Page 107 of After You Returned

I point to Scarlett. “She’s right there.”

Sadie elbows me. “I meant you. Ms. I Will Have My Own Business, I Don’t Care What Anyone Says.”

I shrug. “I don’t own my business anymore. I officially start atHideaway Haven Resorton Monday.”

I can’t make up my mind how to feel about my new job. Excited? Sure. I won’t get the chance to work with NFL players with any other job. Sad? That too. I’m going to miss my cute little practice.

Scarlett wraps an arm around my shoulders. “I’m proud of you. You didn’t give up on your dream to be a physical therapist. Trust me. I know how hard it is to hang onto your dreams as a girl in this family.”

Sadie nods. “As do I.”

Dakota and Blossom hurry to us. “Rhett messaged. They’re nearly at the boardwalk now.”

“Time to get into place,” Blossom adds.

I study the shack, which is hardly a shack anymore. It’s more of a mini beach house now. Will Miles like it? My stomach gurgles and I slap a hand over it to calm it down.

Sadie threads her arm through mine. “Let’s go.”

We follow Dakota, Blossom, Paisley, Harper, and Sloane as they march through the sand to the beach near the boardwalk. By the time we arrive, the Raider brothers are already on the boardwalk. Guessing by the way they keep shoving each other, they’re giving each other shit. Nothing new there.

Sloane herds me to the back of the group. “Stay hidden until I give you the signal.”

I duck behind my sisters to watch. The group of brothers turns their attention to us and Harper waves to them.

“It’s time,” Sloane urges.

What’s the worst thing that could happen? I’ll humiliate myself in front of the entire island. I can handle humiliation. It wouldn’t be the first time.

I step out from behind the group and make my way to the front. Miles spots me. He kicks off his shoes before hurrying toward me.

“What are you doing here?”

I bite my bottom lip and gaze up at him from beneath my lashes. “I have a surprise for you.”

“I love surprises.”

“I hope you’ll love this one.”

He grasps my hand. “If it involves you, I’ll love it.”

“Really? You’re not still mad at me?”

He snorts. “Guessing by the thousand messages I’ve sent you in the past three days, I’m not mad anymore.”

“I wouldn’t say it was a thousand messages.”

He grins before clearing his throat and wiping all mirth from his face. “I’m sorry. I overreacted. It's my job to support you. I shouldn’t have pushed you to accept the position at the resort. If you want to accept the job at the VA hospital, you have my support.”

“Well, crap. I guess I shouldn’t have accepted the position at the resort.”

His blue eyes sparkle as a smile spreads across his face. “You took the position at the resort?”

“Hudson made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.”

“You’re staying?” I nod. “Whoop! This is the best surprise!”

He grasps my hips and lifts me in the air but I tap his shoulder. “My job situation isn’t the surprise.”