Page 62 of Summer Kisses

He glanced over at me thoughtfully. "We should have our first date."

"We're engaged. We have our party on Saturday," I said a little exasperated by the impossibility of the situation.

"Are you saying I can't take you out on a first date? I want something to remember."

I was touched by his desire to create our first date. "It's a little backward."

He grinned. "I think that's us in a nutshell, and I wouldn't do anything to change it."

This entire arrangement was knocking me off my axis. It was sweet that he wanted to create a date to remember. It had the effect of softening my heart to him even more. "Well, then. It sounds lovely."

He flashed me a smile. "You won't regret it."

I was regretting ever putting that engagement ring on my finger. It set off a series of events that sent me careening to falling in love with my best friend. Nothing good could come from it.

The hopeful side of me wanted to believe that Brady was falling in love with me too. But life didn't work out like that. I figured that out when my parents died when I was just a kid. Life wasn't fair, and we didn't always get what we wanted.

Chapter Sixteen

BRADY

Iwas under pressure to create the perfect first date. I'd never spent this much time thinking about taking a girl out. Dinner was a cliché. A movie date was juvenile and, frankly, boring. What could I create on the island that would be special?

The only brother I trusted with this discussion was Hudson. He was the one in a committed, mature relationship. I volunteered to pick up the debris at Hudson's work site so that I could pick his brain. Hudson and his crew helped me fill the truck bed, and when it was done, Hudson lingered by the driver's side door. "You wanted to talk about something?"

"Yeah, I want to plan something nice for Hazel. A night to remember. You got any suggestions?"

Hudson whistled. "That's a tough one. What were you thinking?"

"Not just dinner and a movie. Something romantic."

"You've already been dating, and you've been friends for years. Is there something that she enjoys that you could take advantage of?"

I shrugged. "She loves to read. She's a librarian."

"Maybe set up dinner at one of the libraries in a historic house on the mainland. I think I read something about acompany that was offering that as a service. They bring the food and wait staff while you enjoy the ambiance."

"That's a great idea." I pulled out my phone and started scrolling. "What are the odds they have an opening tonight?"

"I doubt everyone wants a meal in the library, so that might be your in." Hudson was already backing away, eager to get back to work.

"I appreciate the assist," I said with my phone to my ear as I climbed into the cab of my truck. A man answered, and I told him what I wanted to do. He gave me the name of the company that serviced the historic landmarks' dinners, and I called there next. No one had booked the library at a certain mansion for the night, so it was mine if I wanted it.

A romantic library dinner was perfect.

Satisfied that I'd solved my first-date dilemma, I texted Hazel telling her I'd pick her up at seven and suggested she dress up.

Hazel: Now I'm intrigued. Where are we going?

Brady: It's a surprise.

Hazel: How will I know what to wear?

Brady: I think it's a dress-and-heels kind of situation.

Hazel: Fancy.

Brady: It's not super fancy, but I think it will be the perfect evening for us.

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