chapter six
Summer
Aweek later, I’m searching for a parking spot at Pelican Beach—a more remote spot that’s on the northwest side of the island. I circled the lot four times before finding one with a car pulling out to leave. This is my first attempt at a social outing since the disaster at Cocktails and Chaos.
I’ve spent the last seven months grieving and attempting to heal. I’ve become a hermit. I talk to Savannah and my boyfriend occasionally, but I haven’t seen either of them in person since I moved to the island. Once I started living here rent-free, my expenses decreased considerably. I spent a portion of the cash my mother had left me to ship my car to the island. Teaching beachfront yoga and spending a few days in the studio down the street is all I need to feed and clothe myself.
I’ve never cared about stockpiling money. I just need enough for an occasional matcha and new yoga pants. Axel wasn’t happy when I told him I was moving out, but we agreed it would be temporary while the renovation was going on. He found two surfing buddies to move in and take over my half of the rent, which lifted a huge burden from my shoulders. The monthly expense was difficult for me to cover, even working two jobs as a yoga instructor and aphotographer.
Now, my photography has gone back to being a hobby, which is what I always wanted. I’ve started dabbling more in underwater photos. The island of Coconut Beach is the perfect place for it with the vibrant reefs and abundant sea life. The water here is warmer and clearer than in California.
I step out of my car, grabbing the rainbow gift bag in the passenger seat. It feels a little odd to be attending the birthday party for Dayton’s cousin, but they’ve reached out to me several times over the past few months in an attempt to get together. I’m worried that if I don’t start trying to make friends, I’ll become even more of a recluse.
The little pavilion near the sandy beach has a colorful string of paper letters that spell outHappy Birthday, Amelia!across the front. I had no idea what to get a five-year-old, so I went with a mix of paints, brushes, and canvas. All kids love to color and make messes.
“Summer! I’m so glad you could make it.” A wide smile pulls across the lips of my stepcousin, Cheri. She’s wearing a floral sundress that contrasts her tanned skin. Dayton’s family is all tall. Cheri is at least five foot nine. “Amelia has been begging to see you ever since we heard you’d moved here.” She pulls me into a hug.
I hand her the gift. “It was so sweet of you to invite me. I don’t really know anyone on the island, except my neighbor.”
“Amelia, come say hi to your cousin Summer.”
A little girl with pink ribbons tied up in her bouncy caramel curls runs up to us. “Hello! You look like summer.”
I giggle, smiling at her. “Do I? That’s good since that’s my name.” I look down at my outfit. I guess she’s right. The strapless cotton dress reaches my ankles. It fades from white to deep blue in an ombre design that reminded me of the ocean when I bought it. With my seashell tattoo and the golden sun necklace I’m wearing, I guess I do look like summer. “I took asunrise dip in the ocean this morning. Do I smell like summer too?” I lean forward.
Amelia leans into me, inhaling. “Yep! You smell like the beach. And coconuts.”
Cheri laughs. “Okay, you ready to sing “Happy Birthday,” honey?”
We walk over to the group gathered under the pavilion. My cheeks warm when I realize that I’m late—yet again. Cheri doesn’t seem to mind as she adds my gift to the table with the others. I don’t know anyone here besides Wendy and Josie, who I wave to before finding a place near the edge of the group.
“Uncle Dayton! Can you hold me up while everyone sings?”
He’s not really her uncle. Technically, he’s her first cousin once removed.
My stomach clenches. I look up toward where Amelia took her place behind a tower of pink and white cupcakes. Dayton moves to stand behind her, dressed in a pink cotton button-down and blue pinstripe swim trunks. His sleeves are rolled up to his elbows, revealing his CGI-looking forearms. She giggles happily when he leans down, lifting her up in his strong arms.
I remember how it felt when he caught me from falling off the table at Chaos. He’s all solid packed muscle, and he smells so damn good.
Lucky girl.
My blush deepens. I’m mortified at my own internal thoughts. I shrink back behind a bigger man beside me, hoping Dayton didn’t see me approach.
“Happy birthday to you…” Cheri begins singing.
Everyone joins in on the song. Dayton actually smiles at his little cousin, holding her up to the cupcake at the top of the tiered tower with the flickering pink candle in the shape of a number five. When the song ends, she huffs a big breath toblow it out. Applause and cheers follow as people approach to grab the cupcakes Cheri hands out.
I chew on my bottom lip, debating whether or not I should bolt. Maybe no one would even notice. Cheri is busy hosting, talking to school moms and making sure Amelia says thank you to everyone who brought a gift. Wendy and Josie are walking down to the water, deep in conversation. I don’t want to interrupt them. I glance toward the parking lot. The last thing I want to do is ruin a child’s birthday party by getting into an argument with my stepbrother.
Cheri beckons me over toward the cake table. I close the gap between us, accepting the cupcake she holds out, which has a ton of white frosting. I dolovefrosting.
“So, I’ve been hearing rumors about a beach bungalow remodel and a mural.” Cheri grins at me and winks. “Who’s the artist?”
“Ah, yes, all true, I guess. It’s Jack Reno. He hasn’t started on it yet, but he’s working on the mock-up.”
“Jack is the best. I can’t believe he had the availability.”
I nod, looking around for Dayton. If he hears that I’ve already secured the artist for the mural, he’s sure to start a fight and chastise me about the precious budget.
