Page 12 of Faking it For Summer

“How are our grandmas?” Luke asks curiously. “And the rest of the Bees?”

“Grandma is fine. She is loving the new book club they started. She told me your nana Bitsy wanted to start a poker night, but she was nervous because, supposedly, Gale has been spending too much money, and the bed-and-breakfast isn’t doing well, and Grandma is nervous Gale will spend every last penny she has, and Wendy and Josie will have a hard time keeping the business afloat. January did a psychic reading on her, and said not to worry ’cause Wendy will save the day and fall in love with some rich, blond-haired dude, though Gale didn’t tell Wendy that because Wendy is not into psychics.” I pause and take a breath. “Bored yet?”

“Could I ever be bored with hearing about all the island gossip?” He winks at me. “You want to watch a movie tonight? I’ve got some work to do, but maybe around eight? We can also discuss our plan.”

“No can do.” I grin at him. “I’m going dancing with the girls at Cocktails & Chaos. I’m hoping Preston will hook us up with some drink specials. And maybe some hot guys as well. Kill two birds with one stone, you know? Help me forget my pain.”

“Hoping to find a date for the wedding that isn’t me?” He stands up and starts walking down a corridor. “Just remember that you want a good guy. Not someone who’s going to steal your wallet.”

“Shut up, Luke.” I glare into the phone as he reminds me of a tourist I met the previous summer and went on two dates with—only for him to steal my wallet as we took a moonlit stroll on the beach. Preston and Benny, one of the bartenders, had to chase him down for me to retrieve it. That was embarrassing. “I have more discerning taste now.”

“I hope so. A crush on my idiot brother and a thief aren’t exactly great indicators.”

“And who are you seeing? Miss Universe? Why don’t you bring her?”

“I’ll have you know, I go on dates.” He smirks. “Plenty of them, in fact.”

“Uh-huh. So, why don’t you take one of them to the wedding?”

“I think not.” He shakes his head vehemently. “The last thing I need is for some woman to think I’m trying to get serious with her just because I invited her to my brother’s wedding.”

“That would be awkward, indeed.” I laugh. “What you need is someone who just gets it. Like me.” I stretch out on my bed. “So, I guess we are doing this then?”

“I think it’s the best idea for both of us.” Luke’s expression changes to one of deep concentration, then ponderance, and then he grins widely. “Pity we can’t seal it with a kiss.”

“Yeah, right.” I stick my tongue out at him, and he laughs. “Neither one of us would want that.”

My heart skips a beat as my eyes flicker to his lips. For a brief second, I wonder what it would be like, kissing Luke, but I immediately banish the thought from my mind.

chapter four

Mia

The sky looks like a painting with its purple, pink, and orange hues. The sand tickles my toes as I make my way down the sandy white beach toward my grandparents’ house for our weekly dinner. I stop to pick up a perfect, pearlescent-hued shell and brush the granules of sand off it. I drop my flip-flops to the ground and make my way to the water, so I can dip my toes in for just a few moments before I continue on my way. The cool water makes me shiver for a few seconds as I watch the sun make its final descent on the horizon. A couple of plops in the water to the right of me has me swiveling my head, and I’m happy to see two dolphins swimming.

Coconut Beach has always felt magical to me, which is one of the reasons why I’ve never thought of leaving the island to live elsewhere. However, there is a part of me that would like to explore other parts of the world. To see what’s out there. Maybe one day. When I’ve got money. Maybe Juniper and I can take a trip somewhere. Or maybe even Luke and me, if he ever takes time off from work.

“Am I crazy?” I call out to a circling pelican, who is looking for scattered food left by tourists on the beach. “Am I making a mistake, trying to pretend like Luke and I are in a relationship?”I speak out loud, then look around me quickly to ensure that nobody is nearby, listening to me talk to myself like a crazy person. I really don’t need word going around the island that Mia Bishop is a nutcase.

“Hey, Mia. Is that you?”

I look behind me and see Wendy in a pair of jogging shorts and a sports bra. Her dark hair is on top of her head, and her face looks sweaty and focused.

“Going for a swim in your clothes?”

“No, just headed to my grandparents’ house for dinner with my brother, Rafe.” I step back from the water and head over to her. “Been jogging?”

“Yeah, trying to stay fit after all our nights partying it up at Cocktails & Chaos.” She wipes her forehead. “Thanks for including me. I know, sometimes, I can be a bit of a grouch when you girls are talking about men.” She smiles ruefully. “I hate that my ex has turned me off of love, but I don’t want to make you girls hate it as well.”

“Your ex sucked and was a fool for dumping you.” I stick my middle finger up in the air. “Screw you, jackass, for dumping Wendy. Mark my words: he will regret it.”

“I know he will.” Wendy nods. “But suffice it to say, right now, I’m just concerned with keeping Seaside Bed-and-Breakfast open.” She looks stressed out. “And trying to get my grandma to spend more time figuring out how to get her spending under control and less time in everyone’s business.”

“Ha-ha, girl. I know what you mean. Those busy Bees are in everything.” I wrap my arm around her shoulders. “I have faith in you. You are more than capable of turning the business around, and I bet you end up meeting a hot guy who will make you forget your ex.”

“I’m not interested, thank you very much.”

“Not even for a hot one-night stand?”