Page 22

She’d always been a tough cookie, but not with me. I was one of her treasured grandkids. Sure, she goofed around, but she loved me.

“Looking it up would be a good start. But I think it’s going to take more than that. It’s time for you to pack up your things, Drew. I’m evicting you. It’s for your own good.”

“Tonight?”

“Tomorrow,” she relented. “Don’t make me call the sheriff.”

I couldn’t believe she was serious. It had to be a joke.

“Why?” I asked. Her edict seemed to come out of nowhere.

“Because I love you.”

Arguing with her when she got like this was pointless. I could only hope a good night’s sleep would change her mind. Or a call with my folks. They’d chosen a fine time to hare off to Europe for three weeks. I wasn’t sure what country they were in, let alone which time zone. Maybe my mom could talk Gran down from whatever plot she was trying to implement, kicking me out.

“Does this impact Island Salts?” I asked, trying to hide my hurt and confusion.

“Drew, honey, I just want more for you than this farm and the business. Keep working. But find a new place to live. You need space of your own. Hanging out with an old lady like me isn’t good for your social life.”

“Pitching a tent outside the evaporation houses isn’t going to do much for it either,” I pointed out.

“No, Drew. I want you off the property, not camping at work. Find a place in town, or out at Roche Harbor.”

“Gran, tourist season is just around the corner. Everything is already booked.”

She shrugged. “Then I guess you’re gonna have to get creative.”

She unpaused her show, and I stomped up the stairs. It was childish, but I couldn’t believe she was kicking me out. Maybe I’d been lazy, choosing to live at the farm, but it was conveniently close to work. And aside from a few years at school, it’d always been my home. I loved my parents. Loved my job. Never went through a rebellious phase like Zach. We were all relieved when he boughtNauti by Natureand moved out to the marina.

Real estate on island wasn’t cheap. I’d been saving for a while, probably enough for a down payment, but finding a place to buy didn’t just happen overnight. Rentals were rarer than hen’s teeth this time of year. Anything decent was already booked. I couldn’t kick one of our renters out of their home. That left me freeloading off other family, at least temporarily.

Zach lived on his sailboat. Unless I wanted to cuddle with him in his V-berth, that was a no-go. Even I wasn’t masochist enough to try to couch surf on his tiny galley bench. Cole lived too far away. Vi already had a roommate in Anya, but their couch might be my only option. I briefly considered asking Lee, but he didn’t have a guest room. Staying with him would be a major imposition. He guarded his privacy closely and worked wild hours.

Pride made it impossible to beg. Gran had a point. Other than the few years I’d gone away for school, I’d lived at the farmhouse my whole life. It was time to step out on my own.

Crashing at Vi’s place was my best option. And my worst. It wouldn’t be a big deal, except I’d just agreed to friendship with Anya. Friends helped friends. Letting me couch surf fit the criteria. Classic friendship move. Except the part where I had feelings for her. Which made sharing the same walls, the same air, seeing her every morning and evening, not just friendly, but dangerous.

No matter how much I told myself I could keep my distance and stay detached, being so close to her would test every boundary we put in place. One slip, one moment of weakness, and I’d be over the line, making a fool of myself. Breaking my promises.

Keeping my distance was the only answer. I’d be the ghostly third roommate, up before dawn and out late. She didn’t deserve to feel uncomfortable in her own home, and I couldn’t afford to let her unravel me.

Chapter 10 – Anya

Violet hung around after Wednesday’s morning yoga class. Usually, she took off with a quick wave. She had a short turnaround from the end of class to opening The Salty Pantry for the day. Today, she lurked by the active wear, perusing black leggings I knew she didn’t need.

“What’s up?” I asked after my last student left.

“I did something you might not like.”

“What?” I asked cautiously.

Violet was a stellar roommate. Clean. Quiet. We'd become fast friends. I’d forgive her just about anything at this point. She'd taken me in when I showed up on the island and stumbled into her shop, asking about rentals close to the studio.

“Gran kicked Drew out.”

“Shewhat? What did he do?” I couldn’t imagine them fighting. Scratch that. I could, but not about Drew living at the farm. He practicallywasthe farm. I’d seen more of him in town the last couple days than I had the entire time I’d lived in Friday Harbor.

“He says she wants him to have more of a social life, but I called her, and she said he was cramping her style. Knowing Gran, both versions are true.”