Page 17 of Summer Kisses

I didn't like that. I wanted Dalton to do what he felt comfortable doing. Not what this girl insisted was necessary.

"You'll make the right decision, and if you need anything, we’re here for you," Mom said. "Now help me move everything to the table."

We immediately sprang into action, carrying the salsa, chips, guacamole, and tacos onto the deck. There were lemonade and margaritas. It was our go-to family dinner meal.

"Thank you for an amazing dinner, Joy," Hazel said when we were all seated.

"Have you two thought about where you'll live?" Mom asked us.

I shrugged. "She can move in with me. Hazel's always wanted to live in a beach house."

"When will you move in? Before the engagement party, I hope?" Mom asked.

"Well, we haven't talked about the details yet—" Hazel said.

“It might get a little crowded with the three of us living there, and I’m going to have a baby soon,” Dalton interjected.

I grimaced, not wanting my brother to feel like he had to leave. “You don’t have to move out. There’s plenty of room.”

"You probably want to see if you can live together before you tie the knot," Mom said reasonably.

"That's not a bad idea," I said, stuffing a taco into my mouth. Then Hazel nudged my foot under the table.

I met her gaze. "What?"

"We'll have to talk about it," Hazel said simply, and I got the message that we needed to discuss these things before we talked to family.

I needed to figure out this relationship stuff before Hazel got any more upset with me.

"You've always loved Max, and now he'll be yours," Shep said simply.

"Yeah, I suppose that's true." I wanted her, Max, and the future I'd always dreamed about. How could I convince her to give me a chance?

I was worried that the fake part of our relationship stood between us like a wall. I needed her to forget that this was an act. I needed her to believe that it was real.

Chapter Five

HAZEL

Iexpected the scrutiny over our relationship: why we kept it a secret and what our plans were for the future. But I hadn't expected the specific questions, like where would we live and how soon would we move in together.

It was crazy how many details people thought they had a right to know. And I suppose we had to provide the information since we wanted them to believe that we were in a real relationship.

And I couldn't believe Brady had so easily agreed to me moving in with him. It wasn't something we'd talked about or that I'd even considered. I thought this whole thing would be over in a few weeks, and I'd spend the rest of my life getting pitying looks for snagging, then just as quickly losing, a Kingston.

I didn't care about the hottest bachelor on the island thing. I knew Brady before all of that. I had a feeling that our broken engagement would only make him more popular. And I'd have to watch him date someone else. Maybe even marry her.

I hated the idea.

Thankfully, talk turned to the business, and we were granted a reprieve for the rest of the night. When we were saying ourgoodbyes, Joy took me aside and said, "You're going to make a beautiful bride, and I couldn't hope for anyone better for my son than you."

I let her praise wash over me, wishing she was my future mother-in-law. "You aren't worried that we're too young?"

Joy laughed. "You two were destined to be together. Frankly, I thought it would take you longer to figure it out."

She walked away, and I stood there feeling a little shell shocked. Did everyone think that? Sure, people had commented on it over the years, but I always thought it was just curiosity. Not something that people believed to be true.

Brady appeared next to me. "Are you ready to go?"

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