Page 84 of Plotting Summer

Walker’s hands are tucked in his pockets again, but he meets my gaze without reserve this time. “The whole Sunny Palmer thing is pretty darn cool, Capri.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell⁠—”

“I don’t blame you for not telling me. I’ve basically been the world’s suckiest brother. So I’m the one who’s sorry. Moving forward, I hope to be closer to the brother I should have been since Dad died. The brother that you deserve.” He gives a hint of a smile. “Though don't set your expectations too high.”

Without thinking, I wrap my arms around him. His body is stiff at first, but then he relaxes and returns my embrace. “I’ve missed you, Walker.” And I don’t just mean I’ve missed seeing him but that I miss the old Walker from when we were children. The one that I’m beginning to see again. I can’t help but think this has something to do with Jane bringing him back to us.

“I’ve missed you too.” Walker allows my hug for longer than I think he will before he finally pulls away.

“Maybe you should stick around.”

Walker shrugs. “Maybe I should.”

I don’t know if he means it, but as we head inside, I hope he does. Not that I’ll be here, but Jane will be. And I’m sort of coming around to the idea of my brother and my best friend falling in love. Sort of.

When Tristan pulls into the Seaside Oasis parking lot, my entire body is buzzing from nerves. I’m still trying to figure out exactly how I want to tell the small group of women that I’m Sunny Palmer. I stand by the decision. Outside of my family, these are the most obvious people to share the news with. And they’ll definitely help spread the word, so it won’t come as a total shock to Sunset Harbor residents when Maven drops the official announcement in a couple of days.

He puts the golf cart in park and glances over at me. “You ready for this?”

I turn to face him, propping up my knee on the seat. “What if, instead of me telling people, we just sail away into the sunset together?”

He chuckles.

“No, really. If you think about it, it’s the obvious answer here.”

His arm settles around me, and he mindlessly plays with the ends of my hair. “How big is this boat? Because it’d have to be big enough to fit your entire family plus my family. And Jane too.”

I purse my lips. “If my suspicions are correct, possibly Gemma as well.”

Tristan just shakes his head, smiling. “I suppose if that’s true, Virginia Sawyer will insist on coming, and I’m not sure how well she’ll fare being stuck on a boat with several Palmers. Though we might save on food rations if she leads another hunger strike.”

I give an airy laugh and take hold of Tristan’s hand, intertwining his fingers with mine. “You’re positive you don’t want to come inside with me? I’m confident all the ladies would love you being there. Plus you’ve read the book.”

“If I remember correctly, you were the one who said it would be weird if I came.”

“I take it back. It wouldn’t be weird at all.”

He laughs again. “I’ll be at my parents’ house right there. I have something important I want to talk with my dad about anyway.” He tips his head toward their lovely one-story, red-brick home with bright white shutters just across from Seaside Oasis. “If you need me for anything or want to leave earlier than you planned, I can be here in a few minutes.”

“Is your mom coming tonight?” The more familiar faces, the better.

“Yep.” Tristan tucks his lips inward as if he’s attempting not to smile.

“What is it?”

“She finished your book.”

“She suspects it’s me, doesn’t she?”

Tristan nods. “Right after you came to visit me at work yesterday, she stopped by with a brand-new copy from The Book Isle. She made me swear on pains of death that I’d read it.”

“Did you tell her?”

“I didn’t really need to. I simply confirmed I’ve read the book already.” He pauses. “Which I hope is okay? I knew she'd be here for the reveal today, so I figured it might be good to have one more person who already knows.”

“That's completely fine.” I drop my gaze from his, my nerves getting the better of me. “What was her reaction?”

Tristan’s hand moves beneath my chin, and he lifts my face to his. “She was beyond thrilled. And if I had to guess, most of the people at the book club will feel the same.”