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Dani lifted her cup. “Yep, coconut caramel. Coconut to bid adieu to summer and the caramel to welcome autumn.”

“Hmm. Interesting.” Sadie took a sip and nodded. “Pretty good. I like it. I’ll see if Jill can label it during the festival as a limited flavor. Scarcity marketing will up her sales, especially if people like it and realize they won’t be able to get it after the weekend. Maybe she can sell bags of ground coffee, too, for even more sales.”

“See, I knew you were the right person to help us with the festival. Martha mentioned the copy you helped her write about the restaurant for the festival advertising. She was pleased, and if you remember Martha well, you know that’s not easy to do. You’re an asset to this island, Sadie. I hope you can see that…and grow your business from here.”

“Thanks, friend. So kind of you to say. I’ve always loved it here. And staying does seem like a possibility.” Sadie pushed to her feet and buried her left hand in the front pocket of her hoodie. “Ready to paint?”

Dani patted the bag on her shoulder. “Yep, got my paint clothes right here.”

As they headed toward Main Street, Sadie bumped her friend’s shoulder. “I appreciate it. And you. Lily’s going to join us if she and Declan get back from Port Joseph in time. They’re checking out some equipment for sale for the fudge shop.”

Dani rested her head on Sadie’s shoulder. “Back atcha. I certainly don’t mind, but I thought Asher was helping you.”

“Me too, but he hasn’t responded to my texts or calls since the night on the beach.” Sadie stopped and waved her arms, sloshing hot coffee over her hand. She winced and brought the side of her thumb to her mouth. “I’ve played that night over in my head, trying to figure out what I did to run him off.”

“What makes you think you did anything?” Dani looked at her coffee cup, suddenly interested in the pattern of splashed coffee on the plastic lid.

Sadie shoved her sunglasses to the top of her head. “Because things got a little weird after he complimented my singing and I brushed him off.”

“Asher’s not that sensitive. Talk to him. Ask him. I’m sure he has a good reason. Maybe he isn’t even on island right now.”

“I’ve tried, but I can’t have a conversation if he’s ghosting me.” She pulled Gran’s keys out of her pocket, unlocked the door and pushed it open.

A wave of lemon cleaner washed over her. She’d spent all day yesterday scrubbing the walls until her arms ached.

Dani lifted her nose as she stepped inside. “Smells good in here. You’ve been busy.”

“Scrubbing’s a good way to work out my frustrations.” Though the activity had done little to erase the events at the beach playing on a continuous loop in her head.

Dani dropped her backpack onto the front counter, dug out a change of clothes. She returned a couple of minutes later dressed in jeans with frayed holes on the thigh and a gray T-shirt with a white colosseum andRomain script across the top. She twisted her hair and clamped it away from her face with a clip.

Sadie nodded to her friend’s T-shirt. “You and Liam should plan a European honeymoon, so you can see those places in person instead of watching them on the Travel Channel.”

Dani sighed. “I wish. But that takes time and money. Two things that are in short supply right now. With the festivals I have planned for next year, the hotel renovations, and Liam’s business, I don’t see that happening.”

Rubbing her hands together, Dani glanced at the walls, still a dingy white despite Sadie’s hours of scrubbing. “Okay, where do you want me to start?”

Kneeling on the drop cloth on the floor in front of the display window, Sadie pulled a lid opener out of a Smith’s Hardware paper bag and pried open a can of bright white paint. Shegrabbed a stir stick and mixed the separated color. She pointed to the wall next to her. “Let’s begin here.”

Rocking back on her heels, Sadie placed her hands on her thighs and looked at her friend. “I need to ask you a question.”

Dani dug through the paper bag next to Sadie and pulled out a paint roller and tray. “Sure, anything.”

“Is there anything going on between you and Asher?”

Dani’s head jerked up as an incredulous look crossed her face. She blinked as her mouth dropped open, and a flash of hurt clouded her eyes. “What? Are you crazy? No way. I’m engaged to Liam, remember? Why would you even think that?”

Closing her eyes, Sadie bit her lip. Then she looked at her friend and shook her head. “I’m sorry. It sounded stupid the minute I said it. It’s clear you have eyes only for Liam.”

“Of course—I love him. Why would you ask me something like that?”

“You and Asher are different together. He talks to you.”

“He treats me like a kid sister. We’re friends. Nothing more.”

Heat warmed Sadie’s cheeks, making her wish she hadn’t opened her mouth and voiced the stupid thoughts. “I thought we were too, but every time I try to get him to open up, he shuts down. Is he keeping something from me?”

Something flickered in Dani’s eyes, but then it was gone as quickly as it came, so maybe Sadie had imagined it. Dani ran her hand over the roller. “Talk to him.”