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“You look really happy, Ellie.”

“I am happy, Mom.”

“Good.” Standing, Isla pulled Ellie up and into a tight hug. “I love you, baby.”

“I love you too, Mom.”

“I just can’t believe my baby girl has her first girlfriend.”

“Well, not officially.”

“Well, then you know what you need to do then, hmm?”

“Ask Mason about how to ask her out?”

Isla busted out laughing as she put an arm around Ellie’s waist. They walked up to the pathway laughing.

“Whatever you do, don’t take Mason’s dating advice.”

Chapter 24

Sadie

With the first day at the Mackenzie’s beach house under her belt, Sadie felt herself relax some. Dinner had been so fun and casual that it felt as if she’d been having dinners with them for years. After dinner, they’d played volleyball in the pool before having s’mores around the firepit. By the time Sadie and Ellie made their way up to Ellie’s room, Sadie was exhausted.

Sadie had showered first, which meant she was currently lying on the trundle bed mindlessly scrolling on her phone and texting her mom. Delaney had wanted all the details, but Sadie had left out the part about getting caught kissing Ellie again.

How Isla and Vera seemed to have a sixth sense toknowwhen they were kissing was beyond fascinating, and a little worrisome, to Sadie. Would they be able to kiss without being interrupted? Or were they doomed to constantly be interrupted by Ellie’s parents?

All Sadie knew was that she definitely wanted to kiss Ellie again.

And to know what she and Isla talked about on the beach.

When Vera had led Sadie back to the house, she was fully expecting a lecture on how she shouldn’t be kissing Ellie. But instead, Vera taught her how to make manicotti pasta and a homemade marinara sauce. They’d laughed in the kitchen with Alexis and Chase as they asked her questions about college and her major. Sadie was currently planning to be an education major with hopes of one day being a teacher and softball coach. The impact Charlie and her other coaches had had on her led her to want to be that person for the next generation.

Vera had mentioned that Ellie didn’t have a career path set yet, which surprised Sadie. Ellie was one of the most confident people she knew. And with her multiple connections to Broadway and natural presence on stage, Sadie had assumed Ellie would be heading for Broadway as soon as she could.

The bathroom door creaked open as Ellie stepped out in only a towel. Sadie felt her heart quicken and her palms begin to sweat as she tried to force her eyes to stay on her phone. Which waswayeasier said than done with Ellie’s damp hair, tanned arms, and long legs vying for Sadie’s attention.

“Sorry, I forgot my pajamas.”

“It’s okay,” Sadie tried to play it cool but knew she failed. Her voice was awkwardly raised as she suddenly wondered if Ellie was a cute pajama wearer. All Sadie wore was basketball shorts and an old T-shirt. Ellie probably had curated sets for each day.

And Sadie bet she looked amazing in them.

Focus, Baxter.

As Ellie went back into the bathroom, Sadie tossed her phone onto the bed and rolled over onto her back. The ceiling fan was whirling above her, which made Sadie thankful. She couldn’t sleep without the fan on, so was glad Ellie seemed to be the same way.

“Okay,” Ellie breezed out of the bathroom, walked past Sadie, and jumped onto the bed above her. Like Sadie, she was wearing shorts—although much shorter than Sadie’s—and a T-shirt from Eden’s current Broadway show. She rolled onto her side to look down at Sadie. “Hi.”

Sadie giggled, “Hi.”

“I’m glad you’re here.”

“Um, yeah. Me, too.” Sadie didn’t know why she was trying so hard to play it cool with Ellie. Her tongue hadliterallybeen in her mouth a few hours ago. “Thanks for inviting me.”

“Anytime.”