Free Finding Love in Forgotten Cove (Island County Series Book 1) by Karice Bolton

about you to everyone he knows.”
    The revelation made me almost giddy but for all the wrong reasons. Gabby answered the phone and proceeded to take an order for morning. She hung up the phone and pinned the order on the wall with all the others before coming back over to sit with me.
    “He must not have much to talk about if he’s managing to fit me in.” I smirked, taking another sip of the mocha.
    “In all seriousness, he’s actually quite a busy man with lots of hobbies so the fact that you’ve been mentioned so much has his brother completely amused and his mother hopeful,” she snickered.
    I got a sudden urge to learn what his hobbies were.
    “Hopeful for what?”
    My mind flashed to the barbeque. It was going to be nothing more than two acquaintances turned friends attending a get together.
    No. Big. Deal.
    “I’m sure you can imagine the many things a mother would hope for her son.”
    I rolled my eyes and shook my head. “I’m sure he’s just talking about me because he loves the house so much and I own the house. He’s been spending hours with me every day working his fingers to the bone. I actually feel very sorry for the guy.”
    “I happen to know he’s enjoying every second of it.” Her eyes sparkled mischievously and I got a little nervous.
    I let out a sigh and saw Delilah’s mother pull into the lot. “Well, I hope I don’t dash his family’s hopes and dreams, but I’m not the right one. I’m not looking for anything serious and won’t be for—”
    The bell on the door chimed as Delilah’s mother pushed open the door. She looked like an older version of her daughter with large blue eyes and short dark hair. But at the moment, she appeared harried and completely stressed since the last time I saw her—less than two hours ago.
    “Maybe don’t do serious. Try fun,” Gabby whispered, before leaving the table.
    I’d never really let my mind go to that possibility before. I wasn’t the “not serious” type. I only understood serious. There had to be an end goal in sight. I wasn’t sure how “not serious” would work. I doubted it was even possible. Thankfully Marcy interrupted my thoughts with the thud of her purse on the table and an exasperated sigh.
    “Is there any way to fast-forward through this age and watch her walk down the aisle at graduation? She will graduate, right?” She sat down in the chair, her expression completely defeated.
    I reached my hand across the table and squeezed hers. “Yes. She will make it through and so will you. What can I get you? My treat.”
    “A jasmine tea sounds perfect.”
    I walked over to the counter, and Gabby already had one brewing as she rang me up.
    “Don’t forget what I said earlier. Maybe give it some thought while he’s at the house tonight. Life doesn’t always have to be so serious.” Her voice was almost a whisper.
    “Very unfunny, my friend,” I gave her three dollars and spun on my heels with the warm drink in hand.
    I took a seat back at the table and smiled. Marcy looked slightly better than when she’d walked through the door.
    “Doing a little better?” I asked.
    Marcy smiled and took a sip of tea. “Now I am. Sometimes I get so caught up in the drama of teenage life that I can hardly think straight. If I can remember I’m an adult that works better.”
    “But that isn’t always as fun.” I let out a little chuckle. I could relate, but I enjoyed slipping into another generation’s way of existence. Or at least I had before everything with Tanner and my father.  I was hoping to get back to that state of mind before the end of summer.
    “Well, I wish I could say it will get better, but you never know,” I joked.
    “I appreciate the honesty.” Marcy’s shoulders relaxed slightly. “I don’t understand what got her into summer school.”
    “Lots of students can find it hard to balance so many subjects and excel in all of them,” I offered.
    Marcy shook her head. “It makes absolutely no sense