Page 33

“Oh. So he’s not seeing anyone, then?”

“Dalt,” Austin warned.

“What, I’ve been gone a long time? It’s not an unreasonable question.”

“Too fucking long, my dude. And no, as far as I know, he’s still single. And so am I, thanks for asking.”

“Well, I figured that much.” Austin managed to punch me in the arm without taking his eyes off the road.

“Anyway, you’ll catch up on boring Breakwater gossip soon enough. Tell me about Alaska. Did you meet any hot, burly fishermen?”

“Yeah, dozens of them.”

“Dude! Are you seeing someone?”

“No! You just asked if they were hot, not if I was hooking up with them!”

Austin whipped his head in my direction, piercing me with knowing eyes before turning back to the road. “Uh-huh.”

I ignored the look and the snark and tapped out a text to Turner.

Are you enjoying jolly old England? Are you really touring coffee shops!?! Does that mean Operation Latte is finally a go for BT&G?

I stared at that text for a long time before I sent it.

I might not have if Austin hadn’t said, “Maybe I’ll have to come visit you next summer and meet some of those burly anglers.”

“Austin, please don’t talk about hot fisherman in front of our parents! I was there learning how to do research!”

I refreshed my phone the whole drive back to the beach. At my house, it was as if no time had passed. Austin and I were on the couch playing video games, my phone within reach on the coffee table. Finally my phone pinged that familiar chime while I was firing missiles at cartoon bad guys with Austin.

I tossed my game controller so fast in favor of my cell phone that Austin tore his view from the TV. “Dude, we were winning.”

“Sorry, I just …” I stood up as if I’d received a text from the King of England himself.

You’re back!! Cheerio from jolly old England.

I chuckled and stared at my phone.

I came for a toy convention, but Anita insisted I spend some time here, so yeah, I’ve been checking some places out. It’s so interesting here. Everything feels so …

He paused, and I tensed. Turner had taken off once before for a new town and had made it his home. Was he falling in love with England? Was he never coming home? What did he have to tie him down to Breakwater? A woman he’d met a few years ago. A building he could sell to an international corporation for a shit ton of money. I stared at my phone, waiting, waiting, waiting for that final word.

Historic.

Before I could find the right, jokey reply to remind him that Breakwater had a rich history as well, the three dots returned and then another message.

It’s been an amazing trip, and I’m really glad I came. I bought a bunch of unique toys and books, and I have some really great ideas for the expansion.

I couldn’t even think of a reply before another message popped up.

Don’t worry, it’s gonna include a café, just like you suggested. I’m still working out what the rest of the shop will look like. I can’t wait to get home and get started on it.

“Home,” I said out loud as Austin tossed his controller and it clattered near mine. He looked up at me.

“Whelp, we’ve lost the battle, Dalt. Dude, you’re blushing. Who the fuck are you texting with? Are you sure you didn’t meet a hot fisherman up there?”

I can’t thank you enough for the idea, Dalton. It’s going to be amazing.