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“Thanks.”
“I really need to come to Blueberry Bay soon,” Caitlin said, propping her feet up on the coffee table. “I definitely need some fresh sea air and sunshine.”
“You definitely should. It’s gorgeous right now. Warm, but the breeze really helps,” Alissa said. “You and Pearl should come! Pearl would love it here. Maybe you could stay for a little while.”
Caitlin smiled. “I love that idea. And Pearl would love it too.”
* * *
The warm, salty breeze coming in from the water made it all the way to The Outlet’s offices, coming through the windows that Alissa had thrown open earlier. It added to the atmosphere the luau was spreading across the entire town. Businesses were decorating their windows and doors, and some were even playing music.
Alissa had decorated the inside of the office already, but the outside was still looking plain. She and Josie had armfuls of streamers, flower-shaped string lights, and leis to make the outside just as festive as the inside.
“Could you hand me a little more tape, please?” Alissa asked Josie. “These streamers might fall in the breeze.”
“Sure thing.” Josie handed her the tape from her spot next to Alissa’s ladder.
Alissa secured the streamers above the door and hopped off the ladder to take a look. It was bright and colorful, but it still needed more.
“Ready for the lights?” Alissa asked, picking up the box. She pulled them out, stretching the wire between them. “These are so cute. I’m glad you found them.”
Each light was shaped like a hibiscus flower in a different color. Once they were on, they would match the streamers and make all the other decorations more eye-catching.
“They were a steal too.” Josie took one end of the lights and helped Alissa pull them out. “That website I found seriously helped.”
Alissa wasn’t surprised that Josie had found something like this. She was great at solving almost any problem thrown her way.
Alissa got up on the ladder again, a removable hook in hand. She looked over her shoulder at Josie as she positioned it, a question in her eyes.
“It’s a little uneven. Can you lift it a little higher?” Josie stepped back to get a better look.
“Like this?” Alissa lifted the hook.
“Perfect.”
Alissa pressed it into place, then did the same on the other side of the door. They had to wait for a few minutes for the adhesive to cure, so they stepped back toward the parking lot to take the whole scene in. Alissa was almost sad that they’d have to take it all down eventually, but she pushed that thought aside. She didn’t have to think about it ending—she could enjoy it right now while it lasted.
“I’m so excited,” Alissa said. “Thank you for helping Dane with his dance moves. The way he showed me was so sweet and perfect.”
The memory still made her heart flutter. After he finished showing off his moves, they ate dinner together, a preview of the Hawaiian burger that The Crab was going to serve during the luau. It was delicious and Alissa couldn’t wait to have another one. They had talked late into the evening until Hannah started to close out the restaurant. After, they’d walked on the beach holding hands until they were both too sleepy to continue.
“That’s what he was hoping for. I was happy to help him out.” Josie grinned. “He worked so hard on getting it right.”
“He did an amazing job.” Alissa tucked her hands into the pockets of her linen t-shirt dress. “I was a little concerned, though. But it was all worth it in the end.”
“I’m happy to hear it.”
They stood in comfortable silence for a few moments, which Alissa savored. She almost felt silly for worrying about whether Dane and Josie were involved. Josie was becoming one of her good friends. She wouldn’t have done anything to hurt her or Dane.
“Speaking of the luau, are you going with anyone?”
“Nope, just me.” Josie shrugged. “Everyone’s going, so I’m sure I’ll find people to hang out with. You and Dane included.”
“Michael is available.” Alissa gently nudged Josie with her elbow and smiled.
Josie laughed, playing with the charm bracelet she was wearing. “Thanks, but no thanks. I’m fine being single for now. The luau will be fun either way.”
Alissa grinned, the future bright ahead of her. “Yeah, it will be.”
