Page 27 of The Summer for Us (Golden Falls #1)

WESLEY

“Earth to Wesley.” Eliza waved her hand in front of my face. “Dude, you look exhausted. Did you not get enough sleep or something?”

Or something.

A beautiful brunette with bright-green eyes had been occupying my mind ever since we watched fireworks together a few nights ago. But, truthfully, she’d been in my thoughts long before then.

I sighed, shaking my head. “I’m fine. It’s been a long day.”

She raised her brows. “It’s eleven in the morning. The day just started.”

“I got up early today, so it’s been a long day for me,” I gritted. I ran a hand through my hair, tugging on the strands. “What’s with the interrogation?”

“Ah, I see.” Eliza nodded with understanding, a sly smile on her face. “You weren’t able to get good sleep, so you got up early to start your day.”

“Exactly. I?—”

“And that’s because you haven’t been able to stop thinking about Jules.”

Louise, who was a few feet away from us, snorted.

I narrowed my eyes at Eliza. “That’s not what—” I waved my hand to dismiss whatever she was conjuring up in her mind.

“Never mind. Let’s get back to onboarding.

” Eliza was basically a third little sister to me, so it wasn’t unusual for her to be giving me a hard time. I just didn’t like how she was right.

I had spent too much time these last few days overthinking my evening with Jules and if us opening up to each other changed anything.

I saw her differently now. I knew more about her.

But she was still only here for the summer, and I didn’t want to fall for someone who was only here temporarily.

Golden Falls was my home—I had no plans on leaving and no plans on giving up my dreams with Lake Ridge.

But, for the first time in a long time, I wondered what it would be like if things were different. If I initiated texts with Juliette or even stopped by the cabin to see her. If I gave in to that temptation.

I even told her the full story about what happened with Gretchen and my doubts about being enough or how jarring it was that the person I was seeing was lying to me and keeping secrets.

The way I was seen as an escape. It wasn’t until Juliette came into town that I realized how much my time with Gretchen had impacted me and closed me off from the world.

I didn’t want to be like that. I didn’t need to be everyone’s best friend, but I also didn’t want to be the guy who was constantly in a bad mood, constantly doubting people’s intentions.

I thought I had been in love with Gretchen, but time made me realize I wasn’t.

Because you can’t be in love with someone you don’t know.

Love was about seeing and appreciating all sides of a person—even during the tough times—and choosing them first. Every damn time.

That wasn’t what we had. Not even close.

Gretchen had never been a real part of my life, because she didn’t want to be.

It was such a contrast to the way Juliette lived.

She was fully embracing Golden Falls and wanted to be a part of it in every way she could, whether that was getting to know the locals, doing her freelance design work, spending time on the boat, or being friends with my sister. She was this town’s missing piece.

Which was exactly why I’d been keeping my distance from her this week.

I wasn’t avoiding her. Seriously, I wasn’t.

She was likely busy, anyway. Lily said there were a few business owners who wanted to work with Jules, as well as another couple of residents who wanted her help decorating their rental properties.

Yes, I’d gone to my sister to ask for an update on how Juliette was doing. And to see if she’d asked about me. I’d done it discreetly—or so I hoped. Otherwise, Lily wouldn’t let me live it down.

I tipped my chin toward the drink station, focusing back on the training Eliza and I had been doing. “If someone ordered a 7 and 7, what would that be?”

Eliza was catching on quickly. It helped she had bartending experience from college. It was a matter of jogging her memory of the drinks our customers ordered, particularly our regulars.

“A 7 and 7 is,” Eliza said as she turned around to face the wall of liquor, “Seagram’s 7 Crown whiskey and 7Up. With an optional lemon wedge garnish.”

“You got it. Any questions come to mind over what we’ve gone over today?”

Eliza tilted her head to the side as she thought. “If people want to order food, can we do that at the bar, or should we grab a server?”

That was something I’d been thinking through.

Lake Ridge had a limited food menu, but I wanted to expand it within the next year.

My goal was to turn Lake Ridge into a year-round stop for people.

I wanted to serve a limited, creative food menu during the day for people seeking a lunch or dinner spot and transition to smaller bites in the evening and into the night when people came to drink and dance.

Right now, we kept the late-night food menu simple: fries, cheese curds, chips and salsa, and nachos.

“At the bar is fine for now. Make sure to give them a table number, so they can place it wherever they’re hanging out if they’re not sitting at the bar. During the day, it’s not a problem, but things get hectic at night.”

Eliza nodded. “I’m excited for the plans you have for this place. You’re going to take Lake Ridge to the next level. Already, it’s such a draw to get people downtown.”

“Thanks. I’m glad to hear you’re excited. I hope you know there’s no pressure to stay on bartending. There’s a spot here for you if you want it, but if you need to step back, let me know. We’ll figure something out.”

I wanted to create something new and innovative for Golden Falls, taking ideas I’d seen bars and restaurants implement in Madison and other areas of the state.

As we expanded the food menu, I also wanted to implement sustainable practices, such as composting and encouraging customers to bring their own to-go containers for leftovers.

I also wanted to lead by example. If other businesses in town took note of Lake Ridge implementing these changes and succeeding, then they’d consider doing the same. Especially if I showed them how simple it was. It was a big dream, but it would be worth it.

Having Eliza’s help at the bar, as well as the college students who I hired for the summer, would free up my nights.

I knew it would take time to figure this all out, hire the right people long-term, and get the right vendors in place, but the only way forward was to start somewhere.

I was excited for the journey, but it definitely added a layer of stress to my already clouded mind.

As long as Juliette was in Golden Falls, I’d be distracted. I just had to get through the summer.

Eliza looked over at me as she was wiping and cleaning her station at the bar. “Your stress is stressing me out. Is he always like this?” She turned to Louise before turning back to me and saying, “Maybe you need to get laid, Wes.”

I nearly choked on my own spit. “Jesus, Eliza. I’m not fucking talking about this with you.”

She shrugged nonchalantly. “I’m just saying.”

“It’s a great way to relieve stress,” Louise agreed, getting ready to continue Eliza’s training by showing her how to stock the bar before each shift.

I groaned. I did not need this. My fuse was short today, and I didn’t need any more reminders about how fucking good Juliette Campbell likely looked naked. I had plenty of those thoughts in my mind already.

“I’m going to the back to see what booze I need to order for the week,” I grumbled, stalking my way toward the back.

“Jules likes a good Aperol spritz,” Eliza called. “Make sure you have the necessary ingredients stocked!”

The first thing I did was add prosecco and Aperol to this week’s inventory.