with it. When I watch her take off to see what chaos her mother has caused, again, I realize what that electricity means. Hope.

For the first time, I feel like there was a signal from her. Or maybe a whisper of a signal.

If it worked out, I would never let her regret giving me a chance. I think about her when she’s gone, and whenever she returns, she lights up my soul. This morning, for instance, Adalee was only here for about five minutes, but my whole entire mood changed when she walked up the dock. I could hear her footsteps before I saw her. I know her so well; she’s so familiar to me that I can even tell just by listening if it’s her or not.

Her hair was pulled back in that high ponytail that she always wears when she’s on her way to work the Ferris wheel. What was unusual was that I had the urge to reach out and tuck a loose strand behind her ear. Her winged eyeliner has a little bit of sparkle in it today, bringing out the blue in her eyes.

Her lips looked a little pinker, too. She’s adorable no matter what makeup she wears or doesn’t wear, but I feel like she did a little bit extra today for some reason.

Maybe it’s my mind playing tricks on me.

That would be the case if my body wasn’t suddenly reacting to the sight of bare skin below the knot in her button-up shirt. She had it cinched up like she always does with that shirt, but it was just a smidge higher today. I have seen her belly button a million times. Usually, not a big deal, but today the urge was more intense than ever to slip my arms around her waist and feel that skin against mine.

She’s your best friend, for Pete’s sake. Calm down and try not to fuck it up.

She’d probably hit me upside the head if she knew the images floating through my mind right now. She’d be right to hit me upside the head.

We love each other too much to screw up this perfect friendship. I would never want to lose this comfortable vibe between the two of us. She’s a rare jewel, and I wouldn’t want to lose her.

As I resume my work repairing this boat motor, my mind wanders toward all the useless hypotheticals.

How would I feel if Frenchie started dating someone because I didn’t take my shot? The figurative flames that begin shooting from my ears give me all the answer I need. I would immediately find fault and yeet him into the sun.

Well, dummy. You can’t base an entire relationship on how jealous you would feel. That can’t be healthy.

But looking at this objectively, my instincts, I know what I have to do.

I have to do everything in my power to keep her in my life.

It could be that I’m confusing protectiveness for affection for Adalee. She doesn’t have a lot to give, but she gives and gives some more to anyone who asks.

When her mom, Jenny, announced she was moving back to Cherry Falls, I was wary. Frenchie lives in a small Airstream trailer with her cats, It doesn’t look like much, but it’s perfect for her.

Her mom doesn’t like me much because I convinced Adalee to keep her distance. Draw a boundary. Her mom could visit, but she could not live with her.

Turns out that was the right decision since she can’t even be in that Airstream for five minutes without losing an overweight cat.

I’m rooting for her mom; I really am. Just not at the expense of Adalee. She is and always has been my number one ride or die.

I watch her walk away down the dock with my head full of worry. My legs have the itch to ditch work and go help her with Peanut and with her mom.

As the guy who runs the marina, I could spontaneously take off and leave Gavin to handle things. But Captain Jack — the owner of the biggest boat in the marina and responsible for a good chunk of the marina’s income — said he needs to talk to me about something today. I already missed seeing Captain Jack last week when I came in late so I could help Adalee get her mom settled in her new subsidized apartment. She didn’t ask me to, but I knew there would be drama, and I knew she needed backup.

Peanut is a fat little diabetic cat who won’t get far, as most people in the RV park look out for Adalee.

Turns out I’m not the only one who’s overprotective of her.

I finish my lunch and send Frenchie a text to let me know if she needs my help with her mom or Peanut. I can’t leave work, but I might be able to send a friend to help.

I polish off my lunch with the cookies she brought me, and they taste even better than usual. I’ve gotten so used to Frenchie’s cooking that I can tell which cookies are from the Nestle roll house recipe and which are original.

These cookies were baked with something else today. These cookies were baked with love. Yes. It’s definitely long overdue for Hudson Green to shoot his shot.

Chapter 3

Adalee

“Mom, he’s right here. Look.”

Peanut is hanging out underneath my Airstream with one of Justin’s pugs, Dexter, who looks like he’s snacking on one of his Greenies.

But to my horror, I realize it’s not that. It’s a cable. The cable to my television, to be specific.

“Oh shit. Dexter!”

With a grunt, I lift both animals out from under the trailer and grumpily open the door. Setting Peanut down in his bed, I turn to my mom, who is frustratedly trying to access my Netflix account.

“You didn’t also notice that Dexter was outside without a leash.”

Absently, mom informs me that after she’d texted me, she’d recruited the pugs to try to help lure Peanut out from under the RV. I

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