“No?” Her brows furrow.
“It should be Travis Kemp,” I whisper. “I just have this feeling.”
Gran leans against the counter. “They’ve always just been friends. I asked Fallon about him before, and she said as much.”
“Trust me,” I tell her. “I went on a date with him and?—”
“Wait, what?” Gran gives me a look. “You went on a date?”
I blink up at her. “Uh, yeah. I’m shocked you didn’t know, considering you act like you know everything that happens on the island.”
She turns to her friends. “Did you know?”
Rose is the only one who says yes. They turn to her. “I didn’t know it was gossip!” Rose says with a shrug.
“It’s not,” I tell them. “We’re better as friends. We tried it, and it didn’t work.”
“Add Wendy to the list,” Birdie says. “It’s time.”
“Sorry, Wendy baby,” Gran says. “You’re outvoted.”
I groan and go back to the front counter to restock the tiny shampoos that cost a small fortune.
A few hours later, my phone vibrates. I’m hoping to see it’s from Carter, but it’s not. Why was he the first person I wanted to hear from? This is a question I’m not ready to answer. We’re flinging and crushing, not falling in love.
Josie
Ten days out! Cal confirmed the drinks. Mia’s designing the flyers this week! OMG, Wen. They are so cute! We need to talk about the photo backdrop. Can you ask Carter if he’ll help move the tables from the storage shed? He’s tall and strong, and he’d be doing me a huge favor. Ask him to take his shirt off when he does it.
Wendy
OMG. I’ll ask if he’ll help, but I’m not going to make him undress.
Josie
Ask nicely, and I bet he will. Bat your eyelashes, then text me. I want to see that.
Wendy
You’re terrible.
Josie
He’s hot. I’m actually sad he’s not into younger women.
All I can do is smile, knowing he’s into me, even if it’s temporary.
By six, I’ve crossed everything off my list. Gran’s light is on in the bungalow down below. Guests scatter, and the building settles with the sunset.
I change into some shorts and a tank top. I grab a blanket from the back of the couch and a lighter. Then I slide the letters from Coastal Heritage from the drawer.
There’s a pit about fifty yards from the B&B that’s been there before I was born. My grandfather built it with stacked stones.We used to roast marshmallows here while Gran told silly stories about guests.
The wood I stacked earlier this week is dry, and it catches fast. Flames reach toward the night sky, and smoke drifts into the evening air.
Summer nights are my favorite. I wrap the blanket around my shoulders and sit with my knees pulled up in the double Adirondack chair. The ocean breeze is cool against my bare legs. The fire gives enough heat for me to sit back. The darker it gets, the more stars appear. This is the version of Coconut Beach that I love the most.
Someone walks up behind me, but I don’t turn around.
