Chapter 2
Fifteen Years Ago
7th Grade
Dear Diary,
I’m sorry I haven’t written in forever. School started a few weeks ago. I can’t believe I’m in seventh grade! My classes aren’t as fun as last year, people-wise. But boy-wise, this year is off to a good start! A new family moved in—the Collins. They have a girl my age named Capri. I saw her reading Twilight at lunch and knew she was someone I wanted to be friends with. I walked right up to her and said hi, and we’ve been hanging out every day since.
Capri’s older brother, Walker, is in eighth grade. He’s sooooooo cute. I don’t know what exactly I like about him (other than being totally hot). He just has this way with me…or maybe with every girl. I don’t know, but he makes me laugh. Maybe he thinks I’m an airhead, or maybe he just thinks I’m his little sister’s friend. Or maybe he never thinks about me. Who knows?
I haven’t told Capri that I like her brother. I think it would hurt her feelings because she says girls at school use her to get close to him. I’m totally not using her! I love Capri. We have the exact same interests, like reading romance books, watching romance movies, going to the beach, and shopping. She’s like my best friend. So, I’ll just keep my crush on her brother to myself.
I can’t wait to be in love someday. I’ll find a guy who loves me and will dance in the rain with me. And everybody will say, ‘I have never seen a couple so in love.’ We’ll be perfect for each other. I just know it.
Jane
DidI go overboard for my date tonight?
Define overboard.
I glance down at my fitted dress, which is a little more low-cut and mini-cut than I typically wear. There’s a perky line of cleavage—at least from my angle—I’m proud of, and my legs are bronzed from spending a few hours in the sun earlier today.
I’m killin’ it.
The Summer of Jane Hayes is in motion, and Beau Palmer isn’t going to know what hit him.
This is where Beau becomes attracted to me, wants to date me, kiss me, and eventually marry me. My little black cocktail dress evokes those kinds of feelings.
Happily Ever After starts tonight.
I split my long brown hair in half, fluffing strands of loose curls over each shoulder as I wait for Beau at our table. Beach Break Bar and Grill is packed with locals and day travelers finishing off their weekend right. It’s live music night, which is always a treat. Mo and the Kokomos’s second-rate version of Bob Marley’s “Jammin’” has people singing along and bobbing their heads. I fix my menu so it’s square with the edge of the table, then I shift the knife across from me so it’s not pointed in my direction—just keeping busy.
Maybe I should use this extra time to review the list of tropes I made earlier today. I also made a list of available single men on the island. There’s nothing wrong with being organized. I dig through my purse, finding the pink papers. I wasn’t trying to print the lists in the color of love—I’m not that crazy. I’d made baby shower invitations for Mayor Barne’s daughter and forgot to switch out the paper, that’s all. But the pink is kind of fitting.
A slight smile touches my lips as I read each trope and micro-trope, reminding myself all that I love about love. Reading this, my Summer of Jane Hayes plan doesn’t seem so far-fetched. This can totally happen.
I shove the papers back in my purse and fix my hair again.
My back is to the door, but I hear Beau’s voice greeting people as he walks into the beachside bar. I turn over my shoulder with a dazzling smile and stop—my breath stalled from surprise.
Beau wore his navy police uniform. To a date. Making me entirely overdressed.
My brows drop, and then I remember that a man in uniform is totally a thing. I can work with this, so I perk back up, dazzling smile and all.
The crowded tables and barstools act like a maze as he walks across the restaurant. I take a moment to study him—no, check him out like any other woman would do if she hadn’t been friends with him her whole life.
It’s a good package. Not package. Jeez.
I’m saying Beau Palmer is the complete package. He’s tall. Friendly face. Nice smile. Light-brown hair. What’s not to like?
I just have to pretend I don’t remember the one time during kindergarten recess when Beau had peed his pants.
Instead, I focus on my feelings and the flutters in my heart.
Hmm.
There’s no fluttering.
That’s okay. This relationship is a work in progress. Stomach flutters can come later. This isn’t the love-at-first-sight trope. The slow, agonizing pining of friends to more is what I’m after.
“Jane, how’s it going?” Beau asks with his nice smile.
“Hi.” I stand, giving him the full preview of my dress.
“Wow. You look great.”
Appraise away, Beau Palmer. Appraise away.
His eyes end their roaming way too quickly, popping back up to meet my gaze. “Are you going somewhere after dinner?”
Based on his lack of reaction, I should lie and say I am. But there’s always the possibility that things go well on this date, and I don’t want Beau to end the night early because he thinks I have somewhere to be. Best to keep my schedule clear.
“No, I’m not going anywhere.” I wave him off. “I just felt like dressing up. I rarely go out, so…”
Beau nods a few too many times, and I feel like we need some physical contact to break the iceberg forming between us. He must think so, too, because his hand darts out to shake mine just as I lean in for a hug. His fingers smoosh against that line of cleavage I was proud of earlier, but I’m committed to the hug. There’s no turning back now. We both end the awkward body contact as quickly as possible without acknowledging the accidental forced groping—it’s better this way.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.” He takes his seat, scooting his chair in. “Have you been here long?”
“Just a few minutes. Did you come straight from work?” I rest my elbow on the table and my chin in my hand, very flirtatious-like. “I love a man in uniform.”
“I chose my dark-navy uniform today instead of classic blue.”
“Excellent choice. You look very handsome.”
“I’m just trying to keep up with you.”
I blush in response, batting my eyes. At least, I try to blush. Can a person force that kind of reaction? I don’t know. But who cares? We’re being cute and flirty, and that’s all that matters.
This date is off to a great start, minus Beau’s hand smooshing against my chest. I guess that could be considered great, depending on your goals.
“Hey, you two.” Marlyss Gapmeyer stands over us with a pitcher of water. It’s no surprise she is at the restaurant tonight—she owns the Beach Break Bar, and Sunday evenings are usually one of the busiest nights.
“Hey, Marlyss.” Her dark-brown hair is pulled back into a low ponytail, the tail part being very short since she had Holland chop her hair off last week. “Are you nervous about the city council meeting tomorrow night? It’s a controversial topic around the island.”
She starts pouring water into each of our cups. “I’ve been talking to a lot of people, and the majority of them want to rebuild the community pool.”
“A rebuild could definitely help patch up some of the lingering resentment people have about the last pool.” Beau looks my way, as if trying to convince me of something. “I want what’s best for Sunset Harbor.”
“I know that.”
“Hailey and her friends are really hoping we get the funding for the pool,” Marlyss says. “She’s already planning on working there as a lifeguard.”
“Man, I can’t believe you have a daughter old enough to be a lifeguard at the pool.” Beau smiles. “How old is Hailey now?”
“Just turned fifteen and started a little babysitting business on the island.” Marlyss pulls out her notepad. “But that’s enough about that. Are you two ready to order?”
I hand her back the menu. “I’ll just have my usual.”
“I’ll have my usual too.”
Marlyss points at me. “One teriyaki chicken rice bowl”—she points at Beau—“and a bleu cheese bacon burger.” We both nod as she tucks her notepad back into her apron. “Coming right up.”
“So, I’m glad you asked me here tonight. I’ve been meaning to get together with you.” He leans back in his chair, giving me a chance to notice his broad shoulders.
Have you been working out, Beau?
My smile widens partly from his nice shoulders and partly from what he said. “You’ve been meaning to get together with me?”
“Yeah, I feel like we have the same goals. We want the same things.”
Oh my gosh. Beau Palmer already loves me.
“I couldn’t agree more.” I shrug innocently, as if I’m not already planning our beach wedding.
“We both love Sunset Harbor and want to stay here forever.”
“Exactly.” I can’t believe how smoothly this first date is going.
“And we want what’s best for the community.”
Community?
What does the community have to do with our love story? Unless he’s thinking the locals would love seeing two of their own get together.
“I have a proposal…” he continues.
We’ve been friends forever, but a wedding proposal now is a little fast, even for me. We skipped all the good parts of the relationship.
“…Like a proposal I want to put before the city council soon, and I”d love to be able to count on your support.”
Instead of knocking the wind out of my sails, it knocked over my fake wedding arch.
“The city council?” That’s not the kind of proposal I was expecting.
“Well, yeah. As the city administrator, you’re so influential around the island. Everyone loves you. A good word from you is worth its weight in gold, and we’re such good friends. I’d love your support with the city council.”
“Oh.”
I’m such an idiot.
To Beau, this “date” is a casual business meeting between two friends.
He studies my chagrin. “Unless you don’t want to get involved. If you prefer to stay out of the dealings with the council, I’ll understand.”
“No, it’s not that. I just…” I scratch the back of my neck, feeling a little sheepish.
How do I explain to Beau that, last night at book club, I told my friends Cat and Holland I was going to fall in love this summer by using all the classic romance tropes we read about in our favorite books? And I plan on using these tropes with men who already live on the island.
When I verbalize the plan, it sounds completely ridiculous.
And immature.
And desperate.
And fake.
That’s why I’d rather not tell Beau about my summer plans and how they relate to him.
No, the Summer of Jane Hayes sounds better in my head—it makes more sense there—so that’s where the plan will stay.
Instead, I look at him with a guilty smile. “Well, I’m embarrassed to say this, but I kind of thought tonight was a date.”
The look of surprise on his face is enough to make me consider moving off the island forever. Just consider it, not really do it.
“A date?” The wheels turn in his head as he puzzles it out. “Wouldn’t that be weird since we’ve been friends our whole life?”
Yes, it could be weird.
This whole plan is weird. I flippantly said it to prove a point to Cat when she made fun of romance tropes. But the more I thought about it, the more I got on board. I do want to fall in love with someone who lives on this island. Why not now? Why not this summer?
That’s why I woke up this morning with a renewed vow to actually give this falling-in-love thing a try. So I texted my good pal Beau and asked him if he was free tonight for dinner. I just wish I had used the word date in my text.
I lift my shoulder, smiling at him as I explain my rationale. “You want to stay on the island. I want to stay on the island. I thought it might be wise to see if something could happen between us. Like you said, we’re friends. We already have half the relationship down.” I hold my breath, waiting for his response.
“You know I love you, Jane.” Beau smiles that sweet smile that has endeared me to him for years. “You know, why not?”
My brows pop up. “Really?”
“Yeah, you’re right. There are a lot of reasons why you and I make sense. We should see if there’s something between us.”
“So it’s a date?” I’m probably too eager, but it’s Beau. We’re not playing any games here.
“It’s a date.”
We both laugh, but the feeling shifts. Awkwardness blows in like a tropical storm, which is strange because I’ve never felt awkward around Beau. Thank goodness Marlyss shows up with the food and saves the day.
“Okey dokey. I’ve got both of your usuals.” She sets the plates down in front of us.
“It looks delicious,” I say, happy for the distraction.
“Yeah, smells great. Thanks, Marlyss.”
“Enjoy!” I want to grab hold of her apron strings as she turns to leave to keep her here so I don’t have to make date conversation with Beau, but I don’t. I’m a grown woman who wants to fall in love. Putting myself out there is the only way. Proactive Jane, for better or worse.
“So, Beau.” I stir the rice in my chicken bowl, avoiding eye contact. “How are you liking Sunset Harbor since you’ve been back?”
“It’s exactly as I remember. Good people. Good food.” He gestures to his burger. “I didn”t realize how much I loved it until I left. It”s just a great place to live.”
“I couldn’t agree more.”
“Have you ever considered moving away?”
Sunset Harbor and the people here are my rock-solid foundation. I couldn’t fathom living anywhere else.
“No.” I shake my head, giving myself a moment to chew before continuing. “My whole life is wrapped up in this island. I never want to leave.”
Beau nods and then takes a bite, so I do too. We’re chewing in silence. This conversation feels strained and robotic, and I don’t know why. What happened to the flirty banter from a couple minutes ago?
Maybe I need to lean on a trope. You know, get this party started. When all else fails, rely on the cliches. They’ll launch us into act two of our love story.
Beau’s eyes drift around the room, so I quickly place a small piece of rice in my hair. Tonight, when I go to brush the sticky strand, I’m sure I’ll regret this decision. But for now, I’m baiting him to extract something from my hair—a favorite micro-trope of mine. Usually, the item in the woman’s hair gets there a bit more organically, but beggars can’t be choosers.
“Mo’s band sounds really good,” Beau says with appreciation. “I haven’t heard them in a long time.”
I pull my shoulders back and lengthen my neck, really giving him a chance to notice the piece of rice. “Yeah, they’re legendary on the island. They play the same fifteen songs over and over, but why change what’s working, you know?”
“Yeah, stick with the classics.” His eyes drop back to his food. “Tell me how you got started working in the mayor’s office. You’ve been city administrator for three years now, right?”
“Yep.” My shoulders sink, and I do my best not to roll my eyes. He’s completely oblivious to the rice in my hair. I might need to do something more drastic, use a trope he can’t miss.
What about fake choking? I know that’s a little extreme—or maybe a lot extreme— but I like the damsel-in-distress vibe that comes with it. And I’m all in, so let’s get extreme.
Beau will have to put his arms around me to save me. The high-stress moment will bond us together, and he’ll be my knight in shining armor. I can totally see that being the first step to falling in love.
I’ll have to do my best not to say I told you so to Cat and Holland every time Beau and I tell the story of how we fell in love for the next fifty years.
I just have to find the right moment to pretend to choke.
So small talk it is until the opportunity presents itself.