Endless Summer Elin Hilderbrand Novels & Stories

——— Elena stood barefoot at the edge of the water, the cool waves lapping at her toes. The sky stretched endlessly above her, painted in soft streaks of orange and pink as the sun dipped toward the horizon. She inhaled the salty air, but the tranquility of the scene didn’t reach her. Her thoughts churned just like the restless tide. The last thing Elena had expected was to find herself on this trip, an attempt to mend the cracks in her marriage to Andrew. But as she stared out at the endless stretch of water, she questioned whether anything was left to repair.

Just a driftwood arch draped in soft linens, the music of the waves, and the scent of salt and spring in the air. Elena wore a flowing dress the color of sand, simple and soft, with delicate embroidery that Lila had insisted was “magic thread.” Her hair was loose, kissed by the wind, and tucked behind one ear was a single white daisy—Lila’s last-minute addition. She walked barefoot, every step grounded and intentional, as if her past had finally released her hold.

I started mixing drinks at Frank's family restaurant, hiding out behind the bar. Frank went full secret agent mode, locking down all my info. He even hooked me up with a fake ID. It worked like a charm. Thomas could not track me down overseas, and eventually, he gave up and went back home. I could finally breathe easy. However, six months later, I suddenly got an email. It was from Tracy, of all people. She spilled her guts, saying she bailed on the Wells family not long after I ditched Thomas. She had been battling it out with Thomas for years, trying to get the upper hand in the Wells family drama.

You'd think she was the one turning 18 with how giddy she was. I went to my room, freshened up, and took my time getting dressed. I slipped into a soft white romper that clung comfortably to my frame, hugging me in all the right places without trying too hard. The hem reached just mid-thigh, and the halter neckline tied into a dainty little bow behind my neck. It didn't show off much cleavage, but it was backless, perfect to keep things breezy. The wavy pattern on the fabric reminded me of soft ocean ripples. Perfect for a summer beach party.

Bryson handed me the gift box with a smile. "I picked this out for you. See if you like it." Caught off guard, I looked at him. "A gift?" As soon as I lifted the lid, my eyes widened in disbelief. Inside was a white velvet gown, embroidered with intricate lace and adorned with countless tiny diamonds that sparkled in the sunlight. Unable to stop myself, I reached out to touch it. The fabric felt luxurious, and the craftsmanship was exquisite.

" What Jonah said clearly struck a chord with Adele. She no longer hid her arrogance. She raised her wrist, showing me the gold locket that my parents gave me when I was ten years old. My eyes instantly reddened. "Give it back to me! Hand it back!" I pounced at her. She was caught off guard by my sudden attack, and she fell to the floor. Jonah glared at me. "Adele!" Adele first cast me a provocative glance before yelling, "Jonah, my tummy hurts!" I was so focused on getting back my gold locket, yet I completely forgot about Jonah, who only had eyes for Adele. Slap!

It was just a hug, nothing like the couple we'd seen practically devouring each other. Summer grinned, clearly unconvinced. "Real married couples are the best! Someone took pictures of you two, by the way. Might end up online!" "What?" I stared at her in alarm. "We're not celebrities. Why would anyone photograph us?" "Because you and Mr. Carter are gorgeous together, that's why!" I quickly changed the subject, feeling embarrassed. "Did you pack Elissa's wedding gift?" "Of course! It's in my luggage." Summer and Elissa had grown quite close over the years, so naturally, she'd been invited to the wedding as well. We chatted about the recent Oakley competition until the boarding announcement ca

It was just her luck she’s meet a great guy when she had to hide from the mob. She stepped out onto the porch of the cabin and took in a deep breath. He wasn’t here yet. There wasn’t a thunderstorm today, which she was glad of. The sun was starting to creep closer to the mountains for the night, and the scent of pine was thick in the air. It always amazed her how late the sun set in the summer.