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Summer was coming.
The tourists were already arriving on the small island of Nantucket.
Sabrina Buxton surveyed her artwork that represented her winter. A few landscapes of a stormy sea could be shared with her family but the bulk of them were of Jason. Those couldn’t be shown to anyone. They’d see how foolish she’d been. How much she still cared.
She stared at them and another wave of longing washed over her.
A whole mix of emotions followed—but not regret. She missed him. He’d called a couple of times and then it was a text here and there. Now it was nothing.
One by one, she put the paintings in the back of her closet until only one stood out and needed to dry. Jason’s eyes haunted hers. Why had he seemed so perfect if he could leave so easily?
Her phone binged and Sab checked it. A text from her twin, Tabitha. Sab smiled. Her twin had inadvertently found love with Jason’s best friend, Sean. At least one wonderful thing had happened because Sab and Jason had met in Paris and run into each other again here.
Looking at the positives helped. Mom and Dad were distracted with the watch for an engagement ring...Tab and Sean were going on a year of knowing each other but only nine months of serious dating.
Another text came through from her little sister, Veronica. She was on the island back from college. Two seconds later, there was a knock on Sab’s door.
Sab left her bedroom, closing the door behind her and went to the front door. Veronica was knocking like she owned the place.
Sab opened the door. “Hi.”
“Finally, Tab isn’t home. No one is in the gallery,” Veronica huffed.
She wore a bikini top and denim shorts with flipflops and her hair wrapped in a red scarf. Sliding her oversized sunglasses down her nose, Veronica stared at Sabrina. “Oh no, you’re still moping.”
“I’m not.” Sab smiled genuinely. “I’m so glad you’re home.”
“Me too. Well, I’m glad I can’t do summer school. I just have to repeat the semester.” Veronica went for the fridge and got a cold bottle of water. “No beer or wine?”
“Maybe I drank it all since I’m moping?” Sab teased.
Veronica snorted a laugh. “I hope you’re not getting that dark and sad about an actor. I mean, he’s hot. He was really nice and all. But he’s an actor. He can act like anything.”
That hurt. “You’re saying it was all an act?”
“Who knows?” Shrugging, Veronica flopped on the couch and put her feet on the coffee table. “Men will do and say anything to get in a girl’s pants. He’s a professional—an actor. I’m sure it was fun but you’ll find someone new. Brand new summer romance for you, not just a fling.”
“Jason wasn’t a fling, Veronica. And he didn’t get anywhere near my...” Sab felt her face burn. She was old-fashioned.
“You’re kidding? Hard to get. Good move, makes them want you more. I figured you must’ve finally given in, and who wouldn’t with a hot guy like that? Then men always lose interest.” Veronica kicked off her flipflops and stretched.
Sab noticed her sister’s ribs showing more clearly than ever before through her skin. The Buxton women weren’t plump, but they weren’t skeletons either.
“Are you hungry? I can make us some sandwiches,” Sab offered.
“No, I want to look good in this skimpy bikini. Mom won’t freak too much. She’s got Tab and Sean to obsess over.” Veronica smirked.
That was the good thing about summer. Distractions would be everywhere. Like Veronica.
“You don’t like Sean?” Sab opened a jar of gourmet cashews and set them on the end table where Veronica could reach them.
She grabbed a handful and tossed a couple in her mouth. “I like him fine. He’s serious like Tab. They have chemistry. She’s got him wrapped around her little finger.”
“That’s a bit much,” Sab replied.
Veronica rolled her eyes. “He bought the building next door to the gallery where you two have apartments just to have an office and apartment on the island and be near her. As soon as the weather broke he started putting a new roof and repairing any siding on the house he bought her. He’d do anything for her.”
“She’s lucky.” Sab smiled.
Veronica’s face fell. “Sorry. I know this is going to suck but we’ll find you a new guy. Plus, we’ll be busy. We have to help with the planning of the charity gala. Mom and Mrs. Drake nudged Tab out of it this year.”
“Why?” Sabrina had been surprised when Sean’s mother moved to the island. Mrs. Drake was all about charity and community so she and Mom were a good pair to let loose on projects. Thankfully, the two women liked each other. But Tabitha was an expert at event planning.
Veronica shrugged. “They probably want Tab to spend more time with Sean. They’re all whispering and eager. If they don’t see a ring by the end of summer, I wouldn’t want to be Sean.”
Sab giggled. “That sounds like Mom and now she has a friend on her side. Not sure if that’s good or dangerous.”
“And I need to have fun. This semester was a mess.” Veronica sighed.
Sabrina tried not to be too critical. “If you have to repeat it you can’t have worked too hard. You keep changing majors and making it harder on yourself.”
“I’m not good at school like you and Tabitha. I’m only doing it for the trust fund. Why can’t cosmetology school count? Or trade school?” She ate a few more nuts.
That wasn’t news. Sab and Tabitha had the same requirements on their trust fund. Their grandfather had made rules before they could access their money—education by a certain age.
“You made it through high school. You can make it through a bachelors in college. You’re smart. You just party too much.” Sab sat next to her sister.
“Isn’t that what college is for? Fun?” Veronica finished off the water and went for another one.
“Fun and education. If you can’t balance both...that’s something you need to learn.” Sab hated scolding but Tabitha usually did it.
“When I get my trust fund, I’m going to buy a condo in New York and just shop and party.” Veronica closed the fridge a bit harder than normal.
“You could get a job over the summer. Sean bought the B&B,” Sab suggested.
“He’s going to buy the island next. Is he trying to show up Dad?” Veronica scoffed.
Sab frowned at her sister. “I think he’s just trying to show Tab how serious he is. She likes living here. He’s willing to build his life where she is happiest. It’s sweet.”
“You’re going to sit around all summer watching them so sappily in love and missing Jason? I won’t allow it. Neither will Meredith, she’ll help me.” Veronica nodded.
Sab chuckled. “Tab and Sean aren’t that sappy. I’ve barely seen them kiss in public. It’s just not who they are. They’re private. That makes it easier.”
Veronica’s scrunchy face said she didn’t believe Sabrina.
“I’m happy for Tabitha. She’s proof there is someone for everyone exactly as they are. She can be picky and prickly and so can Sean. Together they work.” Sab smiled.
“I buy all of that. But whenever I bring up a new romance you change the subject or ignore me. You’re not over that actor.” Veronica hopped to her feet and found Sab’s phone on the counter.
“What are you doing? I’m over him. It’s not like we were that serious. He never made any promises. He has a whole career out there.” Sab looked at Veronica’s bare feet as her sister paced, trying to unlock Sab’s phone.
“Got it,” Veronica said.
“Stop.” Sab tried to take it away. “We should get pedicures. Something very summery.”
“Oh, I like it.” Veronica began tapping out a text on Sab’s phone. “You haven’t heard from him since New Year’s? What a jerk!”
“If you want me to get over him, you might want to stop bringing him up,” Sab suggested.
Veronica thought that over for a moment and resumed texting.
“No, please, Veronica. Don’t text him,” Sab said.
She scoffed. “I’m not texting that jerk. I’m texting Meredith to see when she’s getting to the island. We single girls need to stick together.”
“True.” Sab gave up the fight.
“Do I smell paint?” Veronica asked as they waited for a reply.
“I’m letting my last piece dry and I’m done for the winter.” Sab cut her sister off before she could enter the bedroom.
“Let me see it,” Veronica said.
“No, you won’t like it. I needed to get it out of my system and it’s over. They’ll be put in storage, not on display,” Sab said firmly.
Veronica tried to fake left but Sab knew her baby sister too well and stood firm.
Luckily, Sab’s phone binged with a text.
“Good, she’s coming in a few hours. I’ll text the salon and get appointments for pedicures. Hopefully Meredith doesn’t kick the poor nail tech.” Veronica texted away.
“Mer has sensitive and very ticklish feet, it’s not her fault. She warns them.” Sab leaned on the door.
“I thought Tab would be the old maid but Mer might take that spot. She’s cool but quirky,” Veronica said.
“Maybe we should work on finding her a boyfriend?” Sab wanted the focus off of herself.
“No, you’re older and need to get back on the horse. Mer works with a ton of men. Eventually the right one will find her. There is a boring nerd out there who’ll make a move on the hot but quirky chick. She just has to like him and not rip him to shreds before giving him a chance.” Veronica nodded. “We’re set for pedis at three. Then we can do dinner with the fam.”
Sab smiled. When Veronica was sober and focused, she was sweet and caring. She was right about Mer...she got in her own way when it came to men. Tabitha, on the other hand, liked men but had gotten off on the wrong foot with Sean because they both wanted the same land for different reasons. Also, Tab had been looking out for Sabrina more than she’d been out to find a man for herself.
“What’s that smile for?” Veronica asked.
“I’m really glad Tab and Sean found each other. Even if Jason and I aren’t meant to be, they are. Mom has Mrs. Drake now to pal around with when Dad doesn’t feel like socializing. You really think Sean will propose this summer?”
“I think he’s carrying around a ring and planning it already.” Veronica plugged her own phone in to charge and then plugged in Sab’s phone.
“Thank you,” Sab said. “Why do you think he has the ring?”
Veronica laughed. “I called his secretary. We can’t tell Tab or Mom but he bought it already in Boston.”
Veronica frequently was very self-centered but she did care about others. It might be nosy and a bit sneaky, but Veronica’s actions showed Sab how much the youngest Buxton loved their sister. “The secret is safe with me.”
“Good. Now let’s get a drink or something while we wait for Mer. I want to see some hunks in nothing but swim trunks,” Veronica said.
“So, the beachfront café? I’ll go if you promise is eat a lunch too,” Sab opened negotiations.
“A side salad. Bathing suit season.” Veronica folded her arms.
“You’re too skinny. Not all men like visible ribs. A full chicken Caesar salad with a breadstick,” Sab countered.
“Fine, as long as you have two drinks and dessert.” Veronica put her flipflops back on.
“Fine. I’ll grab my purse. Check the phones,” Sab said.
Sab slipped into her bedroom and should’ve known not to trust Veronica.
Veronica was right behind Sab and made a whiny sad noise when she saw Jason’s face. “Sabrina...”
“It’s fine. I just needed to get him out of my system.” Sab touched the canvas and it was dry enough. She opened the closet and slid the painting in the back.
Veronica hugged her sister when Sab emerged from the closet.
“Thank, but I’m fine. Really. It was a summer romance and it’s over. How many women can say they had that sort of fun with a Hollywood star?”
“Don’t go to the Hamptons. Too many celebrities there,” Veronica warned.
Sab laughed. “Grab the phones, we can let them charge in the car.”
“On it.” Veronica retrieved them and her purse.
Sabrina hated lying to her sister but she had to get over Jason. The best approach was how her mother had coached them to behave at social functions when trapped in a dull conversation or unpleasant situation—pretend you’re enjoying yourself and see what you can learn. Mer called it the ‘fake it til you make it’ approach. Until she was over him, Sab had to act like she truly was.
It should be easier since she hadn’t seen him in nine months but no other guy had ever made her feel like Jason did. Was it really just an act?