Page 93 of Tempting Me

“And next,” I say with more snap than I want. So I take it down a notch when I add on, “Please.”

He nods and then waves goodbye as he leaves.

“That was unexpected,” Grace says slowly.

“How could my parents do this? Why wouldn't they call me first?”

“You heard him, Shay. They haven't decided yet.”

“They keep calling him, Grace. That’s basically saying that their minds are made up and the only reason they haven’t signed the dotted line is because they said I had till the end of the summer.”

“Which is still six weeks away.”

I glance out the window at where we used to hold live bands and grill food and people would be having so much fun that we had to ask them to leave well after closing.

The indoors might not be fully accessible yet, but the beach is always ready.

It’s time to buckle down and be smart.

The Marina needs my full focus.

I can’t be caught doing anything that could cause my parents to change their minds sooner than later.

I just hope that chance will still be there when the summer is over.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

LUCA

I think about two things for the remainder of my day.

First, this thing with Shay has made me happier than I’ve been in a long time. Second, the fact that I can’t tell a single soul about my feelings for her sucks.

It reminds me of the summer Ruby got pregnant. I’d been hanging out with a girl who I knew was only here for the summer. I was young and looking for fun. I knew it wouldn’t turn into anything serious, but that doesn’t mean how it ended hurt any less.

Me and this girl had been hooking up day after day, sometimes twice a day. Then I saw her on the beach one day with her family and when I went to say hi, like a nice normal guy would, she pretended she didn’t know me.

Later, she asked if we could still sneak around in secret.

I clearly wasn’t good enough for her rich family. Which, whatever, fine, but be upfront about it.

That was basically the summer I banned tourists fromfling status and decided that being honest was the only way to go.

But it’s different this time. I’m an adult who went into this knowing that working with Shay was a secret, but still, how long will this need to last?

I do a quick midday check in with my guys then head to Hudson’s for lunch. As soon as I walk in the door, I spot Miles and Quinn sitting at the bar, completely caught up in their own little bubble, their relationship on full display for the world to see.

I’m happy for him, but it stings.

I take a deep breath and move to join them, but I spot Declan on the other side of the bar, solo.

His vibe fits my current mood more, so I head in his direction instead.

“Everything okay?”

I nod.

“Oooh, a nod for a reply. What's up?”

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