’s like you were born for this. Especially with your degrees and all of that experience you have from the W.”
“I can’t guarantee anything,” I explain. “It’s like gambling. There is a risk involved. But what if I can’t save this place, Josie? What if we lose it?”
“We won’t. That can’t happen. I know you won’t allow it,” she says. “It’s acome hell or high watersituation.”
“But—”
“No buts,” she says.
Josie is twenty-six and has looked up to me her entire life. She didn’t doubt me when she was ten and I taught her how to surf or when I handled a school bully for her. My sister has so much confidence in me, and I don’t want to let her down, but she doesn’t realize how bad it really is. I feel like I’m the only one who truly understands, and it’s maddening. The silent stress is unreal.
Not too long ago, I called my parents, who are currently living in Canada because it was their lifelong dream, and asked them what to do. My mom told me to follow my heart. It’s why I’m here. My conscience wouldn’t allow me to stay in California, and I gave up everything to be here—my job and my five-year relationship.
My phone buzzes, and my eyes snap to the screen to read the preview. Josie’s and Mia’s do too.
Adam
I miss you so damn much, Wen. I’ve been thinking about us. Can we talk, please?
Adam is my ex. Before he was my boyfriend, he was my boss. When I was promoted to management, he reached out, and after two months of sneaking around and hooking up, we made it official. I thought he was my future. I was so damn wrong.
Once I explained what was happening with my grandmother’s business in Coconut Beach and how I wanted to try long distance, he broke up with me. There was no discussion. He let me walk away, after everything we’d been through to stay together. I’d have done anything for him, but he was done with me. The thought makes me sick.
“Don’t reply,” Josie whispers, reaching forward to lock my phone. “Fuck that guy.”
Mia shakes her head. “Block him. Don’t even give him the opportunity to text you.”
I flip the phone screen down. “Neither of you has anything to worry about. I’m not giving him a second chance.”
“And you know why? It’s because you’re chunky guac with onions, tomatoes, and jalapeños, baby. You are not free salsa,” Josie reminds me.
“If only men actually treated me that way.”
“One day, someone will enter your life and treat you like a princess,” Josie says. “I promise.”
