“Everyone, get together.”
My dad tries to make me get in the middle, but I refuse, moving to his other side.
My mouth stays in a straight line, even when Clara says, “Smile!” right before the flash of the phone.
“Okay, now Will and Summer! Let’s go take it outside on the lawn.”
chapter ten
Summer
present day
“Iguess I just feel like ending things with him is the logical next step. I don’t know why I’m so … numb about it. Shouldn’t a breakup make me cry and want to lie in bed with cupcakes, watching Nicholas Sparks movies?” I’m walking along the beach, phone pressed to my ear.
It’s a cloudless day, so the sun is shining right through the clear turquoise water.
“I mean, normally, yes. I’m just worried you’re making this decision out of sadness, not because you want it to really end with him. He’s been distant lately, for sure, but he worries about you. Guys don’t know how to handle this kind of stuff. He thinks you need space to grieve, and that’s why you moved to the island.” Sav is breathing heavily into the phone.
It’s eight a.m. in California, and she’s walking to the yoga studio to teach a class.
“But also, I don’t know. You’ve changed since losing your mom. I miss you like crazy, but I can tell you’re healing. You might have outgrown him. People change, Sum. Axel has been living off of his game-show winnings and trying to make thesurfer thing work. You know he’s coming down there for Marg Fest, right?”
The Margarita Festival is the first kick-off event in Coconut Beach that many locals consider the start of summer. Vendors fly in to sell goods in little tents, and there’s a stage with live music for three days on the beach.
I groan. “I know he is. I’m planning on telling him in person when he gets here.”
Breaking up with Axel is the right decision, but I still feel sad about it. He was the first guy I was in a serious relationship with after my divorce. He’s a fun guy. We get along so well, but I’m realizing now that our relationship may be more platonic than I previously noticed.
“You’re coming too, right?”
“Yes! I can’t wait. I miss you so much. I need some island time. I’ve been working myself to the bone.”
“I miss you too.” My heart squeezes. I’ve missed my best friend, and after breaking it off with Axel, I’m going to need her.
“There’s one more thing I need to tell you.”
“What?”
I sigh, gathering the courage to spill it. “I accidentally sent spicy pictures, wearing lingerie, to Dayton. I’d meant to send them to Axel.” I exhale as soon as the words are out.
She gasps. “You did not! Holy shit, Sum! Youalwaystriple-check the message thread before sending spicy pictures! What did he say?”
“He was here. He came barging into my house, looking like he wanted to … I don’t know what, but he was pissed.” I dig my toes into the sand as a wave washes over my feet and ankles.
“Huh, that’s … interesting. Let me see them.”
I pull the phone back and navigate to the photos. Itriple-checkthat I’m actually texting Sav before hitting the Send button. A few seconds later, she whistles through the phone.
“Hot damn, girl. He doesn’t see you as a stepsister anymore, does he?!”
I cover my eyes with my hand, as if that would make Dayton unsee the pictures. “Look, he never saw me that way to begin with. He’s despised me since day one. I just need to go through this renovation and get back to pretending he doesn’t exist.”
“Is he single?”
“Yes. He said he doesn’t have time for a girlfriend.”
“Ormaybehe’s been hung up on this cutie he met when he was sixteen! Ha-ha.”