Forever Summer - Melody Grace Page 0,32

give me one good reason why you’re not going after her,” Mackenzie finished. “Because we both know you like her. And clearly, the feeling is mutual, based on that PDA. Usually you have a one-track mind when it comes to winning girls over,” she added, looking puzzled. “So what’s so different this time?”

Noah paused. He didn’t want to break Evie’s confidence, but it didn’t seem like a secret she was hiding from the world. “Because she’s a widow,” he finally replied. “Her husband passed away a couple of years ago.”

Mac looked surprised. “Well, that’s all very tragic, but it’s no excuse for you acting like a weenie.”

“A weenie?” Noah echoed, trying not to smile. “Really?”

“If the shoe fits.” Mac shrugged. “Come on, she doesn’t have to put her whole life on pause just because she’s been widowed. Do you really expect her to dress all in black and wander mournfully through town forever?”

He shook his head. “No, but … it wasn’t some regular break-up. She thought she was going to spend her whole life with that guy.”

“And so did you with Caitlin,” Mac said matter-of-factly. “You put a ring on her finger, and yet here you are, panting over someone new.”

Noah scowled. “It’s not the same.”

“Isn’t it?” Mac smirked. “I don’t know how you guys can be so dumb.”

“Hey!” Jake protested, entering with another stack of dishes from the table.

Mac raised an eyebrow. “You were pretty dense when it came to the two of us,” she said, teasing.

“But I got there eventually,” Jake said, putting down the dishes and stealing a kiss from her.

Mac broke into a smile. “Yes, you did.”

“So give Noah a break,” Jake said. “He’s being an idiot, but that’s his choice. We should give him time to stop being such a bonehead on his own.”

“I’m standing right here!” Noah complained good-naturedly.

“No, he’s got a point,” Mac said, looking thoughtful. “I’m sorry. I suppose you can take your time being a dumbass if you need to.”

Noah had to laugh at the almost-apology. Mackenzie headed back outside, leaving Noah and Jake on clean-up duty. “Way to have my back,” Noah joked as they started on the dishes.

“Any time.” Jake grinned. “Except …”

“What?” Noah asked, bracing himself.

“Mac’s right, it took me a while to get my act together over the two of us,” Jake said. “But now, looking back, I wish I hadn’t wasted so much time. I knew that she was the one from the very first time I kissed her.” He shrugged. “I guess I wonder how much heartache and drama I could have saved us both if I hadn’t tried to fight it for so long.”

Dinner came to an end with plenty more teasing and laughter, and soon enough Noah said his goodbyes, but as he drove back through town, Jake’s words lingered in his mind.

Was his friend right?

Was he just wasting time by telling himself this thing with Evie was off the table? He had plenty of reasons not to go diving into something, and Lord knew, she did too.

But that kiss …

That wasn’t a “see you around sometime” kind of kiss. It wasn’t a “sure, I’ll call you once my schedule frees up” or “maybe, if we’re both free on an empty Friday night” kiss.

No, that kiss was the real deal.

And he wanted more.

Noah found himself driving down to the beach and bumping along the sandy road towards the Beachcomber Inn. The place sat silent in the last rays of twilight, surrounded by building equipment and trash piles.

“Hello?” he called out, finding the door half-open. One of the contractors was halfway up a ladder.

“Hey, Evie’s out back,” he called down to Noah. “Tell her I’m just finishing up.”

“Thanks.”

Noah made his way through the house, impressed by all the renovations they’d managed in such a short time. With all the ugly, peeling wallpaper gone, the floors stripped, and the dusty old furniture removed, he could see the bright, airy potential of the place.

He found Evie on the back porch, sipping from a steaming mug as she gazed out at the view. He paused for a moment, watching her. She was always in such a fluster of activity. He didn’t think he’d ever seen her like this before: so peaceful.

So beautiful.

He cleared his throat, and Evie turned. “Noah!” she exclaimed.

“Hey. I was … just in the neighborhood,” he lied. “The place is looking great. They’ll be done soon.”

“Here’s hoping. Except that’s when Cooper’s enormous bill will come due,” Evie said with a wince. “But you don’t