Page 66 of Between the Lines

Then my phone rings.

“Jesse, hey . . .”

My heart is beating out of sync.

“Hey,” he says, his voice deep, and there’s a rush of wind as if he’s driving slow. “I know I promised to keep things to myself for as long as possible—”

I squeeze my eyes shut—I don’t like where this is going.

“But your sister just called me, and she wants to throw a midsummer luncheon thing next Saturday. I don’t even know. I think she’s had a few mimosas at brunch . . . Either way, she wants to throw it at the house. Your house.”

Daisy wiggles to get out of her high chair, but I sink to the floor, leaning against the kitchen cabinet.

“Okay, okay . . .” I tap my head, brainstorming. Which is pretty freaking hard when you’re sleep deprived.

“I tried to talk her out of it,” Jesse adds with a sigh, “but you know how she is when she gets an idea.”

He doesn’t have to tell me. I grew up with her.

My phone beeps with another call. When I pull the phone from my ear, Penny’s face beams from my screen.

“Shit, Jesse, she’s calling me now.” I don’t give him a chance to reply. “I’m answering. I’ll update you after.”

I swallow, smiling at Daisy for encouragement, and swipe my screen.

“Hey, Pen!” I greet her enthusiastically. Faint music plays in the background. She’s still on her best friend’s bachelorette trip.

“Fia! I miss you!” Penny yells into the phone. “I wanted to run a fun idea by you.”

I listen as she explains her idea for some elaborate brunch. She’s definitely a few drinks in, though no part of me doubts she won’t remember this idea or this conversation.

“Actually,” I say, quicker than I should, hoping she’s too toasted to notice, “I was hoping we could have a family beach day next weekend. We can bring a picnic and games. It will be like the old days.”

As I come up with the idea on the spot, it actually sounds really nice.

Our nan used to take us to the beach most weekends in the summer and pack lunches, and I’d spend the afternoon collecting seashells with her. Those days are some of the happiest memories I have.

“I was really looking forward to a themed brunch . . .” Penny starts and a bunch of women laugh in the background. “But low-key is great too. Let’s go to the beach. Can you text the guys the plan? We are about to leave the restaurant.”

“You got it!” I reply, more than happy to do so.

We get off the phone, and I send Jesse a text first.

Fia: Crisis averted.

Daisy jams her finger into her ear and I pop up, grabbing her hand, gently pulling it away. It’s time for more medication, poor girl.

I exhale and walk into the living room to grab the medicine, feeling happy about putting out one fire.

But then another one starts. In the form of Caden Brooks.

He’s in the driveway, with another extremely fit guy. Caden’s shirtless with tennis shoes and black shorts that ride up as he jumps through drills in the driveway. Jumping, squatting, sweat glistening off of him as the other guy yells out words of encouragement.

That’s what I’m assuming anyway, I can’t actually hear them, but the guys are definitely having a conversation even though it appears like Caden’s pushing his body to the brink of collapse.

If Daisy and I go outside now, we can’t avoid being seen.

“Let’s wait just a little, honey bunny.” I smile, tickling Daisy’s little belly as I trick her into swallowing her medicine.