Page 143 of Faking it For Summer
“So, how long is Luke going to be surfing for? I thought he was bringing us lunch.” Juniper looks at her watch.
“It’s not like I can call him. He’s in the ocean.”
“I know, and I’m so happy for you. You guys are so in love.” Juniper’s eyes glaze over. “I’ve never seen two people more ridiculously in love in my life.”
“Yeah, well, I’m trying not to throw it in your face or anything, Juni.”
“You don’t. Don’t make me slap you.” She laughs. “Joking. I’m joking. I would never slap you, but I’m happy that you’re happy. And also, I kind of saw this coming a long time ago.”
“What do you mean, you saw this coming? Are you psychic or something?”
“No, but you forget that I met you guys at a time in life where I was able to see that Luke had a thing for you, and you were always going on about him and about how great he was, and I was like,These two are going to end up together. They just don’t know it yet.”
“Did you really think that?”
She nods. “Why do you think you never found a serious boyfriend, and you went after tourists and surfers and never really dated or did anything with them? Because it was always Luke. It was always Luke, Mia. You just didn’t realize it yet, butyou guys were practically in a relationship anyway. You were always on the phone, chatting, and it was like he lived here even though he was in New York. But it’s so much better that he’s here now. You love him.”
“I do.”
“Did I hear my name?”
A low growl sounds next to me, and I turn to see Luke standing there in his wetsuit. He’s already started to peel it down. I run over to him and jump into his arms.
“Shoots, you’re so wet,” I say as I get ocean water all over my sweater and jeans.
“Well, you knew I just got out of the water,” he says as he spins me around and gives me a big kiss. “Hey, beautiful.”
“Hey, handsome. How are the waves?” I ask him.
“Pretty gnarly.” He grins. “It was fun. You know, you’ve got to let me show you how to surf sometime.”
“Yeah, when I’m one hundred percent guaranteed to not encounter any sharks, I will let you take me out to surf.”
“So, that’s never then?”
“Yeah, that’s never.”
“Okay then. Hey, Juniper.” He holds up a hand. “I would give you a hug as well, but I don’t want to get you wet.”
“Thank you, because I don’t really want to get all salty wet either.” She grins. “So, we’re all going to play board games this weekend?”
“Yeah. I invited Rafe, Wendy and Carter, Gigi and Davis, Louisa and Preston, and we’re all going to play charades and whatever other board games I can get. I think it’ll be fun. We’re going to grill steaks and some burgers, and Mia said she’s going to make a potato salad and an apple pie.”
“Mia, you’re cooking?” Juniper looks shocked.
“What? So, I’m a little domesticated now. I do it for my man.”
“Really?” Luke tilts his head to the side. “You’re making potato salad and apple pie for me, even though I don’t really like potato salad, and I requested twice-baked potatoes?”
“Hey, you’ll like this potato salad. I promise.”
He kisses me on the tip of the nose. “I like and love everything you make, so I’m sure you’re right.”
“Oh my gosh. Gag me with a knife,” Juniper says, laughing loudly. “Why are you two so sickly-sweet?”
“Maybe because we’re in love.”
“I guess so. Remind me when I fall in love not to act like this,” she says, smiling at me. “That is, if I ever fall in love, because it seems like there’s no man on this island who is mature enough to date a woman like me.”
