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CHAPTER1
Summer
Istared out the airplane window with childlike wonder, my nose literally pressed against the glass as I watched us get closer to the teardrop-shaped island that was our destination. When we left New York hours ago, we were surrounded by white, fluffy clouds. But now, it was all blue sky around us and endless water below. I could see everything for miles and miles.
I’d never been to a tropical island before, and the excitement made me giddy as the pilot announced our approach, telling us to lift up our table trays and buckle our seatbelts. My mother was sitting next to me, with my father on her other side. Mom was a nervous flyer, so she’d had three drinks during the flight, but the Chardonnay wasn’t enough to keep her from tensing up as the plane started its descent.
“Summer, close the window,” Dad said, grabbing her hand.
She held onto him so tightly that her knuckles turned white. I pulled down the window covering, even though I liked the view. I figured I’d get the chance to take in plenty of breathtaking sights over the next week, anyway.
We weren’t here just for a vacation. My brother, Michael, was getting married on Pompeo Island this weekend. We’d be here for seven days, participating in parties and group activities leading up to the wedding on Saturday afternoon. I was thrilled for him. He was committing to the love of his life, and I was gaining a sister, which I’d always wanted.
After getting off the plane, we went through the mundane process of collecting our luggage and picking up the rental car that my dad had reserved in advance. Before long, we were on the road, heading for the hotel where the friends and family here for the wedding would be staying all week.
I once again found myself staring out the window, looking at the ocean, the palm trees, and all the tourists on the sand. It turned out that the hotel was located right on the beach and I couldn’t wait to explore the area. My dad had booked our rooms, so he took care of checking us in while Mom and I waited nearby.
Suddenly, a pair of strong arms wrapped around my waist from behind and I was lifted into the air and spun around. I let out a squeal and slapped my brother’s hands, knowing that it could only be him. When I was back on my feet, I turned to face Michael, who was smiling ear-to-ear.
“How was your flight, Short Stuff?”
“You know I hate when you call me that,” I replied, ducking away from him as he attempted to ruffle my hair. “Don’t think you can get away with it just because this is your big week.”
“It’s not my fault that you’re fun-sized.”
I glared at him. I was at least a foot shorter than Michael at five feet, three inches, and he’d teased me about our height difference since we were kids. But he also didn’t let anyone else get away with it. He was a protective big brother, despite also being a pain in my ass.
“Okay, knock it off, you two,” Dad said as he walked over with the room keys in his hand. “You’re thirty years old, don’t act like kids.”
“Hey,he’sthirty,” I pointed out. “I’m still in my prime.”
An amused smile flitted across Dad’s face. Our bickering was light-hearted, not like when we were kids and used to have big blowout fights over just about everything. These days, Michael and I had a close relationship, which probably had something to do with the fact that we were only two years apart in age.
“Where’s my future daughter-in-law?” Mom asked, glancing around the lobby.
“Running herself ragged,” Michael said, shaking his head. “But you know, she loves it. Organizing and planning, making lists, she enjoys all that stuff. So, this week-long wedding celebration is right up her alley.”
“Well, I’ll see if she needs any help with the welcoming party tonight,” Mom said as the four of us headed toward the elevator, hauling our suitcases along with us. “Do you want to come with me, Summer?”
“If we have time before the party, I think I’d rather just explore a bit. Maybe take a walk on the beach.”
“By yourself?”
I couldn’t resist rolling my eyes at my mother. She was always overprotective of me. I didn’t know if it was because I was the youngest in the family or maybe because I was a girl, but I’d always hated it.
“I’m an adult, Mom,” I reminded her, pressing the elevator button for the eighth floor. “You don’t need to worry about me.”
“A mother always worries,” Mom replied. “William, why don’t you go with her?”
I opened my mouth to protest, but my dad beat me to it.
“Leave the girl alone, Emma. She’ll be fine. Besides, I can’t go. I need to make a conference call to check in with Zach on the progress of the business plan.”
No one said anything in response to that. Even my mom decided to let the subject drop, choosing to let me go off on my own without further protest. Dad’s new business venture was a sensitive subject. Not because any of us disapproved. On the contrary, it was a huge deal that he was back to work after three years of depression over the loss of his last business.
He’d owned a successful chain of restaurants with his business partner, Harold. It was his passion. The pair of them built the business from the ground up over the course of nearly three decades until Harold betrayed dad three years ago, forcing him out of the business over a stupid disagreement.
It was a devastating blow for our whole family, and I was still furious about it. Hell, we all were. I grew up thinking of Harold as an uncle. His son, Levi, had been my best friend.
