Page 120 of From the Start

But can’t I make one mistake? I’ve proven to her over and over again how I’ve grown up. How serious I am about her. How much I love her.

I rub my chest as pain blossoms. I freaking love her and she kicked me to the curb over one measly mistake.

Okay. Fine. It was more than one measly mistake. But I could hardly tell her I was building the ramp in advance. It would have ruined the surprise.

Except I was the one who ended up surprised.

“Where are we going?” I ask once Rhett is driving.

“You’ll see,” Blossom sings.

“I still say we should blindfold him,” Miles says.

“There’s no reason to blindfold me. I’m here, aren’t I?” Under protest, but I’m here.

I study everyone’s faces but no one will meet my gaze. Crap on a retired smuggler. They’re up to something. And when the Raiders are up to something, the world holds its breath.

Rhett parks in downtown Smuggler’s Rest and we pile out of the vehicle. I aim forSmuggler’s Covebut Miles catches me and shoves me in the other direction.

“I don’t want to go toBootlegger,” I whine.

Mermaid Karaoke season might be over but the bar remains a pick-up joint. I have no interest in picking up anyone. Unless her name is Harper and she’s the grumpiest, stubbornest bar owner on the island.

“Good thing we’re not going toBootleggerthen,” Miles says and steers me into an alleyway.

I plant my feet. “No way. No how.”

“Come on,” he cajoles. “Rumrunnerhas the best dart boards.”

“We should alert the emergency room if Dakota is playing darts,” Blossom says.

Dakota glares at her. “I am not playing darts.”

“Phew. There aren’t enough bandages in the bar if you decide to play.”

“Let’s get burgers at theSalty Sireninstead. Since Dakota doesn’t want to go to theRumrunnereither.”

Dakota grins up at me before threading her arm through mine. “I want to go toRumrunner.”

I narrow my eyes at her. “You just lost one free babysitter.”

“Please, as if you can resist Mira and Pearl.”

“I’m serious, Dakota. This is cruel. I never thought you were a cruel woman.”

Rhett growls. “Dakota isn’t cruel. Watch your language.”

Dakota pats my arm. “It’ll be okay.”

“No, it won’t. I did everything right with Harper – treated her well, spoiled her with little gifts, paid attention to her, was there for her, acted nothing like my dad – and she left me anyway.”

Rhett whirls around to face me. “Hold on. Nothing like Dad? Are you worried you’re going to turn into him?”

“Mom says I’m the spitting image of him.”

“Having the same appearance as him, doesn’t make you him.”

I drop my chin and study the ground before I admit, “But I’m a goofball. I don’t take work seriously. Dad was the same.”