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I wondered what Lizzy would think of all the fish fare, then hated myself for giving a shit. She’d been so damn beautiful in one of ourRhodes Awayhoodies last night, nose and cheeks flushed with the chill in the air. She and Brex had humored my insane family and their need for tradition, joining in for the annual boat launch.
To my dismay, Axel had gotten awfully cozy with Brexley’s little sunspot, and my skin had tried to forcibly crawl off my bones watching them for most of the launch last night. But it was better. Axel was only four years older than she was. Had infinitely more patience for colors, rainbows, and bubbly bullshit. The sooner she realized he had that same damn optimism she shared with everyone but me, and that I was the asshole, the better. Not that she’d expressed interest in either of us. Or any of the men on the island.
Hell, the other day she just ignored me when I tried to catch her attention outside Grizzly Grind.
Wally hadn’t been the only boatman to take a liking to little Lizzy, and he certainly wouldn’t be the last. But I hadn’t seen her so much as engage with any of them beyond her role as their barista. She worked. She came home. She put up with the Rhodes clan’s bullshit on behalf of Brexley and Rhyett. How she tolerated freezing on that damn boat with a smile on her pretty little face, I still didn’t know. She and Brex fit right in for the annual family tradition of riding theRhodes Awayfrom the boatyard to the harbor, not even complaining when she shivered head to toe.
My treasonous body had wanted to warm her up, wrap her in my arms and keep her close.
My phone buzzed again.
Alessandra
Well, we better make it count. I have news.
Finn
You got the job, didn’t you?
Maverick
Of course she did. They’d be idiots if they didn’t see what she has to offer.
Kaia
Alice!! Did you hear back already?
Alice had beenin a weird interim, hanging out in Mistyvale as she got her feet under her. When that fancy, framed degree didn’t immediately equate to a position that paid the bills, she came home. Regrouped. Evaluated. She’d just gotten certified in some kind of first aid something or other—the dozenth certificate she’d added to her collection since arriving to reassure herself of her worthiness, more than persuade an employer to see it—and had an interview the day I pulled Lizzy out of the rain.
Rhyett
Come on sis, you’re killing us. What’s the update?
Alessandra
This could be my last Salmon Fest for quite a while, so let’s all enjoy it.
Jameson
What the fuck does that mean, Alice? Spit it out.
Hadlee
*eye roll emoji* Don’t be a dick.
Elora
Jesus, Jameson, at least pretend to be excited for her.
Jameson
I’ll be excited when there’s something to be excited about. What’s the consensus, Alice?
Hadlee
*clock ticking gif*
Leighton
