Summer Ever After: A Sweet Romantic Comedy

Chapter 22

Janeand I sprawl out on the seat cushions in the middle of the boat. We converted the chairs into a flatbed so we could spread the picnic food between us.

“That was delicious,” I say, rubbing my stomach where the sandwich and chips now reside. “Thanks.”

Jane starts gathering things up. “You can thank Phoenix Park.”

There’s an edge of bitterness to her voice that usually isn’t there. “So, who’s next on your list? Tristan Palmer?” My stomach coils with jealousy from just mentioning her with another guy.

“Tristan’s been hanging out with Capri. He’s not an option.”

I feel a little relieved until I remember if it’s not Tristan, it’s just going to be someone else.

“You know, I think I’m done with this whole dating thing.” She shoves the food back into the cooler, her movements getting more aggressive as she talks. “My whole life is make-believe. Cat’s right. These tropes are just plot devices for books. They’re not real. They aren’t going to lead to my happily ever after.”

My heart sinks with each word she says. I mean, I agree with what she’s saying, but that’s me—negativity rules my mind.

She stops cleaning and snaps her eyes to me. “You were right to call me Pollyanna. I’m blindly optimistic to the point of being naive.”

Oh, I’m such a jerk.

My shoulders drop, and my stomach fills with guilt. “I didn’t mean it in a bad way. I like how you always look on the bright side. It’s one of your best qualities. It was supposed to be a compliment.”

“No, you’re right. I’ve just been too stupid to see it. For years, I thought people who spouted off phrases like ‘Toxic Positivity’ just made that up to justify their negative thoughts and pessimistic belief systems. But I see it now. I’m the poster child for toxic positivity.” A small laugh drifts out with her breath. “I think it’s because I carry little to no emotional baggage from my childhood. Like you said, my family life was idyllic.”

My expression drops into a grimace. “Did I say that?”

“Yeah, after the coed softball game. You said I grew up in the easiest family dynamic ever, and you’re right. I blame my parents” unconditional love for why I can’t live in the real world. I’ve always been taken care of, had confidence, rolled with the punches of life, been happy. But it’s that unwavering happiness that’s ruined me. What I thought was a good thing about my personality is actually my downfall.”

“Jane”—I dramatically shake my head—“don’t listen to anything I said. I’m messed up and extremely unhappy. That’s a recipe for very bad advice.”

She forces a fake smile that doesn’t match her usually sunny disposition. “No, it’s fine. I’m glad I recognize this now instead of ten years from now when I’m still single and not sure why. I’ve been living in fantasyland ever since I was little, and it’s time I grow up and face the harsh realities of life.”

I feel awful.

My stupid outlook on life has rubbed off on Jane. I’ve dimmed the brightest light there ever was, and I’ve never hated myself more.

I have to fix this—whatever it takes.

“Just stop.” I grab her wrists, forcing her eyes to shift to me. “Pessimism doesn’t look good on you. So you had a bad couple of weeks with this whole dating thing. That doesn’t mean things aren’t going to turn around and work for you. You just have to keep trying.”

She rolls her eyes, pulling out of my grasp. “I think we can all agree that the Summer of Jane Hayes was a stupid idea.”

“No, I reject that statement. It was a great idea. You were working with your strengths. Using what you had. Playing it where it lies.”

Her chin drops as her brows lift. “Huh?”

“In golf, we have this rule where you play the ball where it lies—meaning you have to take your shot from wherever the ball lands on the course. If it drops into a bunker, or a rough patch, or behind a tree or any other obstacle, you can’t pick it up and put it back on the fairway to make things easier. You have to play it where it lies. That’s what you’re doing. You live on this tiny island that you never want to leave. You grew up with the healthiest marriage as your example, was blessed with a happy childhood, and you love reading about romance. You’re taking all of that and working with what you have. That’s why the Summer of Jane Hayes is a great idea—because it’s so perfectly you.”

She bites her lip, staring back at me. “You’re not just saying that to make me feel better?”

“No, if anyone deserves to get their happy ending, it’s you.” My eyes soften. “So don’t give up until you get it.”

A hesitant smile tugs on the corners of her mouth. “But it’s not working.”

“Then I’ll help you.”

I cannot believe I’m offering to help. I must really feel bad about almost blowing this whole thing up.

“How can you help?”

“I don’t know. I’ll be like your wingman or your caddie, giving advice when you need it. I can even help set the stage for some of your tropes—whatever you need.”

Her hesitant smile turns into a full grin. “Okay.”

“Okay? Really?”

“Yes.” She laughs. “I’ll keep trying.”

“And if you need any help, I’m your man.”

She gives one overdone nod before shutting the cooler and pushing it under the captain”s chair.

There’s a small part of me that hates that I just convinced her to go out on more dates with men that aren’t me. But mostly, I’m just happy to see her smile again. It’s concerning how much Jane’s happiness means to me.

“We should probably get going.” She switches the motors to neutral and tries the key. The engine spurts and turns over, then immediately shuts down. “Oh, crap.” She tries again, panic dotting her brows.

I stand, walking to her side. “What’s wrong.”

“Um, I think we’re out of gas.”

“Are you sure?”

She scratches her shoulder. “Pretty sure.”

“Do you have a gas can on board?”

“Nope.”

“Are you sure?” I start looking around. “Maybe we should check.”

“I’m sure. I took it out this morning and left it in my garage.”

My brows pinch in confusion. “Why would you do that?”

“Don’t get mad, but I was trying to run out of gas—not with you, but on my date with Phoenix.”

“Let me guess. The stranded-together trope.”

“Exactly!”

Her face lights up with enthusiasm, and it’s the best thing I’ve ever seen. The real Jane is back, tugging at my heartstrings like only she can.

“How did you know about that trope?”

“It was one of the ones I read on your list the other day.”

“Right.” She holds up the radio, shaking it in front of me. “It’s not like I don’t have a way out of this. We’ll just radio to the marina, and they’ll send someone out.”

Stranded with Jane? There’s no other situation I’d rather be in today.

“Can we just wait a little while longer?” My hand covers hers, taking the radio from her fingers.

A flicker of attraction burns in my chest at the feel of her touch. Who am I kidding? That flicker first appeared hours ago when I saw her at the dock, and it”s gotten more intense every second after.

I put the radio back on its hook. “Let’s just stay a little while longer, until the U.S. Open is over. Would that be okay?”

She offers me the most adorable smile. “Sure.”