The Summer Deal (Wildstone #5)(18)

“And we’re doing this again why?” Olive asked, removing the last picture from the wall.

“You know why. I promised my sixteen Instagram followers.” Raina flicked a red reflector light on the now bare wall so Catherine could chase it. “Start recording, please.”

Olive pulled out her phone to capture a video of Catherine the Great Cat chasing the light.

For Raina’s sixteen Instagram followers.

Love was very strange.

Backing out of the living room unseen, Brynn was in her bedroom again, halfway through a buttermilk glazed, when she caught a shadow moving in the space between the bottom of her door and the hardwood floor.

Four feet. Two bare, two in heels.

She chomped on her donut, hoping the sugar would miraculously lower the blood pressure that her moms were keeping at stroke levels.

“Hello?” Raina called out.

Brynn bit her lower lip.

“Darling?” This from Olive.

Never alone . . .

Sure, she’d promised herself no more decisions, especially any life-altering ones, but this seemed like an emergency situation as it affected her mental health. Setting the donut down, she pulled out her phone and sent a text.

BRYNN: So here’s the thing. I recently promised myself no more life-altering decisions until I grew the hell up and could stop ruining my own life. So I need a life-altering decision-making committee.

ELI: What are the requirements?

BRYNN: They have to have my best interests at heart.

ELI: I could do that.

BRYNN: You think you can make decisions for me that will only be in my best interests?

ELI: Try me.

BRYNN: First of all, why did you not tell me your roommate was Kinsey? Were you being manipulative, or an asshole?

ELI: I deserve that. And I’m sorry I blindsided you. I didn’t think you’d even give it a shot if you knew. She doesn’t exactly present well. Can we still be friends?

BRYNN: To be determined.

ELI: Fair. And second of all?

BRYNN: I need out of my moms’ house before I lose the rest of my marbles. I’ve searched and searched, but there’s nothing I can afford. Except . . .

ELI: Here. If it helps, I can tell you it’s the right decision.

BRYNN: How do I know that?

ELI: Because your life-altering decision-making committee can one hundred percent assure you it is. Do we have a deal?

Brynn eyed the box of donuts.

ELI: If it makes you feel better, we could pinky swear on it.

In summer camp, pinky swearing had been a big thing. If you broke a pinky swear, you were never trusted again. And she had to admit, Eli had never broken a pinky swear. She looked at her phone. Once again, he was being patient, allowing her time, something that she had to admit was very new and very welcome.

BRYNN: Okay. I’m in.

ELI: Great. What do you need?

BRYNN: A lobotomy.

BRYNN SHOOK HER head at herself the entire drive through Wildstone and down the highway a few miles to the beach exit. She was still shaking her head at herself when she parked in front of the house she hadn’t imagined she’d ever see again.

It was a classic New England style, in ocean blue with white trim around the windows and a large deck that held a grill and a porch swing, along with a table and Adirondack chairs, all looking well lived in and loved.

It was dusk, and she knew there was nowhere prettier on earth than Wildstone at dusk. The sun was a huge, bright-red ball low on the horizon, flirting with the water’s edge, a few streaky clouds teasing the sun, the water’s whitecaps sparkling like diamonds.

She stood there at the end of the driveway staring at the gorgeous view and actually felt her blood pressure lower just a little bit. Not her pulse, though. Nope, that was still kicking from nerves.

Then she felt a hand slide under the strap of her duffel bag and remove it from her shoulder. She whipped around and Eli smiled.

“Sorry,” he said, and shouldered her bag. “It looked heavy.”

“What’s heavy is my life.”

He nodded like he understood that all too well, and she let her eyes wander over him, taking in the battered work boots, the faded and ripped jeans riding low on his hips, and the thin, olive drab cotton of the T-shirt with some complicated science formula on it stretched over broad shoulders. His hair was wet, like he’d just showered, but the sexy stubble on his jaw said he hadn’t shaved. He was barefoot and wearing a pair of reading glasses. Be still her heart. A sexy nerd.

A bark sounded, followed by paws scrabbling for purchase against the floor.

“Brace yourself,” Eli warned mildly.

What looked like a huge yellow polar bear came barreling out of the house. Mini. She gave another happy bark and started to jump on Brynn, but Eli stopped her with a calm but firm “Down.”

Mini sat, ears flapping, tongue lolling, an actual smile curving her canine mouth, which adorably wrinkled her face.

“If you remind her not to jump before she gets to you, you’ve got a better shot at not getting knocked flat on your ass,” he said. “Also beware of sitting on the ground to pet her. She’ll plant herself on you like you’re a dog bed.”

“Anything else?”

“Don’t leave anything where she can get it. She prefers to chew high-quality stuff too, like AirPods and expensive shoes.”

They both looked at Mini, whose tail was sweeping the ground. Brynn patted her on the head. “But she looks so cute.”