Page 41 of Plotting Summer

“For a woman who hopes to become a published author one day, I’m confident you can do better than that. I need details.” When I tip my head to the side, she mirrors me. “Or I can always ask Tristan.”

“Fine,” I say, well aware I’ll never out will-power Grandma. “But this is for your ears only. I don’t want any of this spreading around Seaside Oasis. Is that clear?”

“Crystal clear. Let’s have a seat.” She takes me by the hand to lead me, but when she heads past the sofa, I realize she means on the porch. “I’m guessing this might take a minute, so we might as well enjoy the view while we chat.”

The view of the tattooed boat mechanic, Dax Miller, that is.

I surprisingly didn’t run into Tristan at Seaside Oasis when I visited Grandma this morning (his office door was closed both when I came and left), which was sort of a relief. And a disappointment. So my heart soars when my phone lights up with his name during another Vanderduesen movie night. It’s not the least bit surprising that Walker is the only one that notices my incoming text. It’s like he can sense it’s from Tristan from all the way across the sectional. I give him a brief smile and wait for him to look back at the screen before dimming the brightness on my phone to text Tristan back.

TRISTAN

Hey. How’s your day been?

CAPRI

Good. I stopped by Seaside Oasis earlier, but your office door was closed.

TRISTAN

You should have knocked. Your company would’ve been a bright spot in an otherwise trying day.

CAPRI

That bad?

TRISTAN

Let’s just say I still have a couple hours of administrative paperwork to do.

I’ve got a strange suspicion his late night has to do with Virginia Sawyer’s hunger strike, and the idea to offer to bring him dinner pops into my head. But it’s almost nine and he’s probably eaten, and honestly, now that I think about it, that seems way too over-the-top for the friend vibes I’m striving for. If it were Jane having to stay late, I’d bring her dinner in a heartbeat, but Tristan and I aren’t to that level of friendship and we likely won’t ever be now. Though the most pressing reason for abandoning the idea is the thought of someone witnessing my late-night visit to his office, since it's not late enough that residents won’t still be up and about.

CAPRI

I’m so sorry. That’s frustrating.

TRISTAN

It is, but that’s not why I texted.

I wanted to see if you’re up for another outing. I have something in mind if you are.

I don’t know why his request surprises me. Even if he plans to end the whole thing Saturday, he’d still feel obligated to follow through with one more outing. A part of me is demanding I proceed with caution because I’m just setting myself up for disappointment, but I apparently only take into account the proceed part of the warning. Weakling.

CAPRI

When were you thinking?

TRISTAN

With how long I’ll be here tonight and since I don’t have afternoon meetings tomorrow, I’ll take a half-day tomorrow. I can come by after lunch to pick you up if that works for you.

The perks of being the boss—you can take a half-day after spending a late night at the office. Not that he’ll be the boss for much longer.

CAPRI

That works.

TRISTAN