Page 70 of Three Little Wishes

“Wow. I wasn’t expecting that. Were you?”

“More like I was hoping Cami’s Flynn was your dad.” She made a face. “Sorry. I didn’t mean it the way it sounded.”

He glanced at her. “My mom died seven years ago.”

“I’m so sorry, August.” She held Lucky tighter. “My mom died fifteen months ago.”

He nodded slowly. “That explains your reaction when I asked if Cami was your mom. I’m sorry. I know how tough it is. Do you have siblings?”

“Just my brother, but he’s thirteen years older than me.” She winced. “I forgot. I have twin brothers too. They’re one.”

He laughed. “You forgot you have two other brothers?”

“Long story.” She shrugged. “It’s been a lot. But what about you, do you have siblings?”

“Two older sisters, and they make sure I don’t forget about them. They’re twenty-six and twenty-four, and they act like they’re my mothers.” He smiled. “Most of the time, I don’t mind.”

“That’s nice.” August was nice too. Really nice. So she was hoping he wouldn’t get weirded out by what she was about to ask. “You know how I mentioned Cami has amnesia?”

“It’s not exactly something you forget.”

“Right. It’s just I was wondering if you have a picture of you, your dad, and your sisters that I could show her. I know it sounds weird, but it might help jog her memory. We don’t want her to stay stuck at seventeen forever.”

“Sure, happy to help,” he said, turning into the driveway of the beach house. He parked the car and grabbed his phone off the console, put in his password, and then scrolled through his photos. “Do you have a phone or an email address?”

She didn’t share that her mother wouldn’t let her have a phone until she was sixteen. Her birthday was in two weeks, and she was totally asking her brother for one. She gave August her email address.

“I, um, know your grandfather,” she said. “If Willow’s at home when he calls, she puts him on speaker. It’s my favorite part of the day. He’s hilarious. And you don’t have to worry. Willow doesn’t mind. Your dad’s right. She’s super nice.”

He slapped his forehead. “You’re the Riley he keeps talking about. He thinks you’re sweet and super smart.”

She smiled. “I like him too.” Lucky poked his head out of the blanket and licked her chin. “I guess I’d better go. Thanks for everything, August. You have no idea how helpful you’ve been.”

“The least I could do after my dog knocked you down and then pushed you off the dock.”

“What kind of dog is he?”

“Bernese mountain dog. We got him when we were living in Switzerland.” His lips lifted at the corner. “We used to get our groceries in France and Italy. I learned to swear in several languages, including Italian.”

“Okay, just as long as you don’t tell my brother what I’m really saying. He thinks I’m saying ‘achoo.’”

He laughed and helped her out of the blanket.

Her stomach got all squishy inside. She wanted to pump her fist that she’d made him laugh. She wondered if that was how Willow felt when she made Noah laugh. Riley couldn’t remember her brother laughing as much as he did in Sunshine Bay.

“Thanks again, August. It was really nice meeting you,” she said as she got out of the truck.

“Nice meeting you, Rainbow Girl. Maybe I’ll see you around.”

She waved goodbye as he pulled out of the driveway and thought about adding another item to her wish list.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Camilla sat cross-legged on her bed, waiting for her call to Gail to connect. They’d both been busy the past couple of days, Gail with contract negotiations with Lilianna Rose’s parents and Camilla with her family. Admittedly, Camilla had been spending quite a bit of time in her bedroom, catching up on sleep. Staying in character 24-7 was exhausting. She’d been tempted to confess that she’d regained her memory several times, but she couldn’t do it. Not with her sister Gia making it clear that she wanted her gone.

She didn’t blame her. Camilla knew she had a lot to make up for, not only with Gia but also with her daughter. Noah and Riley too. But her sister, who’d once been easygoing and the peacemaker of the family, had turned into an unforgiving hard-ass. Their relationship wasn’t showing any sign of improving. If anything, it was getting worse.

“Hey, sorry I missed your call earlier,” Camilla said as soon as Gail picked up.

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