Not that it matters. After our dinner at the Morton’s house, I went home and promised myself I wouldn’t be the one to change the rules.
“All I’m saying is, Finn seems really nice. Ask Mila, rumour has it she dated him years ago.”
Summer’s voice penetrates my thoughts and I try to catch up on what they’re talking about.
“I’m not going to be sloppy seconds to Mila,” Serena replies indignantly, squeezing my arm tightly. “You can’t come after a ten like her and expect to measure up.”
I scoff at that. “Oh, please. Serena, you’re a twelve with your dancer body and long blonde hair. Besides, Finn and I dated for like, a month, years ago. Guaranteed you wouldn’t be second. That man goes through women like I go through bags of flour at the bakery. A new one every week.”
“Are you talking about me, Mila Monroe?”
I instantly blush as Finn McNeil, one of my brother’s good friends, comes up beside me.
“Hello, ladies, looking lovely today.”
If it were possible to have a degree in flirting, Finn would be top of the class. He drapes his arm over my shoulder, and our friendship is the only thing preventing me from shoving him away.
“You don’t think it’s odd that hearing me talk about a manwhore makes you think I must be referring to you?” I poke him in his side.
“I can’t help it if I’m irresistible.”
“Are you going to help me choose wine for the barbecue or not?” Summer interrupts, taking Finn’s arm and dragging us over to the booth he’s running. Finn is the new head sommelier at a local winery, and he offered to provide wine for Summer’s re-opening barbecue at Oceanside Resort happening next week.
The next half hour is spent sampling wine, eventually settling on a white and a rosé. We leave Finn with his promise to deliver a case of each to the resort for the barbecue, and make our way to the food trucks lined up on the edge of the market. Once the four of us have our lunches, we find an empty picnic table and sit down to eat.
“Things looked pretty cozy between you and Jackson the other day,” Summer comments casually, smiling at me over her salad.
“Mmhmm,” I mumble, quickly taking a large bite of my grilled brie and fig jam sandwich, hoping to avoid having to answer.
“Ooh, yes, c’mon Mila, we haven’t heard anything.” Serena waggles her eyebrows at me. “You never let Summer tell us about her sex life, so you have to share yours!”
“That’s because Summer is dating Mila’s brother and it would be incredibly uncomfortable for her to hear about his sexual encounters,” Paige chimes in, before turning toward me and adjusting her tortoiseshell rimmed glasses. “But given how lackluster the intimacy has been in this month’s book club pick, I think we would all appreciate a salacious story or two.”
“Enough with the big words, Paigey,” Serena nudges Paige before clapping her hands together. “Now. Out with it, Mila.”
I can feel the heat on my face and I know that I’m blushing. But all three of them are looking at me expectantly. “The sex is great.” It is. Or, it was.
“And…” Summer gestures at me.
“And.” I shrug. “I don’t know, guys, this is weird. It’s really great.”
Serena throws up her hands. “You’re hopeless.”
Paige takes pity on me and stands up from the table. “Come on, we can’t force her to talk. Not without alcohol.”
“Then let’s go back to Finn and get a bottle or two.”
“You’re ridiculous,” I say, standing up with Paige. “Come on, I want to check out the rest of the market.”
By no small miracle Serena and Summer drop the subject of my sex life, and we continue on. By the time we leave the market, we’re all full of delicious samples, and bags overflowing with produce and artisanal goodies. I forgot how much I love the farmer’s market. Years ago, I considered having a stall here to sell my muffins. But when Mom and Dad died, that idea got pushed way down to the bottom of my priority list. Maybe once Mom’s café is up and running, I can think about it again.
Thinking about the café makes me think about the other day, watching Jackson help Ethan. It was clear he had no idea what he was doing, but the look of pride when Ethan clapped him on the back and thanked him for his help was endearingly sweet.
Back at my house, I let Milo out into the yard to run around and play, and I open the messaging app on my phone.
MILA: Want to meet up for a walk with Milo later today?
JACKSON: Sure. It’s been a few days since we were seen out and about.
