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What I really want to do is track down that piece of shit and punch him in the face, but since I can’t do that, I just continue walking. The joke’s on him anyway. Laura makes enough money during the summer months that she doesn’t even need to open the Dip and Twist during the winter months, but she does it anyway, because no one can go that long without her ice cream. And Laura, Birdie, and Wren all sacrifice the space they would have in larger houses they can definitely afford inland or on the mainland, for the luxury of living right on the beach, which is not cheap, even on a small island like Summersweet.
“Why in the hell did she stay with him for two years?” I mutter, both of us stopping right at the edge of a cottage yard, and I glance down the beach to make sure Birdie is still in sight.
Murphy sighs loudly, pulling my gaze away from her momentarily to look at him.
“At least some things never change and you’re still a moron.” He shakes his head at me before turning and walking back the way we came, shouting over his shoulder as he goes. “Open your eyes and finally figure it out, idiot! And don’t let her see you following her home or she’ll murder you before you pull your head out of your ass!”CHAPTER 14Birdie
“Grip it soft; stroke it smooth.”Palmer: There are five golf carts left in the cart corral.
Birdie: Who is this?
Palmer: Seriously? I JUST left you in your office forty-five seconds ago and told you I would text you how many golf carts we had available while I walked to the lunch tents.
Birdie: A lot can happen in forty-five seconds. Also, this contact is listed in my phone as Dickhole Assfuck Piece of Shit Loser. Coincidentally, what I’ve also named a spam caller asking me about a warranty for a car I don’t own. One can never be too careful.
Palmer: You’re lucky you give good hugs.
Birdie: I gave you one hug that happened two days ago, and it was only because I felt bad for you.
Palmer: Sure. Okay.
Birdie: On account of how awful you are at anything other than golf.
Palmer: Whatever helps you sleep at night. You missed these big, strong arms picking you up and being wrapped around you.
Birdie: My fourteen-year-old nephew can pick me up. Let’s slow our roll there a little, Thor. Aren’t you supposed to be asking Ed if he needs any help setting up the southern boil he’s catering for lunch before your lesson?
Palmer: Aren’t you supposed to be grabbing the pins for the Longest Putt challenge? GOD, stop bothering me when I’m trying to work. You are the worst boss EVER.
Birdie: I liked you better when you were quiet and shy and did what I told you without any lip.
Palmer: You sure about that? I don’t remember you shivering much around me when I was quiet and shy.
Birdie: It’s called low blood sugar. Look it up.
Palmer: Still making up dumb shit in your head, I see.
Birdie: What?
Palmer: Never mind. Get back to work, slacker. I’ll see you at the Closest to the Pin competition at 5. Don’t forget to bring the baby powder from the storage closet. And a sweater for all your “low blood sugar” chills.The first day of the three-day golf outing for the Summersweet Schools teachers and employees has gone off without a hitch so far, even though we had to postpone it from starting yesterday, because another summer storm popped up that wasn’t in the forecast. We’re supposed to be getting a few more scattered showers this week that I’ve been keeping a close eye on, but so far today, we’ve had nothing but clear blue skies.
Even though it was rainy off and on yesterday and there were only a few brave souls who came out to golf a couple holes instead of the two-hundred we planned on, I still had a ton of work to do, pushing the outing back a day. I had catering to change, food and beverage deliveries to rearrange, employees to reschedule, dates that needed updating on all printed items and all over social media, reservations to push back with the hotel next door, and a giant guest list that all had to be notified of the change. True to Palmer’s word after cornhole, he met me here at six in the morning and was right by my side through it all, helping me whenever I needed it, cracking jokes to calm me down when I was particularly stressed, and even ordered me my favorite chicken Caesar wrap with fresh-cut fries from the restaurant for lunch and put the plate down in front of me when I was on a phone call and realized I’d forgotten to eat, just like he’s been doing all morning today, when I’ve been even more frazzled now that the outing has officially begun.
