Chapter 14
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Caitlin beamed up at Michael as they walked along the sidewalk together, side by side. It was a clear, crisp morning—the air was starting to give tantalizing hints of the coming autumn. Michael’s hand was warm in hers, and her heart felt light and peaceful. They often walked into town together like that, but Caitlin was appreciating it that morning more than usual.
“I’m so thankful I get to see you in the morning like this,” she said, squeezing his hand.
“It’s so nice,” he agreed. “I love getting to start my day out with you.”
They beamed at each other for a few more steps, and then he said softly, “I can’t wait until we wake up together in the same house every day.”
Her heart fluttered, hoping that his words meant that an engagement between the two of them was coming soon. As they reached the coffee shop, she was on cloud nine, daydreaming—as she often had before—of a life in which she was married to Michael.
“Have a wonderful day, sweetheart,” she said to him, intending to part ways with him at the door like she usually did.
He shook his head, smiling at her. “Why don’t you come on inside? I’ll make you something special to take to the cruise ship with you. A latte? Caramel macchiato?”
She beamed at him. “Sure. How about a cappuccino?”
“You got it.”
They stepped inside the coffee shop together, and Caitlin yelped as something completely unexpected happened—a burst of confetti descended on them from the ceiling.
“What on earth?” Michael cried, glancing around his store with a look of alarm.
Caitlin started to laugh, brushing shiny gold confetti off her shoulders. “Is it someone’s birthday today?” she asked. “One of the employees?”
Michael shook his head, causing confetti to tumble out of his hair like paper stars. “I have no idea what this is all about.”
They stepped further into the coffee shop, and Caitlin’s eyebrows rose in surprise when she saw that the confetti wasn’t the only new decoration—there were dolphin pictures taped all over Tidal Wave Coffee, as well as a massive blow-up dolphin placed behind the front counter.
“What on earth?” she said, bewildered. “What is all of this for? Dolphins?”
Michael was frowning, but he didn’t look confused anymore. “I know what this is,” he said. “When Janelle and I were dating, we used to spam each other with dolphins as a sign that we demanded a surfing rematch.”
“Oh,” she said, suddenly feeling chilly. She didn’t like that Janelle had done that, and she felt uncomfortable at the thought of Michael having had fun traditions and inside jokes with another woman—especially a woman like Janelle.
“She started it,” he said, seeming to sense Caitlin’s discomfort. “And we were casual friends before we started dating, and that’s when the dolphin spamming started. But this —” He gestured to the coffee shop. “I could get her arrested for this,” he joked. “It’s vandalism.”
She chuckled, feeling reassured by his words and his reaction. She had to admit that the whole thing was completely ridiculous—she’d never even heard of someone doing something so over-the-top.
At that moment, the front door of the shop opened, and Janelle stepped inside. She was wearing street clothes instead of a wet suit that day, and her outfit was sleek and athletic, as if she’d just come in from a run. She grinned wolfishly at Michael and strutted across the coffee shop toward him.
“You’re here, perfect!” She tossed her hair, not even looking at Caitlin or acknowledging her presence. “Well?” She stood there, smiling, as if expecting Michael to drop everything and immediately take her up on her surfing offer.
“Well what?” Michael asked—not unkindly, but with thinning patience.
“Don’t you remember what all this means?” Janelle asked, gesturing to the decorated coffee shop.
“I do,” he said slowly, with emphasis, “but you’re referencing something we used to do a long time ago. I’m not interested in surfing with you, Janelle. Now I have other things to attend to.” He wrapped his arm around Caitlin for emphasis, and she beamed at him.
Janelle, however, didn’t seem to be able to take no for an answer. “But, Michael,” she wheedled, giving him puppy eyes, “it’s not every day that another professional surfer comes to Blueberry Bay. You should take me up on my offer.”
When he didn’t respond, and instead just stood there with his arm around Caitlin, Janelle gave a hair flip and left the coffee shop.
Both Michael and Caitlin stared at the door after she had left, dumbfounded.
“I… I can’t believe her,” Caitlin blurted. “Like—I’m right here! She’s being so obvious.”
He nodded, still frowning. “She’s used to getting attention. Clearly. I think it’s driving her crazy that she can’t get mine and she’s determined to keep trying harder.” He kissed Caitlin’s forehead, smiling. “But she isn’t going to get my attention. I only have eyes for you.”
She smiled back at him, feeling grateful that she had such a sweet, steadfast boyfriend.
“I believe you,” she told him. “And I trust you.”
“But it’s annoying,” he said, and they both laughed.
She watched him as he started to whip up a cappuccino for her, feeling lucky despite how uncomfortable the whole thing still made her.
I wish I could pull the fiancée card, she thought wistfully. Being Michael’s girlfriend may not seem like that big of a deal to Janelle, but she’d have to take notice if I was his fiancée. That would show her just how serious we are about each other.
She smiled happily as Michael glanced up and winked at her. Maybe she would be able to call herself his fiancée soon.