Paige scanned the invitation. “So Ryan is getting married and it’s a beach wedding. Lobster bake. Dancing at the Ocean Club. Sounds like the perfect way to spend a summer weekend. Puffin Island at its best. It’ll be fun. You’re going?”
“Yes. Ryan is a friend. It should be a great weekend.”
She put the invitation back. “The invitation says ‘and guest.’ Who are you taking?”
He hadn’t planned on taking anyone, but an idea took root in his mind.
“I’m taking Frankie.” It would do them both good to get away from the city. New York in the summer was heaving with tourists and the heat was suffocating. Sea air would be welcome.
Judging from his sister’s expression, she didn’t agree. “Frankie wouldn’t go to Puffin Island if she was drugged and unconscious.”
“Why not?”
“First, there’s the fact that this is a romantic beach wedding and we both know how much Frankie loves romantic weddings. And then there’s the biggest obstacle of all—”
“Which is?”
“Frankie hasn’t been back to the island since she left for college.”
“You’re exaggerating.” Conscious that he was going to be late, Matt picked up his phone and slipped it into his pocket.
“And you’re an
noying! She’s my best friend, Matt. I’d know if she had been back.”
He stilled, shock trickling through his veins like ice water. “You’re serious? She’s never been back to the island? Not once?”
“No. Why would she? It doesn’t have happy memories for her.”
“But—” He dragged his hand over the back of his neck, trying to process this new information. “Shit.”
“Well, that’s eloquent.”
“I thought—”
“What did you think?”
He’d thought that he knew her, but he was starting to understand just how little he knew.
And how much he wanted to know.
“I think it’s time she went back.”
His sister gave him an exasperated look. “You’ll never persuade her, but what if you did and then someone was mean to her? Have you thought about that?”
“No one is going to be mean to her.” He kept the sudden rush of anger firmly leashed.
“How do you know that?”
“Because I’ll be there. The whole time.”
Paige rolled her eyes. “Mr. Protective. Are you taking a white horse and a suit of armor?”
“No. Just my natural charm.”
“You’re annoying sometimes.”
“You’re annoying a lot of the time.” But he saw the anxiety in her eyes and relented. “I know she’s your friend, but you’re going to have to trust me on this.”