A faint smile touched Alice’s mouth. “Ah, so a young love.”
“Exactly. They hid out in a cave by the lake for a month before coming home. There’s more to the story. I don’t have it all figured out. I don’t know why they cut their plannedescape short. Or what happened to the engagement her family had planned. Or how she ended up with Great-Grandpa. But I’ll keep going, until I uncover it all.”
“Oh, I know you will, honey,” Alice whispered. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Gram.”
Now that the formal part of the night was finished, someone turned the music up. Kids darted between camp chairs with glow sticks, like the fireflies that flitted in the tall grass at the edge of the clearing. The air smelled like citronella, lake water, and grilled something from a portable barbecue.
“Okay!” Elsie shouted over the din. “Who wants a cocktail?”
Krista turned—and laughed.
Madison and Cassidy were hauling over crates from the Hideaway filled with tequila, hot honey syrup, shakers, citrus, salt. They’d brought the bar to the beach.
Krista climbed back onto the stage and cupped her hands around her mouth. “Hot Honey Margaritas on the house!”
That earned the loudest cheer of the night.
Beside her, Joe leaned close, his shoulder brushing hers. “You sure you want to promise that? That’s a lot of cocktails.”
She looked up at him. The fairy lights caught in his brown eyes, turning them molten. “It’s the least I can do,” she said.
Joe’s mouth tipped into a smile, but his gaze stayed steady. “Alright then. Tell me what you need—salt rims, limes, shaker duty. I’ve got you.”
Something in her chest loosened. “Yeah?”
“Yeah,” he said, voice low. “Always.”
THIRTY-FOUR
JOE
Tuesday, Day Five of the Summer Swap: The Last Day
The front door clicked shut behind them. The townhouse fell into a golden, blissful silence.
Kit had a surprise visit from her ex, Rachel, and was spending the night at her place. The swap was officially over. Even Elsie was content. They weren’t needed by anyone.
Except each other.
Krista kicked off her shoes. “Ah, home sweet home.”
Joe dropped his camera bag gently by the table. “Want me to pour you a glass of wine? Draw you a bath?”
“Actually,” she said, voice dipping mischievously. “I was thinking there might be another way to unwind…”
Joe raised a brow. “Is that so?”
Her eyes gleamed. “Give me ten minutes. Make yourself comfortable.”
She disappeared down the hall, leaving him standing in the soft-lit living room.
When Krista returned, he felt suddenly light-headed.
She stood in the doorway in a black mini dress, heels that did obscene things to her legs.
“About that photoshoot,” she said slowly. “I’ve been thinking about it…”
