Page 71 of Summer Kisses

Hazel raised a brow. "You mean the fake engagement?"

"I want to focus on us." How I felt when I was with her.

"I'm on board with that, but we'll stick with the plan. Post the photographs on social media. You can apply for your family-friendly status. And then—" She trailed off.

We'd be over. There'd be no reason for us to pretend to be engaged anymore.

"The after-school program is launching this week."

"I'll be there." I'd seen the proposal and approved it. We each got a certain amount of leeway in how we wanted to be involved in the community. I'd chosen to support Hazel's project. I believed in her and her vision. I wanted her to feel supported.

Hazel nodded. "Do your parents know about the donation?"

I frowned. "I didn't talk to them about it."

"You think your dad will be okay with it?"

"Why wouldn't he be?" He'd never questioned any of my brothers when they did side jobs or chose to put the Kingston name behind various community projects.

"He seems harder on you. I wasn't sure if he would approve."

My brow furrowed. "I can't imagine why not."

"If you're sure," Hazel said, and I nodded. "I don't have any reason to think he wouldn't be."

We danced for a few more songs, and then I found myself at the bar next to Hudson while the girls danced to faster songs.

"Thank you for the toast. I wasn't expecting that."

Hudson nodded. "It's not every day your youngest brother gets engaged. I want you to be happy, and I think you will be with Hazel. You two were meant for each other."

Sometimes it seemed like that, but I wasn't sure Hazel felt the same way. When I talked about focusing on us, she'd reiterated our original plan. The one that I'd almost forgotten about. It was important to me, but I'd be okay if it didn't work out. I still had the family business, and the show was an extra stream of income. But I wasn't sure I'd be okay if something happened between me and Hazel.

Dalton approached us, and Hudson inclined his head to where Elena was gesturing for him to come over. "Elena wants me to join her."

When Hudson went to the dance floor, I asked Dalton, "How are you holding up?"

"I'm still looking for a place."

"Where have you been staying?" I asked, knowing I couldn't offer to be his soft place to land anymore.

"I'm staying with Cooper. He's not around that much so it's working out."

"You'll find a place," I said, hoping it was true.

"Ivy's working on it. She thinks a house should be available soon."

"Everything's going to work out for you." I grabbed another beer from the bartender.

When I turned around, Dalton said, "I'm a little jealous of you."

That made me pause. "Why would you say that?"

"I always envisioned myself getting married first and then having a kid. Everything's backward."

"But it will work out in the end." I needed him to believe that.

"I'm not looking forward to dealing with Oakley when it comes to visitation. I don't have a problem giving her whatever she needs for the baby. But I want to be involved. I want to be the dad that kid deserves."

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