Dustin walked faster and opened the door to Cassie’s Catch. “Nope, no head shrinking me. I’m not the one with a pregnant ex while in love with another woman. My life isn’t in need of examining.”
“Great, now I sound like a Jerry Springer episode from the ‘90s.” Trevor entered the boat-like structure, but he didn’t notice the wood paneling or the large, restored helm or the twenty-plus people in the room. He only saw Julie standing in a dress that accentuated all her natural beauty. A dress that made him forget his own name. “Wow.”
Dustin slapped him on the back hard, as if to jolt him out of his stupor. “I think you chose well. Good luck. Remember, mouth closed, compliments flow, and tomorrow you can deal with the trash. Tonight is about her.”
Trevor marched straight for Julie, unable to keep away from her another second. “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Happy birthday.” He kissed her cheek and whispered, “Good thing there’s a roomful of people, or I might forget that I’m a gentleman.”
She blushed all shades of passion. He took her hand and stood by her side until people began to drag her away for other conversations.
He and Dustin hung out watching a game on the television over the bar while she did her rounds at her party, but Trevor never took his eyes off her.
“You look like you’re about to fall out of your chair like a bad stalker.” Dustin shouldered him, knocking him to the side and almost off the stool.
“She looks amazing tonight, doesn’t she?” Trevor mumbled as if he was still processing how lucky he was to have such a smart, capable, sane, and beautiful woman to date.
“She does. Just remember that before you fall too hard, you need to tell her what’s going on. Tonight, you don’t get to make any grandiose declarations of love for her, or you’ll regret it tomorrow. Truth, then relationship. Remember that.”
“Right. Although, I still believe there’s no way that child is mine. Unless it’s a miracle baby, which I don’t think is possible, it’s not mine.”
“Just because you say it’s not doesn’t make it true. And the truth doesn’t matter. If she says you’re the baby daddy, then you need to find out for sure before you dismiss her. Listen, you and I both know she’s a liar and would manipulate any situation to make herself come out on top. That includes raking you over the coals for being a heartless monster for not taking responsibility for your unborn child. How do you think Julie would feel about you if reports come out that you weren’t there for your own baby?”
Trevor ran his thumbnail along the crack in the lacquered wooden table. “Not good.”
“Right. So for once, listen to me. I know you think I’m only a player who has never been in a real relationship, but trust me, I know what I’m talking about.”
“Someday, you’re going to tell me who broke your heart.”
Wind appeared with a hand on Dustin’s shoulder. “Oh, that’s a story I’d love to hear.”
Dustin plastered on that faux smile of his. “I’d have to have a heart to break it.”
Wind laughed. “Right, I forgot.”
Cassie came from the kitchen holding a round cake in the form of a beach with four different-colored chairs and books with a label that said Friendship Beach. “This cake isn’t just for Julie Boone. This is for the four of you to let you know how much Summer Island has missed the vibrant quartet of girls who always made things happen. You were such a big part of this town that when you all scattered, it wasn’t just Julie who missed you. It was all of us.”
Mr. Mannie, a woman—her short, curly hair a deep orange—they called Francine, and other residents of Summer Island nodded their agreement.
Cassie continued, “So, I officially declare the first Summer Island celebration of Friendship Day.” He placed the cake down on the table, and the girls swooped in around him. “Even if one of you decided to avoid the party.”
“Trace had to finish up with the gator, but she’d feel the same way. We all do. We have all missed you, too,” Wind announced, looking at each member of the town before she looked back at the cake.
Kat kissed Cassie on the cheek. “Trace is working on the big finale, so she gets a free pass, but I’ll make sure she comes by tomorrow to say hi.”
Trevor remained on the sidelines, watching the small-town family huddle together and chat about the fond memories of their past. It was nice to hear all the stories, and Trevor felt even closer to Julie, as if he’d known her their entire lives but only now had a chance to be together.
Once the people began to fade, he helped clean up and found himself holding Julie’s hand at every opportunity. The restaurant emptied, leaving only the four women, Cassie, Dustin, and himself. Julie pulled him to the corner near the television blaring the news. “Listen, I want to tell you something.” Julie’s hands trembled, so he kissed each of them.
“You can tell me anything.” Trevor held tight and listened but knew he should leave before whatever she said could change tomorrow when he told her the truth. “But we should wait. How about I take you for breakfast in the morning? We can chat then.”
“I want to be with you. I’m ready,” she said too loud, too fast for him to stop or ignore her words.
He squeezed her fingers and closed his eyes, searching for the right thing to say.
She backed away. “I’m sorry. I thought you—forget it. Forget what I said.” She fled, but he caught her around the waist and held her tight.
“No. It’s not what you think.” He sighed and willed himself to tell her the truth.
“Hey, isn’t that your ex on TV?” Wind called out.
He looked up to
