Chapter Seventeen
ELI
The warm eveningwrapped around me as I leaned back in my chair, letting the humid air settle into my bones. A gecko chirped from its perch on the wooden fence of my courtyard, casting a shadow that danced along the wood. I swirled the amber liquid in my pint glass, pretending to focus on Chase while my mind wandered off somewhere much more intriguing. Yesterday, Jules had popped into the dive shop while I was alone to ask if I wanted to go for another dive. Her voice had been sweet and inviting. But that wasn’t all it promised.
“Eli, I’ve got a lot of ideas for the renovation.” Chase’s voice registered dimly. “I think we can really make the place shine.”
“Uh-huh,” I murmured, trying to sound engaged. “Time to get those new beach umbrellas in, right?”
“Exactly!” Chase’s enthusiasm surged as he leaned forward and set his beer down next to the growler I’dbrought home from Tropical Hops. “We could increase the outdoor seating, maybe even add some cabanas?—”
“Chase,” I interrupted, not quite able to contain my grin, “that brings up images of South Beach and the whole Miami party scene. Yuck.”
“No! It’s all in how you design it.” I always got a kick out of how excited he could get about buildings. “Besides, imagine the Instagram potential.”
“Right. It’s all about the Insta.” I took a long swig of Braden’s latest IPA, savoring the hoppy bitterness, but couldn’t stop my thoughts from slipping back to Jules and the way her hair was so silky and soft, how the glint in her eyes made my heart beat faster than any dive encounter ever could.
“Are you even listening?” Chase huffed, crossing his arms.
“Of course! Totally focused on your brilliant ideas for cabanas.” I gestured dramatically, adding, “Tell me more about how you’re going to revolutionize beach lounging.”
“Okay, clown.” He shook his head, but there was warmth in his tone. “Glad to hear it. I need your input here.”
“Don’t worry. I got you.” I waved him off, though I felt a tug of guilt at my inability to pay attention. The gecko was still chirping, and my gaze drifted into the shadows beyond my courtyard, where the tropical plants swayed with secrets. Chase’s voice faded into the background as he passionately discussed an idea he had—something about new flooring and energy-efficient lighting. But all I could hear was Jules whispering my name.
Chase paused mid-sentence, his brow furrowed. “Eli, are you okay?”
I shook my head, forcing a grin. “Yeah, just… this heat wave we’re having, man. It’s like an oven out here.” I lifted my beer, taking a sip that didn’t do anything to cool the warmth pooling in my chest.
“Right.” He raised an eyebrow. “And your dreamy smile? That’s definitely a side effect of the humidity. This about Jules?”
“That’s bullshit.” I tried to sound dismissive, but the corners of my mouth betrayed me, twitching upward. I could almost feel the warmth of her skin against mine. Dammit.
“Seriously. You’re as subtle as a brick to the face.” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. “What’s going on?”
I sighed. My best friend was a lot of things. Stupid wasn’t one of them. “Okay, fine. It’s Jules.”
“Ahhh. Has something changed between you guys? Lacey told me Jules was finishing her class.”
“Yeah, you could say that.”
“Spill. Clearly, we’re not going to talk about the reno.”
“We’ve been seeing each other… like every night since her checkout last weekend.”
Going on two weeks now. Two weeks that had confirmed that our first day and night together hadn’t been a fluke. We fit together like a lock and key.
“Every night? That’s some serious commitment for you,” he teased, but there was concern there too.
“It’s more intense than I expected.” I stared into my beer, swirling the golden liquid around. “I feel like I’m stuck in this whirlwind, and part of me is worried about getting swept under. But the other part? The other part wants to dive right in.”
He laughed, then his expression shifted as he sensed my unease. “What’s really bothering you?”
I set my glass down, but now my hands were fidgety. I twirled my thumbs. “Well, it’s not just the romance. I had this nightmare last night. Mom found out about us, and she flipped out. Like, forced me to fire Jules.” When I described it out loud, it sounded stupid. But I’d woken up with the blankets wrapped around my legs tight and breathing hard. The only positive was I hadn’t disturbed Jules, who lay in blissful sleep beside me.
“Yikes.” Chase’s eyes widened slightly. “Did she at least give her a severance package?”
“Very funny.” I grinned, but the humor felt thin. “It felt so real. I woke up sweating, thinking I’d lost something before I even had it. I was super relieved to see Jules next to me, oblivious and sleeping. I mean, what if Mom does find out?”
