Page 53 of Plotting Summer

“Oh man, with an invitation like that, I might need to take you up on that.”

He nudges his shoulder into me. “You know you’d be welcome.”

I actually don’t know, but strangely enough, I appreciate him saying so.

Tristan opens the courtyard door, allowing both of us to step through before him. “So Walker, I assume you’ve been practicing at The Belacourt course,” Tristan says, pulling Walker’s gaze to him.

For a second, I worry that Walker won’t answer him, but he nods once. “Yeah.”

“What are your thoughts on that seventh hole?”

Despite his obvious desire not to engage with Tristan, Walker’s lips lift ever so slightly at the corners. “It’s a beast.”

Tristan gives a commiserating nod of understanding, and suddenly the ensuing silence doesn’t feel quite so intense.

Jack holds on to my arm and Serenity stands next to me, both of them searching the water for the plastic diving ring I dropped. “There it is!” Jack calls, diving with a big splash that hits me square in the face. I’m still wiping the water from my eyes when he comes to the surface with the ring in hand and a proud smile. I reach out and pull him toward me. He’s a strong swimmer for his age, but we’ve been going at this for a while now, and with the way he’s breathing, I’m confident he can use a little assistance.

“That’s eleven for you and fourteen for Serenity.”

“I’m at fifteen,” Serenity says, readying herself for the next round.

“Oh yeah, fifteen,” I lift the ring and drop it again. “Wait until it lands. Okay … go.” Both kids dive at the same time.

My gaze unintentionally catches on Tristan again. He apparently is here as a Seaside Oasis employee and not a participant since he’s still wearing his polo and slacks. Which honestly makes sense. It would be unprofessional for Tristan to be walking around shirtless with his incredible abs … and broad shoulders … and thick, toned arms …

I blink, pulling myself from the memory of Tristan shirtless at the spa yesterday. As I was saying, it’s good he isn’t swimming because, with the exception of coming outside together, Tristan and I haven’t really crossed paths again. And Walker being with us at our first appearance made the whole thing a lot less suspect. If anyone even noticed me in between Tristan and my brother, they probably thought I was here with Walker.

Serenity bursts out of the water, lifting the ring above her head. “I’ve got it!”

I grab Jack as he surfaces when I hear Heath call my name. I search the overcrowded pool until I see him wading through the water. “I’m here to relieve you of duty,” he says when he nears.

“I’m more than happy to keep swimming with the kids.”

“I don’t doubt that,” Heath says, like he knows I’m avoiding Tristan. “But Joy and Mark Palmer are over talking to the family, so I’ve been instructed to send you their way to say hello.”

I glance toward the group, and I can’t help but feel a rush of nerves. Which is ridiculous because Joy and Mark are some of my favorites. I hand Heath the diving ring. “The score is: Jack eleven, Serenity sixteen.”

“Got it,” he says, freeing Jack’s hand from my forearm and pulling him onto his back.

When I climb out of the pool, I wrap my arms around myself and start toward Tala and the others.

My gaze is down when I feel a touch on my arm. I look up to find Grandma standing in front of me. “Walker and I are going to get a snow cone. Would you like us to grab you one?”

Walker doesn’t look super thrilled to be taking my order, but he also doesn’t voice any opposition.

“Sure. Strawberry and peach if they have those flavors. Otherwise, surprise me.”

“Did you get that?” Grandma asks Walker.

“One lime raspberry, coming up.” Walker grins as the two of them pass me.

That combination actually sounds amazing, so the joke’s on him.

When I reach Tala and the Palmers, I shiver despite the warm, humid air, and Tala tosses me a towel before I can even say hello. I wrap it around myself and smile at my onlookers.

“Capri!” Joy comes toward me with outstretched arms. The loose-fitting pants and cream-colored blouse don’t look as if they mix well with water, but she hugs me all the same. She pulls back, taking a look at me. “My boys are right; you do keep getting more and more beautiful.”

I’m sure she’s just saying that to be nice, because I’m definitely putting off more of wet cat vibes at the moment. “Says the woman who hasn’t aged a day since I was a little girl.” And it’s true. With the exception of a few smile lines, her skin is still glowing with a youthful radiance.