Page 55 of Plotting Summer

I nod, suddenly feeling as though I might throw up. “Yeah, I think so.”

“Well, if you end up being here for either of them,” Sandra says, putting her hand on mine, “we’d love for you to come.”

“Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.”

“She finally emerges from the pool.” Tristan’s sudden appearance behind me makes me jump, and I place a hand over my heart.

His expression is equal parts amusement and concern. “You okay?”

“Yeah, I just …” There’s no way to explain my current state, so I just shrug.

Tala steps next to Sandra’s side, and I hear her say something about author recommendations before gesturing to some nearby chairs. To my great relief, Sandra nods excitedly and follows my saintly sister.

Tristan leans in close, placing a hand on my back. “Are you really okay?”

I nod and offer him a tight smile to prove my point.

His mom’s eyes miss nothing, and when she notices Tristan’s hand still lingering on my back, she looks strangely pleased. “Capri was telling us about her editing company.” Joy lifts the book in her hand, and I want to die where I’m standing. “Apparently her company edits Sunny Palmer’s books. Did you know that?”

He shakes his head, and his accusatory gaze slides to me. “I didn’t.”

I wave away the comment with my hand. “It’s really not a big deal. I’m not the one who actually does her edits.”

“But it’s your company,” Tristan says. “And having Sunny Palmer as a client is a big deal.” Him just saying my pen name makes me want to turn on my heels and run out of here.

“You know who Sunny Palmer is?” Sandra is suddenly back in the conversation, leaning forward in her chair. I’m not usually someone that forms an instant dislike of a person, but this woman’s pushing my limits. Whether it’s warranted or not. Which it’s not.

“Her books are literally everywhere—including sitting on your desk most days.” He gives Sandra a smile that brings immediate color into her cheeks. “I’ve also been asked, on more than one occasion, if I’m related to her.”

I’m no longer chilly. In fact, the heat is moving through my whole body with such intensity, I’m at risk of overheating. To prevent anyone from noticing my splotching décolletage, I wrap my towel around my shoulders, which doesn’t help cool me down, but it’s worth the tradeoff.

“I actually wondered that at first too,” Sandra says. “Until I found out it was a pseudonym. Though I suppose it could still be her real last name. Some authors do that.” She quirks her lips up as if considering the likelihood. “But with how little is known about her, I’d guess the whole of the name is made up.”

“Here you are, Capri.” Walker steps to my other side, holding out a snow cone, and I want to hug him for the interruption and the icy offering. “Half peach, half strawberry.”

“You’re the best.” I shove a bite in my mouth, letting the ice sit on my tongue in an attempt to cool myself down.

“It took you long enough to admit it out loud,” Walker says, helping Grandma into a seat near Tala and Sandra. When he makes sure she’s good, he joins Mark and Joy. “So, what are you looking forward to most about retirement?” Who is this man and what has he done with my brother?

I listen to the three of them talk for a minute until Tristan leans in close. “You haven’t been avoiding me since we’ve come outside, have you, Capri Sun?”

“It’s not my fault you failed to bring a swimsuit to a swim party.”

He just smiles as though he knows it wouldn’t have mattered if he had. He’s probably right. With so many people around, it makes sense to keep our distance as much as possible. And considering he currently seems to have no plan to make that happen, I have to do what’s best for both of us in order to prevent people from thinking we’re anything more than we are.

“Besides, it’s not like I could abandon Serenity and Jack’s game of Marco Polo, and they needed my non-partial judging skills for their ring dive competition.”

Tristan chuckles. “You did look like you were having fun out there.”

“They’re fun kids.”

“Well, they’re lucky to have you as an aunt.”

As if they knew we were speaking about them, Jack and Serenity bound past us, dripping water in their wake. “Mom, can we get something from the vending machine?” Jack asks, bouncing on his toes in front of her.

“You already had two snow cones.”

“But I’m hungry. And so is Serenity. We’ll get something healthy—like chips.”