Page 193 of Summer Love

“Still not totally sure who you are, but hey… welcome!” Luke says, with admirable nerve.

Summer frowns. Luke holds it for two seconds, then bursts out laughing. She catches on and laughs with him.

“Hayes, Summer. Residence: Coral Bay. Case closed,” Evan announces.

He touches two fingers to his temple. We all return the salute, even though none of us are cops. Summer laughs harder.

“Should we head in?” she asks. “I’m freezing…”

We paddle toward shore. The sun has come up over the ridge.

On the beach, two figures are waiting, each holding a coffee. Sierra and Noah.

“You knew,” I say, mock-offended.

“Everyone knew,” Noah says.

“Except me.”

“Going by your face, we didn’t get up for nothing.”

“We just got back from SFO,” Sierra says. “Your brother’s idea.”

Noah shrugs.

My throat tightens. Noah hasn’t left Coral Bay since the shark. Six years. And he spent the whole night on the road to go get Summer.

She reaches the shallows and takes off her leash. I rip mine off, grab her by the waist, throw her over my shoulder. She shrieks, laughs, smacks me on the back.

“Put me down! Your leg!”

“I don’t care. I’m happy.”

I move away from the water. My thigh pulls with every step. I limp. After a few yards, I set Summer down on the sand.

She straightens up, pushes a few strands off her face, and smiles at me.

There’s only one thing I want: to show her the house. Our house. Everything I set up for her return.

“Come on.”

CHAPTER 64

Summer

The sand is cold under my bare feet. Jace’s hand is warm in mine.

Maya bolts toward the board rack, my board under her arm. Kai follows, a board under each arm—his and Jace’s. The others drift off, each in their own direction.

We come around the VW bus, parked crooked in front of the school.

Jace lets go of my hand and pushes open the gate, which doesn’t squeak anymore. We step into the yard.

In one smooth motion, he peels his wetsuit down to his waist. I copy him—with less grace. My soaked hair sticks to the back of my neck.

Jace heads to the school and comes back with two thick towels. He shakes one open, wraps me in it, rubs my shoulders. He dries off fast with his and leaves it around his neck.

Then he takes my hand again and pulls me toward the house, excited like a kid.