Chapter One
ELI
My life philosophy was simple—ifyou couldn’t fix it with duct tape or solve it with a beer, you were probably overthinking it. I was currently working on the latter as I studied my little brother Braden. The way he served drinks, with that easy smile and a wink here and there, was like watching a magician pull rabbits from a hat. I leaned back in my chair, soaking in the buzz of Tropical Hops around me. The cheerful pale turquoise walls, the laughter spilling from the bar, and the clinking of glasses personified Dove Key in the lower Florida Keys on a Friday night.
Braden’s eyes flicked to me and caught my upraised fingers, a signal for two beers. He nodded and withdrew two pint glasses from the freezer. As he expertly poured them from the tap, I rolled my head around on my neck. I dragged a hand through my messy dark-blond hair, which was still stiff from saltwater. The day had been long, filled with the usual ups and downs of running the dive shop and lining up scuba classes, and I hadn’t had time for my usualpost-dive shower at the shop. But now, as I sat at a relatively quiet table, surrounded by the familiar sights and sounds of Braden’s brewpub, it was time to relax.
Chase Ashworth strode through the door, his face drawn tight with an interesting mix of fatigue and exasperation. His normally neat dark-brown hair was tousled, and the crispness of his button-down shirt and slacks seemed at odds with the expression on his face. But the moment he spotted Braden heading our way and carrying two frosty mugs of beer, a flicker of hope danced across his features.
“Thank God for small miracles,” he muttered, collapsing into the chair across from me.
“Rough day?” I asked, leaning forward with a grin that threatened to widen. Chase and I had been best buddies since we were kids, a friendship that had held steady into our mid-thirties.
“More like a rough week. Lacey is driving me insane with her wedding plans—or lack thereof.” He scrubbed a hand over his face, his hazel eyes narrowing. “She’s got less than three months, Eli! And she hasn’t even picked a venue yet.”
“Maybe she thinks a tropical beach wedding is too cliché,” I teased, raising an eyebrow. Chase’s sister was thrilled about her upcoming nuptials but not known for her solid planning. Hence, her penchant for turning to her big brother.
“Yeah, well, if she keeps this up, I’m going to need more than a beer,” he grumbled, but a hint of a smile tugged at his lips.
Braden set down the beers with a flourish. “Two cold ones for my favorite professional man and the king of carefree living. I’ll leave it to you two to decide who is who.”
“Thanks, brother.” I lifted my glass in a toast.
After saluting with two fingers, he returned to the bar.
“At least you dodged groomsman duties,” I said to Chase, trying to lighten the mood, then took a sip of Braden’s latest IPA—cold and hoppy, perfect to wash away the last remnants of the workday. I had to admit he’d found his calling.
“Thank God, but I still have to listen to her whine about color palettes and floral arrangements.” Chase groaned, his expression helplessly perplexed. “I have no idea why she even asks me for input.”
“Just tell her you think white clashes with the whole tropical paradise vibe. That should keep her busy for a while.”
“Oh, sure. I’d just throw fuel onto the fire.” He shook his head but was unable to suppress a laugh. “I can picture it now. Lacey in a frenzy over my so-called fashion advice.”
“Hey, look on the bright side,” I continued, leaning back in my chair. “At least you won’t be stuck in an ill-fitting suit sweating bullets while trying to keep a smile pasted on.”
“Right? Small victories.” He took a sip of his beer, and the tension from earlier ebbed away, replaced by the casual camaraderie we always shared.
“Just remember, if things get too overwhelming, I’m always here to distract you with tales of my thrilling life as a beach bum.” I rested my chin in my palm, feigning a dreamy expression. “Today, I swam with gorgeous tropical fish and caught some rays. Oh wait, that’s every day.”
Chase laughed. “Sounds about right. While I’m stuck in the land of spreadsheets and architectural renderings, you’re out there living the dream.”
“Someone’s got to keep the Coleridge legacy alive,” I shot back. Beneath the banter, though, a flash of unease seized me. It was easy to joke about my relaxed life, but under the surface, the weight of expectations alwaysloomed large. We Coleridges were a large clan. I had five brothers and sisters, and our slightly ramshackle resort had been an anchor in Dove Key for well over a century.
Behind Chase, the door swung open, and my sister Harper walked in. Her chestnut hair danced around her shoulders, though tension coiled in her tight shoulders and the furrow between her brows. At thirty-four, she was a year younger than me. When she spotted us, she gave us a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.
I waved to her. “Come on over. You look in need of a beer too.” I signaled Braden again as Harper dropped onto the chair next to Chase.
“Hey, you two,” she said. “I’m not crashing some private boy talk here, am I?”
“Nah,” I replied. “You’re a welcome distraction from Chase’s constant bitching.”
“Up yours,” he said mildly before taking a drink.
I grinned as Braden set a frosty beer in front of her.
“Here you go, sis. Just what you need after a long day.”
“Thanks, Braden. Isn’t that the truth.” She took a sip, and I could almost see the weight of the resort’s financial struggles settling onto her shoulders like a heavy winter coat.
