Birdie’s already got her phone out and is scrolling. I grab another plant and shake my head with a snort. I wouldn’t want to get on their bad side.
Birdie thrusts the phone out and shows them. All their heads crowd in to look at the picture on her phone.
Then, Lucille sighs deeply. “In my opinion, I’m extremely disappointed that this is the person you were crying about. He isnotworth crying over.”
January looks at me, dead serious. “You can do much better.”
Someone feigns a cough and mutters, “Cal.”
A memory of water sluicing off his muscular chest while he rides the wave hits me out of nowhere and sends a flash of heat rippling over me.Ugh.
I look at all of them. “Don’t be playing matchmaker. I’m not here for that. This is my vacation this summer. No men. I’m swearing off all men. I have to figure out how to save my family’s company.”
“Women, then?” January asks as she sips her wine.
“No,” I sputter. “I’m getting my life together. One plant at a time.”
“It doesn’t look like it’s going well,” Gale muses over her glass at the plant in question.
“No fun.” January shakes her head in disappointment.
“Well, what should we do tonight, ladies?” Gale asks, examining her nails.
Birdie leans in and whispers loudly, “We could go moon Jonah Black when he brings his boat in.”
They hoot and holler at that idea.
“He’s so grumpy,” one of them mutters. “He can’t get any grumpier.”
Lucille smiles wickedly and says, “Giddy up, sparklefarts. We’ve got fuckery to spread!”
I laugh so hard as all of them set their glasses down and wander off to do whatever nonsense they’re going to do. I feel sorry for Jonah Black and whatever he deserved to get mooned by a bunch of old ladies.
For the first time in a long time, I feel at peace and calm with life.
Even though I can’t get a certain hot bartender out of my mind. Or the fact that I’m still running from my life. At some point, I’m going tohave to go back to New York and face everything. I can only ignore Tyler, my mom, and my sister for so long.
I get cleaned up and go for a run to clear my head. I end up down by the beach and strip down to my new swimsuit and sit in the waves. The warm water feels good, and the waves lapping up on my legs give me something to focus on.
I know one thing for sure. I’m going to figure out what to do about the company. I’m Silverlyn Montclair, and I won’t go down without a fight.
I have no idea what was going through my grandmother’s mind when she left in her will that I could inherit the company if I was married by thirty. She had all sorts of ridiculous stipulations in there as well like I had to behappilymarried. And I had to prove to the trust that it was a legitimate marriage and that I wasn’t faking it.
Where can I find a husband in two months? And convince him to marry me?
If I don’t, I’m out. And then my parents and the board will move on to the contingency plan—the one where my sister can take my place and marry within two months after my thirtieth birthday. Same rules: happily married, no faking, legitimate. They’ll want Belladonna to rescue the company.
Hell no.
8
Cal
I get to Cocktails& Chaos early because the paperwork won’t do itself. And if I don’t get to it before the bar opens, it’ll never get done, and I’ll get even more behind.
Lately, we’ve been slammed, and I’ve barely had time to think. I don’t mind it. Work is easier than downtime, because downtime leaves room for Silvie.
Ever since she got to Coconut Beach, she’s been stuck in my head. I keep telling myself it’s just proximity, small town, same routines, but that’s not it. She’s just… there. Talking to iguanas like they understand her. Falling in with the Bees. Showing up to yoga with Summer every morning like she’s been here all along.
