Page 27 of Prime Time Romance

He laughs, shaking his head. “I know, right? But I did the math as I was getting into town. It will be fifteen at the end of the summer. It was that day I left for LA. Time flies, doesn’t it?”

Apparently. My smile wavers for a moment as I think about how that last episode was truly how Sloan and Spencer ended their relationship.

Sheldon was right. They both deserve better.

“Hey.” Spencer rubs the side of my arm. “Are you feeling okay? You’re looking a little pale.”

“I think I’m just in shock,” I answer honestly, then remember I’m supposed to be Sloan. “You know, being back here. Seeing everyone. So what’s new with you, then? I feel like I’ve missed out on a lot.”

He nods as if agreeing. “Well, I just got back into town this afternoon. I got tired of the acting thing and really missed this place, so I decided to come home. It feels so surreal to be back again after all this time. It hasn’t changed a bit though.”

He glances at his wristwatch. “Listen, Sloan, I really hate to do this, but I’m expected at my parents’ house in ten minutes. We’re having a big family reunion brunch. My mom has it all planned.” He holds up the pancake mix, corroborating his story.

“But we really need to hang out. We still have fourteen and a half years to catch up on.” He pauses. “Actually, what are you doing tonight? Have you been out to the islands lately?”

The islands.

Spencer and Sloan’s favorite place.

My heart flutters with the kind of nervous excitement that only comes with the possibility of something special.

It’s a feeling I haven’t had in years.

Not since Matt.

“No plans,” I say in answer to his first question. “And no, I can’t tell you the last time I’ve been out there.”

He smiles. “Then you should join us. We’re going to take the boat out later. Paddle around.”

I find myself nodding enthusiastically until, once again, my brain catches up.

“Us?” My voice is half an octave higher than a moment ago.

Spencer nods, oblivious. “Yeah. Me and Luce. I ran into her just before I saw you. I told her it had been such a long time since I was on the water, and she suggested we go for a picnic tonight. I’m sure she won’t mind if you tag along.”

I’m sure she will.

If there was any doubt about my current relationship with Luce, it’s obvious now.

Not friends.

Foes.

As I picture Luce and Spencer out there on the water, alone, something inside me snaps.

This isn’t the way it’s supposed to be.

Sheldon is right.

Carson’s Cove didn’t end the way it should have.

Sloan and Spencer were denied their happily ever after, and I can’t let it happen again.

The beginnings of an idea start to form.

Something I’d never even think to attempt back home.

Except I’m not back home—I’m in Carson’s Cove, and what may have worked here before might just work again.