Series Starter Firsts in Series Collection - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,225

are so damn proud of you,” Stacy’s dad says.

“You’ve both busted your ass to get through college,” my dad chimes in.

“You deserve a break, some fun in the sun, if you will,” Stacy’s mom hints.

“A little rest and relaxation before joining the post-college world,” Mom adds.

Jase releases us and joins our parents. “I want it to go on record that I’m jealous as hell,” he announces with a grin. Mom reaches around my dad and smacks his arm.

Reaching in his back pocket, Jase pulls out an envelope with our names scrawled across the front. I glance over at Stacy and she shrugs; she has no idea either.

Jase hands us the envelope. We both squeal with delight as we lean in close and pull it open together. I read the card, and then read it again, giving my brain a second chance to process what it says.

“Hawaii?” Stacy asks.

“Yep, the two of you get to spend a week on a private stretch of beach and soak up some rays while I’m stuck here.” Jase tries to hide his grin. He’s happy for us, even if he is jealous he’s not going. He’ll get his in four years.

“Holy shit!” Stacy and I say at the same time. This causes everyone, and I mean everyone, to burst out laughing. Apparently, all the guests had gathered around. Stacy and I were too intent on discovering what was in the envelope to pay attention.

My phone vibrates in my back pocket. Sliding it out, I glance at the screen.

Daniel.

I hit ignore and slide my phone back into my pocket. Not today, he’s not going to ruin this. He needed his space. He’s getting it.

Permanently.

“Your reservation is in a week,” Stacy’s mom informs us. “Gives you time to shop for some new clothes.”

Chapter 2

Logan

“Seriously, Logan, you need to live a little. Buy the damn bikini,” Stacy says as she flings said bikini into my cart.

“You call that a bikini? It’s tiny pieces of fabric strung together by . . . string.”

She throws her head back and laughs. “We’re going to the beach, a private beach in Hawaii. You finally got rid of the loser, and you need to let loose. Here.” She pulls the same bikini off the shelf, checks the size, and tosses it in her cart. “Now, we’ll both be barely dressed and living the dream.”

“I still can’t believe they rented us a freaking beach house in Hawaii!” I say as my phone dings, alerting me to a message. Digging it out of my purse, I swipe the screen and see Daniel has sent me yet another message.

Daniel: Why are you ignoring me?

Is he for real? I’m ignoring his dumb ass because he’s, well . . . a dumb-ass. UGH!

“Daniel?” Stacy asks.

“Yep.” I hold my phone up so she can read his message.

“What the hell? He’s delusional,” she says, shaking her head.

“He’s something,” I say as I delete his message and slide my phone back in my purse. He’s texted me at least twice a day for the last week. Six days since he gave me his ‘I need space’ speech. Six days since I’ve been single, knowing this time it’s really over. Six days where I have felt . . . free. It’s weird how you don’t realize how much someone is holding you back until you are able to really open your eyes and look at it from a different perspective. Daniel is toxic.

“This trip is going to be amazing. We’re both single and beautiful.” She winks at me. “We’re going to live it up, experience one last hoorah before entering the wonderful world of adulthood.”

“Stacy, we’re already adults,” I remind her.

“Yeah, but now we have to become straight-laced members of society. We can no longer be the young girls hiding behind the ‘they’re in college’ façade. We actually have to be full-functioning members of society. Which reminds me, how’s the job search coming?”

I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in business administration. “I’ve applied for every damn entry-level admin position I can find. I even applied for a few assistant positions that I am overqualified for.” I shrug. “I have to start somewhere. I’ve had a few interviews, but no callbacks yet.”

“I start my new job the Monday after we come back. It’s not what I thought I would be doing with my degree, but I’m excited to try something new.”

Stacy has a degree in education. She wanted to be a high school science teacher. However, teaching jobs are few and far between.