Chapter 15
Usually,I’m the star student at Monday morning administrative meetings, but today, I’m distracted.
I blame Capri and her texts.
My eyes drop to my lap, where my phone is safely hidden under the conference table. There’s another text from Capri about Tristan Palmer.
Capri
I don’t know why you’re freaking out. We’re just going on a bike ride to the lighthouse. It’s not a big deal.
I glance up at Mayor Barnes. He’s completely engrossed in a lively discussion with Blake about the Fourth of July cornhole tournament and how they’re going to manage the influx of teams who’ve already signed up to participate.
Deeming it safe, I quickly type out a response.
Jane
Stop downplaying everything that’s happening with you and Tristan. You’ve been in love with the man since you can remember. The fact that you two have been hanging out this weekend is HUGE. It’s okay to be excited about it.
Capri
Okay, fine. I’m excited about our bike ride later this afternoon.
What about you? Do you have a date lined up for tonight?
I take a quick peek at Mayor Barnes. He’s still going back and forth with Blake.
Jane
No date, but I am stopping by The Book Isle on my way home from work to get a pulse on Briggs Dalton. If all goes well, I’ll ask him out.
Capri
Since when did Briggs Dalton move back to the island?
Jane
He’s been here a little while, working in his mom’s bookstore. I’ll be sure to put any Sunny Palmer books I see front and center on the shelves. (winky-face emoji)
Capri
Don’t you dare!
I bite back my smile as I glance back up to the real conversation I’m supposed to be paying attention to.
Mayor Barnes taps the end of his pen on the desk as he talks. “I say we just start the cornhole tournament on Wednesday, July third, and then the championship game can be on the fourth.”
Blake frowns. “What if people have to work on the third and can’t play?”
After my disappointing date with Blake over the weekend, I have little patience for him today. The fact that we have to plan out his agenda item during the meeting is annoying. He’s over parks and rec. He should be able to figure out the cornhole logistics on his own time. It’s not rocket science.
I tip my phone toward me, firing off another text.
Jane
Did I tell you I went to breakfast with Ivy Brooks yesterday morning? You should’ve come. I didn’t even think to invite you. I’m not used to having you in town.
Capri
Ivy is more your friend than mine. I doubt she even knows who I am. It would’ve been weird if I came.
My brows drop. Yes, Ivy is closer to me than Capri. We were on student council together, but that was in high school. We’re all adults now. Just because Capri claims to be a wallflower doesn’t mean she can’t be friends with other people besides me. It’s time for her to get out of her shell.
Jane
Of course Ivy knows who you are. She finds out today how long she has to stay in Sunset Harbor. Maybe the three of us could get together before you leave town. What about tomorrow night?
Capri
We’re doing a family movie night at Tala’s house. Speaking of family, guess who stopped by for Sunday dinner yesterday?
Jane
Tristan???
Capri
No, Walker. We were so surprised when he showed up. He played dolls with Serenity, taught Jack how to golf, and even held Lucas. And on top of all that, he stayed and talked after dinner. It was wild—like he was actually trying.
I blink several times as I stare at her text.
Walker did what I said.
Something about that feels big, like he actually values my advice.
I don’t know why him connecting with his family makes my heart melt into a sloppy puddle and my stomach rapidly flutter, but it does.
It totally does.
And that sucks on so many levels.
Liking Walker is a complete betrayal to Capri. I haven’t been honest about my feelings for her brother our entire friendship. I’m sure she’d get over the deception from junior high, but what about now? I’m going behind her back, keeping her in the dark, and downplaying what I feel. But let’s set all that aside and just go with basic geography: Walker doesn’t live in Sunset Harbor and has absolutely no desire to stay. He said so himself. No amount of wishing this crush into real life is going to change that.
I have to find a way to shut these feelings down.
“Earth to Jane!”
My head jerks up. All eyes are on me.
“Sorry. I was reading a text.” I pick up my pen and scoot forward like I’m ready to work. “What did you ask?”
Mayor Barnes raises his brows at me. “How are the rest of the Fourth of July activities coming along?”
This is where I shine.
I sit up taller. “Marlyss Gapmeyer is running the pancake breakfast that morning and has everything she needs for that. Beau is going to finalize the parade route. We already have twenty-five entries, mostly small businesses and families who want to decorate their own golf carts and bikes.” I glance down at my paper, jogging my brain. “I’ve already coordinated with the vendors for food. The elementary school will take care of the beach games. Mo and the Kokomos are excited to headline the dance again for the fifteenth year in a row.” I smile at Mayor Barnes. “And you’re in charge of the fireworks that night. So I think everything is in place. It should be a great community event.”
Mayor Barnes nods in appreciation. “Nobody takes care of this island like you do, Jane. What would we do without you?”
“You’ll never have to know. I’m here for the long haul.”
They couldn’t get rid of me, even if they tried.
“Well”—Mayor Barnes looks around the room—“I think that’s everything. Good work, everyone.”
He stands, gathering his papers, and that’s when I pounce.
“Mayor, there is one other thing I wanted to talk to you about.”
“Follow and talk.” He gestures for me to come with him.
My footsteps are small and quick as I try to keep up. For a short, heavyset man, Randall Barnes is surprisingly fast.
“I’ve been thinking a lot about the funds for the community pool.”
“Jane, you know as well as I do that the city council voted against our last-ditch efforts to allocate the funds for the pool. We’ll have to table it until next year. Maybe after the reelection in the fall, we’ll have a better chance at getting it to pass.”
He walks into his office, taking a seat in the plush leather chair in front of the oak desk.
I stand across from him, deciding not to sit. “What if we didn’t rely on city funds for the pool? What if we raised our own money to make it happen?”
It’s something I’ve been thinking about since last Friday night when I lied to Walker and said the Summer of Jane Hayes was about me trying to help earn money for the pool. Yes, lies are bad, but in this case, it was good. It’s actually a great idea.
“And just how are we going to raise that much money?”
This is the part that’s tricky, but I’m confident in my persuasive skills, and I think I can make it happen.
“What if we held a golf fundraiser? People would come to the island to play on the Belacourt course with none other than PGA golf pro Walker Collins.”
I haven’t actually asked Walker if he’d be willing to do this, and I don’t know how long we have until he leaves again. That’s the tricky part. I’ve brainstormed all weekend, and I think we could earn a ton of money. Actually, I’ve thought a lot about Walker all weekend, but that’s not relevant, so I don’t know why I brought it up.
“That could work.” Mayor Barnes smiles. “There are so many wealthy people, not just on our island but on the mainland, that would pay a pretty penny to golf with Walker Collins. Maybe he could even get some of his pro friends to come to the event as well.”
“Maybe.” I nod, even though I know it’s a stretch.
“Have you already talked to Walker about this, and he’s on board?”
“Of course.” I get way too animated when I lie, but the mayor doesn’t know that. “Walker loves the idea!”
“Really? I always took Walker as the type of guy that doesn’t want to be too involved in things.”
“No, he’s a big community guy. Wants to help out Sunset Harbor however he can.”
“Let’s put it on the calendar, then.”
“Great.” I take a step toward the door. “I’ll talk with Walker about a date that works with his schedule and let you know.”
By the time I escape his office, I’m in a deep sweat.
I just promised Walker Collins to my boss.
How the heck am I going to deliver?