Page 18 of Paging Dr. Summers

What kind of magic did Brooke possess that she could make Eden—who had been wearing a brave face since she’d arrived—confide in her so easily? I supposed I should have asked why my sister felt like she couldn’t talk to me so candidly. Not that it was a big mystery. I’d closed myself off to everyone, including those I loved most.

Brooke didn’t hesitate to put her arms around Eden, who, for all intents and purposes was practically a stranger. There they stood in the lake, the waves gently lapping up against them, holding on to each other for dear life like they’d known each other for years. I never understood women that way. You’d never catch me hugging some guy I’d just met in the middle of a lake—or anywhere, for that matter.

“My mom once told me it’s better to have a hurt heart than a whole one. Whole hearts give nothing away, but hurt hearts know what it feels like to give it all. Better to know what it feels like to have everything stolen than to have nothing worth stealing. Or so my mom thought.” Brooke patted Eden’s back.

Her mom sounded like one of those online psychologists people love to repost. Which didn’t mean she wasn’t right. She waspainfullyright. It felt as if life had stolen everything from me.

“Your mom was a wise woman.” Eden’s voice quavered.

“She sure thought so,” Brooke laughed. “I think it was the songwriter in her. The best artists know the highs and lows of life. It’s why we love their songs and stories so much. It’s why I love sharing them.”

“Honestly, you’re so good at it. The new content development team I’ve hired keeps telling me I should start a podcast.”

“You totally should.” Brooke squealed with delight. “It would fit so well with your brand.”

“I don’t have the vaguest idea how or where to start,” Eden lamented.

Brooke leaned away from her, something like pure joy radiating from her. “I could totally help you. Or at least tell you what I’ve learned so far. I’m still prettynew at it.”

“You could have fooled me. Honestly, your podcast is one of the best I’ve listened to.”

“Oh, my gosh, you’re going to make me cry.” Brooke waved a hand in front of her face. “This might be one of the best days of my life. Eden Russo loves my podcast.”

I feared where this was going. All this female bonding. Brooke was going to become a permanent fixture in our lives this summer—maybe forever, at this rate. This wasn’t good news for me.

Brooke looked directly at me, beaming, giving me no choice but to give her my full attention. “We’re all going to be the best of friends this summer.”

“I think so too,” Eden said.

Brooke’s face lit up even more. “I think your brother is going to need more time to think about it. But we’ll get him there.” She winked.

Why did she have to announce the uncomfortable truths out loud?

Eden turned toward me, her smile saying it all. No doubt she was enjoying this. If only she knew the torture I would have to endure all summer if Brooke was a part of it. Didn’t she see my attraction to Brooke causing me consternation and guilt? Or had I become so closed off that my feelings had become unrecognizable? Or did my kid sister like the thought of me in turmoil?

“Did you still want to learn how to paddleboard?” I asked awkwardly, not knowing what else to say. Apparently, though, it was hilarious, judging by Eden and Brooke’s laughter.

This was going to be a long summer.

“Of course.” Brooke walked out of the water toward the paddleboards waiting on the beach, tossing her long, wet tresses, not caring to notice that every man on the beach was admiring her—including me.

Eden made her way over to me and playfully nudged my arm. “Like what you see?” she whispered for my ears only.

Immediately, I averted my gaze. “I wasn’t looking at anything or anyone.” My lie came out stilted.

“Sometimes, the best things happen when we aren’t looking forthem.” She patted my arm before joining Sophie, who had given up on trying to dunk me.

I dared a peek at Brooke. She was holding up her paddleboard and waving me out of the water to join her on the shore. Why did I get the impression her invitations were going to be a common occurrence this summer and fighting them was going to be a losing battle? Brooke Crawford seemed determined to make me her friend. Would being friends with a beautiful woman be so awful? I had a feeling I was going to find out.

I COULDN’T BELIEVE I WAS at the Strawberry Festival. It felt like stepping into a modern-day fairy tale. My mother had spoken of it with such fondness that it had taken on a mythical quality in my mind. As I looked around, I saw booths brimming with strawberry-themed everything, including shortcakes, jams, crafts, and face painting.

Live music and laughter filled the air, adding to the enchantment, and the vibrant colors of summer swirled all around as delighted children weaved in and out of the stalls. There was a certain magic I couldn’t quite put my finger on. It was as if, for a moment, I was a child again, living out the stories my mother had told me.

If only I could have experienced this with Mom. I imagined her jumping onstage and, instead of the country ballads currently playing, belting out bangers like “What About Love” by Heart, or a Pat Benatar number. Or perhaps even one of her own songs, like my favorite, “Rebel Heartbeats.”

“What do you want to do first?” Jake asked.

Yep, I was on a date with the general manager from Granger’s. He’d asked for my number after I sought his opinion on wet suits, since Logan hadn’t been all that helpful—at least not with picking out a wet suit. Other than that, he’d been very helpful.

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