Page 23 of Plotting Summer

“Hey, Walker,” I say to my brother, feeling like I should give him a side hug, but when I wrap my arm around his waist, he goes stiff. We’ve never had a hugging type of relationship—actually, we haven’t had much of a relationship at all since Dad died—but the reminder still stings a little. “You came.”

His dark brown curls are visible beneath the edges of his hat. “It ended up working with my schedule.”

Of course it did. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be here.

“I had to give him a ride like some hitchhiker on the highway.” Jane sends him a teasing look. “But I got him here.”

I don’t appreciate their shared, knowing smile. Jane is strictly off-limits to Walker for so many reasons. “You guys came together?”

Walker shrugs. “I just needed a ride.”

I nod, taking in his expression. He looks innocent enough, but for some reason, my internal warning signal is going off.

“Now that everyone’s here, let’s eat before the food gets cold,” Tala calls.

Jane links arms with me again, and the two of us head inside, dropping our bags on the counter. The whole crew is assembled, and a big pot of something that smells amazing—like lemons and oregano—is steaming on the stovetop. “Sorry I’m late. After the dealership, I stopped to grab a few things at the store. It obviously took longer than I expected.”

“You’re fine,” Tala says. The happy little smile she's wearing tells me she glimpsed who brought me home.

Serenity approaches me with a pout. “And we still didn’t find the keys. Jack and I looked everywhere. We even checked the front lawn.”

I run a hand down her long, chestnut hair that is only a shade or two lighter than my own. “That’s okay. They’ll turn up.” I hope. Though I’m no longer put out by the idea of staying a few extra days. Not because I get to hang out with Tristan (at least that’s what I’m telling myself), but because by the end of this, I’ll have found a way forward out of this mess I’ve created. Hopefully. “But I got you two something as a thank you for helping me look.”

Heath is already rummaging through my bag. “Did you get me anything?”

I swat him away, but then I grab the box of tampons and toss it to him. “There you are.”

Laughter echoes through the room.

“You asked for that,” Grandma snickers.

“Funny.” He scowls, but I ignore him and pull out a large pack of Swedish Fish for Serenity and a bag of Nerd Clusters for Jack.

They both wrap their arms around me, squealing in excitement. Being an aunt is the greatest thing ever. A few inexpensive treats and I’m suddenly at favorite-person status.

“Thanks, Auntie Capri,” Serenity says.

“Yeah, thanks.” Jack rips open the package, but Tala snags it from him before he can get one out.

“After dinner.” She gives him a pointed look and sticks his candy, along with Serenity’s, on top of the fridge.

“Sorry,” I mouth to Tala.

“You’re totally fine.” Her smile returns. “But let’s dish up so we can sit and hear about your eventful afternoon.”

If she thinks I’m mentioning anything but the barest details about Tristan in front of my family, she is sorely mistaken. In fact, this entire room is full of conspirators who knew Tristan had moved back into the Palmers’ house, and not one of them told me. If I hadn’t missed them all so much, the whole group would be getting the silent treatment. Or villains named after them along with Heath.

“Wow. I had way too much of that shrimp orzo.” Jane lays back onto the guest room bed, resting her hands over her stomach.

I plop down next to her and grab a decorative pillow, hugging it to me. “Seriously. And that bread. I think I ate a whole loaf on my own.”

She laughs, then shifts to her side and props herself onto her elbow. “So, dish it,” she says with a conspiratorial smile. “Every detail.”

“You first. How is the Summer of Jane Hayes going?” Last weekend, Jane declared she was going to fall in love this summer. Not intended to, but absolutely, unequivocally was going to fall in love. To make sure it happens, she’s attempting different romance tropes on each date to see which, if any, will lead to her happily ever after. The plan is so perfectly Jane.

I’d never tell her that tropes are just a marketing tool authors use to set reader expectations, because honestly, if anyone can find love by forcing tropes onto unsuspecting guys, it’s Jane. Plus, her own parents—country music stars Tucker Hayes and Loretta Lee—had a very trope-ish romance and are still happily married almost thirty years later.

“There’s nothing new to report since the choking disaster with Beau and the toolbox incident with Dax. I just haven’t found the right combination of tropes yet. Or the right guy. Hey, I have a great idea.” She’s now brimming with excitement. “Maybe, now that you’re home, you and Tristan can act as double on a couple of the dates.”