Page 57 of The Other Plan

Could we? I wondered as I let thoughts of a life with Carter creep into my mind. The kisses. The laughter. The life we could lead.

But as quickly as they came in, I realized I had no idea where that life would be? Here, with him giving up everything to come to Door County? There, with me in New York after giving up my dream career and a place I never wanted to leave? Or separate, where we’d see each other sporadically flying back and forth?

No. I couldn’t entertain the idea of trying to move forward with Carter. It was too much. Too complicated. Too painful.

I broke our stare and forced my eyes to lift back to the sparkles in the sky.

Stay strong, Jenna. Only a few more days, and he’ll be gone.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CARTER

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The firework show ended, and everyone strolled off the beach, laughing and talking as they headed back for the cocktail party in the main house. I stayed behind, wanting to get a little more time beside the water.

It was so beautiful here. So tranquil. As the waves lapped along the shore, I closed my eyes and thought about paddling out onto them. The water called to me, and I couldn’t believe how much I’d missed it... and how I hadn’t even realized I’d missed it until I’d arrived in Door County. It had been such a big part of my life before my move to New York, and in a million years, I’d never thought I’d live in a world where I didn’t spend a chunk of my day out on it.

“I’ll go get the music started. You just grab the rest of the bottles and head home. I’ll make sure everything is good for the night.” I heard Cameron say.

“Thanks, Cameron. I’ll plan on seeing you tomorrow afternoon at my place.”

I turned toward their voices and saw Cameron hand-in-hand with his boyfriend as they started toward the house.

My gaze drifted to where he’d just been standing, and it landed on Jenna. She was bent over, picking up the empty bottles of champagne piled in a neat heap.

“Need some help?” I offered.

She jerked her head up, and her startled eyes met mine. “Jesus. I didn’t see you there in the dark.”

I walked over and grabbed a few bottles from the ground. “I was just over by the water having a moment. What a beautiful night.”

“Yeah. We’ve been lucky this whole week. And so far, the weather looks clear for the weekend.”

“Don’t jinx it.”

She sucked the air through her teeth. “Yeah. Good point.”

I picked up a piece of driftwood from between my feet and held it out. “Knock on wood, just to be safe.”

She set down her bottles and chuckled but rapped her knuckles on the twisty dried-up branch.

“You really are amazing at what you do.”

“Huh?”

“Planning weddings and stuff. I know all of this looks so effortless from where I’m standing, but I can’t even imagine how much thought and work goes into pulling all these events off. There are so many moving parts, and yet you just keep the engine chugging along.”

Her eyes creased with the soft smile. “Thanks. It is a lot, but I love doing it.”

“Well, it shows. And I can’t wait to see what you pull off for the actual wedding.”

Her lips pinched together. “I hope it all works out. It’s going to be all hands on deck that day. The ceremony will be right there.” She gestured to a spot in the sand. “And we have a huge, clear tent that will be set up on the beach right there.” I followed her point. “It’s going to be so elegant and beautiful, but it’s going to be a lot of work with over three hundred people coming.”

“I can’t imagine you won’t crush it though.”

The tension in her shoulders slipped away. “Thanks. I hope so.”