Page 21 of Summer with a Brother's Best Friend
“I’m staying in Love Beach.”
“What? Really?” I ask, a surge of surprise andhopeflooding through my veins. Because if she can do it…
“I already put in my notice at work.”
“But you love teaching.”
“I do, but I just don’t feel that spark anymore, and I know it doesn’t make sense but ever since we got here I just… I feel like it’s where I’m supposed to be.”
My lips can’t fight the grin stretching over my face. “Tell me.”
Blowing out a breath, Vienna squares her shoulders as she looks at me. “This town has everything but a flower shop…”
“I knew it!” I fist pump in the air, making her lips twitch.
“And I’ve always loved them—even when I was little, I always had a garden. My brother paid off my student loans, and with the money I’ve saved and the tips from this summer, I think I’ll have enough soon to put a down payment on one of the vacant storefronts.”
I can’t help it. I squeal and launch myself at her, wrapping my best friend in an enthusiastic hug. “Oh, I’m so proud of you!” She laughs but hugs me back tight, her eyes glassy when she pulls back to look at me. “And you have a name; I know you do.”
“The Greene House.”
“Oh my gosh, it’s perfect! ViennaGreene,fabulous and brilliant owner of The Greene House!” I deliver the line with a flourish.
“Exactly like that.” She chuckles. “There’s a guy that lives a town over from where I grew up who is friends with my brother and a genius with plants. He made his own self-sustaining greenhouse, and I’m hoping if I can make this happen that he’ll build me one.”
“Of course, you’re going to make it happen, and I’m going to help you—whatever you need.”
“And what about you?” she asks with a slight cock of her head.
Blowing out a breath, I study my hands in my lap before meeting her gaze. “I have a meeting with the principal at the high school here. Our schedules haven’t aligned, and I just…”
“Want to make sure they wantyou?”
“Yes,” I whisper. Because I can’t stay if my father really did call in a favor.
“They do. And then you and Isaac can finally be together,” she says, squeezing my hand. “Aaaand then you can tell Maddox.”
Blowing out a breath, I stare up at the ceiling. “Can we just take this one major life event at a time? I mean, it’s bad enough Mads showed up unannounced while Isaac and I were naked in bed.”
Vienna doubles over in laughter. “No, he didn’t,” she wheezes even as I nod solemnly.
“He did. And Isaac refused to hide in the closet—just in case—so I had to throw a robe on and convince Mads—after he had a snack—to get the hell out.” Vienna laughs harder, and I can’t help but chuckle at the memory.
“That is priceless.”
“He kept asking why I looked so flushed and told me I should sit down.”
“And you didn’t tell him then?”
“Of course I didn’t tell him then.” I gasp with not so feigned horror. “Hey Mads, know how you told Isaac and me that we could only be together once and when we broke up you reminded us then and every day since that wepromisedwe’d never do this again? Well, we lied and we’re having sex—whenyou got here, in fact—and we’re still totally in love even if we haven’t said it but you’re cool with that, right?”
“I don’t see anything wrong with that.”
“Are you honestly saying that your brother would be cool about you dating his best friend?”
“Well, Montana’s best friend is a girl he is in love with, so I think there’d be a mess all around.” I open my mouth to speak but close it just as quick. Vienna notices and puts her hand over mine. “Have you ever just talked to Maddox about it? Like as adults? You and Isaac clearly still love each other. Wouldn’t he want you both to be happy?”
“Honestly, I have no idea. I just… I don’t know. I was so angry when I left and…” I take a breath and voice my biggest fear and my biggest reason for staying away. “Can Mads and I both survive here? Can we both live in Love Beach without me losing myself again? I’ve worked too hard over the years to just let all that progress wash away with the tide.”
