Page 34 of One Happy Summer

“Thanks for trying. There are plenty of them out there to inspire me. But right now, inspiration isn’t enough, and I’m not sure what I want to do next.”

“I’m sure whatever you decide to do, it’ll be great,” I say.

He lets out another heavy breath. “I’m not so sure right now. Maybe you should ask me next year.”

“I will,” I tell him, and I mean it.

Slowly, we’ve been inching toward each other as we’ve been talking. Not on purpose, but I’m guessing because of the trampoline mat and probably something to do with physics, which I have zero understanding of, but it must be science that’s happening here. It’s science that’s drawing us toward each other. At least that’s what I’m telling myself. I don’t want to think it’s possible that we’ve been doing it on our own, like a magnetic sort of attraction that can’t be avoided.

Briggs is so close right now that if I leaned in, just a little, I could kiss him. If I wanted. Do I want to? I kind of do. But I also don’t because I already did that once and it was a total foolish jerk-girl move. It was a really great kiss, though . . .

Presley James, stop it right now.

There will be no kissing. I’m grateful to Briggs for wanting to help me get through this summer, and I need to keep things on the friendly side. It’s for the best. Plus, and this is a big plus,except for kissing me back the other night, he’s shown no signs of wanting anything other than friendship. This is a good thing. I’ll keep repeating that until I believe it. This. Is. A. Good. Thing.

Briggs and I can be friends, and that’s exactly what I need for the summer.

I turn away from him, lying on my back, looking at the twinkling stars above us. That was a good decision to put some distance between us. I’m proud of myself.

I, Presley James, solemnly swear to keep my lips and hands to myself this summer.

It’s how it must be.

“You don’t need to do this, you know,” I tell him as we walk back to the resort, the humid air and the lovely sea breeze surrounding us. We took a pathway along the coastline, and honestly, it’s kind of a perfect night.

Just like Saturday night, I escaped via bicycle, which Briggs, glasses restored to his handsome face, is currently walking back, his big hands on the handlebars as he guides it.

“I don’t mind,” he says. “Since I can’t drive you back, this is the next best thing.”

“Do you even have a car?”

He chuckles. It’s low and deep. “I do—it’s on the mainland. Parked in a lot near the port where the ferry stops. We go there often, since there aren’t a lot of options for food and clothes on the island.”

“It feels so secluded here, like another world,” I tell him, keeping my eyes on the darkened path we’re on.

“It’s definitely unique.”

“It’s also really dark out here,” I say, a little tiny chill creeping up my spine. There are hardly any lamps along this path. Anything could jump out at any moment.

He bumps me with his elbow, and I look over to catch a smile on his face, even in the limited lighting. “You scared, Presley James?”

“No, Briggsy,” I say, my tone mocking.

“Ah, you remembered,” he says.

“I filed it under things to keep forever,” I say, tapping the side of my head.

“Well, you don’t have to worry about the dark, because we’re not really known for crime around here. Or gator attacks.”

“But . . . there are gators?” I ask, moving slightly closer to Briggs. Not because I think he can save me, but because he is much more muscly than I am and would probably be a better meal.

He chuckles again, and I swear the sound is like a warm blanket. I also love how easy it is for Briggs to laugh. I feel likemost of the men I’ve spent time with don’t get my humor, or they just don’t really laugh. I think Declan Stone was born without a humor gene. The man is so full of himself.

Briggs and I are silent now, our feet padding along the walkway, with the sounds of the bicycle wheels and the waves breaking against the shore as our background soundtrack.

“Thanks for tonight,” I finally say. “I had a summer barbecue and jumped on a trampoline. Look at me.”

“You’re a summer gal already,” he says.

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