Page 67 of Summer Love

Sierra lets out an admiring whistle.

“I’m not saying what you’re doing is wrong,” I add. “But there’s huge potential here. Instagram, a real visual identity, targeted marketing, storytelling around the school... I can help, if you want.”

“¿En serio?” Maya cries, eyes shining.

“It’s my field,” I say.

“You know if the school goes under, it’ll help sell your house,” Miles calls from the back of the room.

He blinks, suspiciously slow. The brownie’s starting to kick in.

“I want to sell the house, not shut down the school,” I shoot back.

Miles gives a thumbs-up. Maya claps her hands.

“Okay. Anyone who’s free, tomorrow night at the lodge. We’ll meet to plan.”

“I’ll bring food,” Sierra announces.

Miles raises his hand from his cushion.

“I’ll supply the cocktails.”

“And I’ll bring the ideas,” I say.

Maya smiles at me, and so does Sierra. Chiara claps. The brownie grandma lifts her cup my way.

On the way back, I’m the one behind the wheel of Miles’s Jeep. He’s in the back, head tipped back, eyes closed. A loose smile lingers on his lips. Maya’s in the passenger seat, feet on the dash, eyelids heavy. She hums a tune in Spanish I don’t recognize.

Night has fallen. Main Street is nearly empty—a few lit windows, a flickering sign, a cat crossing the street in no hurry. The Jeep has no top, no doors, and the night air is cool on my bare arms.

I take the turn toward the lodge. To my left, the ocean is a dark mass, barely visible. Maya murmurs, eyes closed.

“You’re really gonna help us, no?”

“Of course.”

“Thanks, Summer. You’re a real friend.”

I keep my eyes on the road. Friend. The word came out too fast.

I just offered to help save Jace’s surf school. The school that’s keeping the house from selling. The school whose owner covered me in chalk two days ago... and humiliated me six years ago.

My fingers tighten on the wheel.

Smart move, Summer.

CHAPTER 23

Jace

FRIDAY

5:30 a.m. A high, repetitive whine drills into my skull.

I groan, roll onto my side. Flip lifts his head, ears up. He looks at me like I’ve got an explanation.

I do.