Lily nodded slowly, finishing up typing out the text. “Sent!” She grinned, placing the phone down on the table. “Well, Jade went to college in Iowa for nursing, and then was trying to figure out if she wanted to come back to Golden Falls or move. She ended up moving to California and started her career there before deciding to become a travel nurse a few years ago. I’m so proud of her,” Lily gushed proudly. “But I definitely miss her. We haven’t talked nearly as often over the last few years with her busier schedule, but she always sends a postcard when she gets to a new location.
“We were really close growing up. She’s a few years older than me, but we were always doing something together. My mom would always joke we were attached at the hip. I get why she left Golden Falls. I wish her schedule allowed her to come back once in a while to visit.”
I reached over to give Lily’s hand a squeeze. “I hope she’s able to visit soon. Maybe you can even plan a trip out to where she is. And I know it’s not the same, but there’s always FaceTime, too.”
Lily twisted her lips to the side as she thought. “Yeah, I’m glad you said that. We sometimes FaceTime her in for these dinners, but it’s been a while. I’ll actually text her right now to see if she’s free. It should be the afternoon over in Hawaii, whichmight mean she’s finishing up her shift.” Lily picked her phone up again, quickly typing out the text. She looked up at the sound of a car pulling up. “Must be the guys! Means we can finally get dinner. I’m starving!”
Any sort of sadness was wiped from Lily’s face as her mood shifted, but I could see in her eyes it wasn’t gone for good.
I hoped my new friend wasn’t keeping in more than she could handle. I knew what that felt like.
13
WESLEY
“Dinners at your parents’house will always be the best. I don’t care how old we get.” Cooper grinned as we got out of his Jeep Wrangler.
“I couldn’t agree more.” I’d gotten my love of food and cooking from both my parents, but their food would always surpass anything I was making that evening. Coming over for dinner was a no brainer.
Cooper and I went straight toward the side of the house and to the back yard.
“Hey, Ma. Hey, Dad,” I called out.
My mom made her way over to give both me and Cooper a hug. My dad, meanwhile, was grabbing beers and setting them out on the table. If the beers were out, that meant the food was grilled up and ready to eat.
I almost didn’t see her in the initial commotion.Almost.
But a woman who looked like that was hard to miss.
Big, green eyes. A smile so bright it lit up the whole yard. Long, brown hair cascading down her back in waves.
The bright-yellow sundress—the same color as her bikini—hugged her body and curves perfectly, flaring at her hips andhitting above her knees, showing off those long, tan legs. The dress was held up by thin straps tied into bows.
Thin straps I knew would easily snap if tugged.
When our eyes locked, a jolt of electricity coursed through my body the same way it did at Hal’s. The image from that day of Juliette Campbell on her knees in those tiny denim shorts was seared into my mind, as was the soft feel of her skin as I tended to her injury. I briefly glanced down at her hand and didn’t see a bandage, so I assumed her cut had healed quickly, which was good. I didn’t want her hurt. I just…didn’t want her in town.
“What are you doing here?” we asked at the same time, although whereas her question sounded genuine, mine came out harsher than intended. What was with this woman and catching me off guard?
I normally wasn’t an asshole—at least, Ireallyhoped people didn’t see me that way—but she reminded me so much of what I was trying to forget. The emotions I didn’t want to be feeling.
I didn’t interact much with those passing through or visiting Golden Falls. I cared about those close to me and about the other residents, but I refused to let anyone else in.
Not again.
I did my best to keep memories of those two summers locked away in my mind. I had no interest in revisiting them.
Maybe it was unfair to Juliette—in fact, I knew it was—but I didn’t trust myself. Juliette was here only for the summer just likeher.
“I’m here to have dinner with my family. What areyoudoing here?” I gritted. So much for my plan to avoid Juliette. That was damn near impossible when she was everywhere.
Lily’s jaw dropped, and my mom’s eyes widened at my remark. My dad let out a sigh, and I didn’t even look over at Cooper.
“Wesley! That’s no way to talk to our guest,” my mom scolded, about to turn to Juliette, likely to apologize.
“Lily invited me. Were you going to say this is private property and try to kick me out again?” She tilted her head to the side.
Another commotion broke out, and the fire in her eyes let me know she knew exactly what she was doing.
