Page 82 of Plotting Summer

Tristan’s smile widens. “Do you know how you'll go about it?”

“Not exactly. I’ll call Maven, my agent, regarding the official announcement, but I wonder if I should tell a few people on the island first. Let the news start to spread organically before the media gets a hold of it.” An idea pops into my head that causes my stomach to twist with nerves, but probably because it’s a decent option. “I could always attend the Seaside Oasis book club Saturday night. Tala, Jane, and my Grandma make up half of it, so it shouldn’t be difficult to tell a couple of others. And, if anyone is going to help spread the word in a positive light, I'd think it's those ladies.” At least I hope it is.

“That does make sense.”

“And as for tonight …” I lift on my toes again, guiding him forward until his lips are against mine. Then, after a brief kiss, I lean back slightly, just out of reach, and I love the way he involuntarily leans toward me as if he can't help himself. “Let’s stop pretending that we aren’t obsessed with each other.”

Fireworks are still booming overhead, but nothing can compare to the smile on Tristan’s face. Or the way he kisses me again, for anyone to see.

I’m sitting on the dock with my notebook in hand, jotting down a few story ideas, when I hear Tristan’s back door open. I glance behind me and smile when I see him headed my way, but he looks upset.

“Hey,” I say, standing up to join him. “You okay?”

“The paperwork for the sale’s all signed.” He lets out a heavy breath and runs a hand through his hair. “It looks like we both have big confessions coming up.”

I take in his tight jaw and the heaviness in his gaze. “You don’t look thrilled.”

Tristan’s gaze turns distant. “You should have seen my dad’s face. He looked like he was going to break down at any minute. And I don’t blame him. He’s given his whole life to our retirement centers. To Seaside Oasis. I feel like I’m disappointing him. That I’m being selfish and ungrateful for everything he’s done for me.”

I wrap my arms around his waist, my notebook in my hand making it slightly awkward, but I manage. “You’re the least selfish man I know, Tristan. And your dad wants you to be happy.”

“I know, I just …” He shakes his head. “What if I don’t enjoy coaching? What if I gave up all of this”—he gestures around us—“for some vague hope that choosing my own path will bring me the fulfillment I’m searching for?”

I don’t say anything this time. I just hold him, letting him talk.

“I’ve always wanted to coach. And I know I could be good at it, but the tradeoff suddenly feels a lot steeper—a lot more permanent—than I thought it would.” His gaze drops to me. “And California’s a long way from here. From my family. And from you.”

I let go of him and take a small step back so he can’t feel the slight trembling of my hands. “I know something that could maybe help.”

His brow drops, his eyes narrowing slightly. “What’s that?”

My heart is trembling inside me, and I hope I’m not being reckless. That he won’t think I’m pressuring him to move quicker in our relationship than he’s ready to. “It occurred to me that as an author, I can work from anywhere. Including California.” There. It’s an offer to go with him, but a vague one. He can make of it what he will.

Tristan searches my expression so intently I’m pretty sure he’s trying to decide if I’m serious. “You’d move to California?”

I give a small shrug like I didn’t just suggest I’d pack up my entire life and move across the country for him. “If you’re there, that’s where I want to be.”

Tristan’s lips break into the most glorious smile I’ve ever seen, and I breathe a little easier. “You’re serious right now?”

“I am.”

“But you love it here. And your family’s here.”

“But you’ll be there.”

He stares at me, his smile locked in place. Then his finger slips through the beltloop of my pants, and he pulls me against him, pressing his lips to mine. His arms engulf me, and our kiss is deep and full of all the best feelings that love encompasses—hope, joy, excitement, understanding, and even a bit of uncertainty.

“Ewwwww.” Jack’s voice forces us from each other’s embrace, and we see not only Jack but also Serenity and Walker standing on the back porch, sporting an array of expressions.

“Eww is right,” Walker says, but his lips are noticeably lifted upward at the corners. “You two go inside and tell your mom we’ll be there soon. I’m going to have a chat with Auntie Capri and her boyfriend.”

“They aren’t in trouble, are they?” Serenity asks, her big doe eyes turning on us.

“I’m not ruling out anything yet,” he says.

I scrunch up my nose and shake my head to indicate to her that Walker’s teasing, and that seems to pacify her.

“In you go,” Walker says, opening the door, and Serenity and Jack file inside obediently. He adjusts his hat and stuffs his hands in his pockets, then starts in our direction. When he gets close, he flicks his head in the house. “Since Tala and Heath have their hot date tonight courtesy of you two babysitting, I think they want to get the kids fed so they can head out right after.”