Page 11 of Acadia Falls

“Hi, honey.” But she sounded concerned. “What was this text I got from Alex yesterday? Something about having your apartment packed up and your things put in storage? And what the heck happened with the wedding?”

“Um, it’s a long story.” I went to the porch and plopped down, enjoying the view of the water and the mountains beyond. “Let’s just say Derek was being Derek.”

“And now Alex is being Alex.” My mother sniffed. “She didn’t get what she wanted, and you’re somehow being dragged into it. And she’s making that possible by throwing money at her problems.”

“Don’t be like that. She just got jilted at her wedding.” My mother only tolerated Alex.

“I know, honey—but that’s her problem, not yours. You need to study for your exam.”

“I’m going to study, Mom.” I groaned. “You don’t have to worry about that. Alex knows she has to give me space.”

She tsked, then asked what the island was like.

“It’s beautiful, Mom. You should come up.”

“I have to work, sweetie. You know that.” She sounded sad, and I knew it wasn’t because of her job. My mother disliked that the Vejas were so wealthy. Since we’d become friends in college, Alex’s family took me on multiple luxury vacations, bought me designer clothes and expensive gifts, and invited me to their vacation homes for holidays. My mom lived in a one-bedroom garden-style apartment in New Jersey. She’d never felt like she could compete.

“It’s just for the summer,” I said as we were about to hang up. “I’m going back to New York in September, and I’m going to get a nicer apartment. You can come stay with me, okay?”

“So… I won’t be seeing you until then?” My mom and I usually saw each other every few weeks.

“I’ll try to come home for a visit.” I didn’t remind her that not only did I need to study for the bar, but Little Seal Island was also a boat ride plus a ten-hour car ride away.

Feeling guilty, I sighed once we said goodbye. I loved my mother. Sometimes I felt like I was leaving her behind because I was so busy with school and my life in the city. I was hoping that with the money I’d earn from my new job, I could help move her to a condominium with central air. She would totally love that!

And if I let myself think about it, maybe she was partly right about Alex. My BFF did throw money at her problems—but that was because she had a lot of it to throw. In any event, I wasn’t shocked to find myself sitting on Alex’s porch the day after her wedding was canceled, all my summer plans suddenly blown up and rearranged to her liking.

I sighed again and then went to set up my study materials.

“Hey,” Alex croaked from the doorway. She’d showered and washed her hair but still looked worn out. “You hungry?”

“I’m starved.” I grinned at her. While she’d slept off her hangover, I’d set myself up in the office and gotten a ton of work done. “You’re right—the internet is fast here. It’s crazy!”

“Is that why you have that glint in your eye?” Alex laughed.

“Yeah—I officially started studying. I’m excited.”

“Only my workaholic friend would say something like that.” Alex laughed again, then held her head. “I need dinner and a little hair of the dog. What do you think about heading over to the restaurant?”

“Um… I don’t mind cooking. Your mom stocked the fridge.”

“Nah, let’s go to the restaurant. They make delicious watermelon margaritas—I had a couple last night.” She frowned at me. “I don’t want to hear anything about your summer budget, okay? The next three months are sponsored by the Vejas trust fund. We can go out every night, and you don’t need to pay for anything.”

I groaned. “I’m never going to be able to pay you back. You know that, right?” Even with my new six-figure job, my bank account could never keep up with Alex’s trust.

“I owe you. I hijacked your summer. So go get dressed. You might want a sweater—it gets chilly out there.” Happy that she’d won, Alex practically sashayed downstairs.

The thing about Alex? She spent money every day and never gave it a second thought. But I’d grown up poor, and I’d always been on a strict budget. It was an awkward part of our relationship, but it only bothered me. Alex was oblivious, maybe because she’d never gone without.

A few minutes later, I joined her in the kitchen. She arched an eyebrow. “You look awfully pretty.”

“Thanks.” I’d put on a white sweater, brushed out my hair, and put on lipstick. Just in case we bumped into… anyone.

Little Seal Island was tiny, after all.

We walked down the dirt road to the dock, where the island’s one restaurant was located. Last night it had been transformed for Alex’s party, but the staff had cleaned out the decorations, and now it was back to basics. It still had a spectacular view of the water.

“Table for two?” The hostess greeted us, and Alex nodded at her. But as we headed for the table, she froze.