Page 71 of Plotting Summer

“Oh, Heath,” I say, right before he steps out of the room. “I’ve been meaning to tell you that I already have published a book. Sixteen actually. And I’m about to release my seventeenth.”

“Funny.” He laughs, disappearing from view. “I’ll see you two later,” he says, his footsteps moving away from us.

“She’s Sunny Palmer,” Tala calls. Silence follows, then his footsteps grow louder and his shocked expression reappears. Tala lifts the manuscript from her lap as proof.

He glances from me to the manuscript to the bookshelf. “You’re for real right now?” We both nod, and his smile returns in full force. “You’re Sunny Palmer?”

I lift a hand in a small wave.

His gaze slides to Tala. “Wait, does that mean you knew?”

“I made her swear she wouldn’t tell anyone, including you,” I say, coming to Tala’s defense.

He stares at us, his jaw slackened. “I’m offended you didn’t think you could trust me.”

“You told Tristan about my crush.”

Heath's head shifts from side to side as though he's considering the evidence. “Point made. But that was for your own good. And his.”

“So I can trust you not to tell anyone about this outside of our family?”

“Am I the last to know?” he asks. I pin him with a look that must match Tala’s because he looks back and forth between us and lifts his hands like he’s innocent. “What? I’m just curious.”

“Tala, Jane, Tristan, and Mom know,” I say. “… and now probably Stan. I’m also going to tell Grandma soon … and eventually Walker. Though we’ll hold off telling Serenity and Jack for the time being.”

“I knew I was your”—he raises his fingers one at a time, counting—“fifth favorite. I guess sixth if you count Stan, but I’m thinking you would have told me before him if you’d had the option.”

Tala laughs. “Tell yourself whatever you need to, my love.”

“Oh, I will.” He glances at his watch again. “I’ve got to go.” His footsteps sound in the hallway, but then they stop and he pokes his head around the corner one last time. “That really is incredible, Capri. I’m proud of you.”

If Tala is a hybrid sibling, Heath is equally so. And since my dad isn’t here to tease me and heckle me and be proud of me, I’m glad Heath is. “Thanks.”

With one more wave, he’s gone.

I look over at Tala. “You don’t think he’ll tell anyone?”

“No. Not with this.” She rests her head back on mine. “And I know you hate when I gush about your books, so I’ll very casually say that I’m absolutely loving the changes you’ve made. Brant might just be my new favorite book boyfriend.”

I truly won the lottery getting Tala for a sister.

It seems the whole island plus some have come out for the annual Fourth of July breakfast in town square, and it takes me a minute to locate my family stationed at one of the many tables set up throughout the central area surrounding the fountain. Grandma’s next to Tala and Heath, who seem to be attempting to get the kids to focus on eating instead of watching everything else going on around them.

“How are the pancakes?” I ask when I approach, kissing Grandma on the cheek.

She pats my hand that’s resting on the back of her chair. “Delicious.”

“Deliciously cold,” Heath says with an overdone grimace.

I swipe Lucas from Tala’s arms so she can eat with both hands. “I forgot you’re kind of a diva about your warm syrup preference.”

“He totally is,” Tala laughs, glancing over her shoulder at me. “I’m glad you found us. I was trying to text but you didn’t answer.”

“Sorry. I realized while walking up that I left my phone at home.”

“Where’s Tristan?”

“He dropped me off before attempting to find a place to park in all this madness.” I don’t mention it’s part of our plan to avoid being seen together too much throughout the day. It’s not that we can’t see each other at all, but we decided the less we see of each other, the easier it will be to keep things platonic between us. Had Tala and Heath had room for me on their golf cart with all the kids and having to pick up Grandma, I would have kept things simple and ridden with them. But that wasn’t an option, and I can’t say I minded the extra time spent with Tristan at his house this morning before we left. Not that I should be thinking about that right now.