“I knowofher. She’s basically my favorite super famous author.”
“She’d be happy to know you consider her famous.”
“We don’t have a lot of celebrities around here. She counts as mega famous.” He sits on the bench next to me. I shift into Justin, giving him some room. “I read her book on Gaskins. Hell, I’ve read all her books. She’s an incredible writer.”
“So, you like true crime?”
“Absolutely.” His voice carries a southern, surfer-skater lilt. “Do you think she’d sign my Gaskins book?”
I smile. “I’m sure she would. She’s on a book tour right now, but bring it by the bookstore and I’ll make sure.”
“Awesome!” His face lights up. “Thanks, Summer.”
He drops his board with a clatter, stands, and rolls off.
“Wow, so he’s…”
“Different,” Justin says. “I’ve known Avery forever. He’s a little odd. Hangs out down here all the time. Dropped out of school.” He grins. “You know that guy inDazed and Confused? The one that hits on all the teenagers?”
I shake my head.
“It’s a classic. You’ve got to watch it. If you want any idea on what it’s like to be a townie—check that out.” He looks across the pavement at Avery attempting a jump. And failing. “Ouch. Anyway, that’s him. The guy that never really grows up.”
“He doesn’t spend all his time figuring out how to maximize his uncle’s business and dorking out in accounting classes?”
He lifts his leg so he’s straddling the bench, facing me. “Hey, not everyone can just be a pretty face. I can’t help that I have a massive brain.”
“Oh, you mean Pete?”
I copy his move and we’re face to face. He pushes the food garbage to the ground and grabs my hips, pulling me close.
“You think you’re funny, don’t you, Summer Barnes?”
What I think falls away as the sounds of the skate park vanish, drowned out by the thundering of my heart. Justin’s got me pinned with the touch of his hand against my hip and a look. A hard look, and it makes every inch of my body want to combust. My breath catches when he touches my chin, lifting my mouth to his for a sweet kiss.
When we part, my hand is fisted in the hem of his shirt. After composing myself, I ask, “WWATD?”
Justin tilts his head. “What?”
“What Would A Townie Do? Right now. After a kiss like that?”
He licks his lips and his eyes dance in the shadowy light. “I’d make my move. Slide my arm around your shoulder. Lead you back behind that dune. Hope I’d get lucky.”
I snuggle under his arm and ask, “Want to go back to my place instead?”
Before he kisses me again, he says, “Hell yes,” and this time I lead him back to the dunes and through the darkness.
29
Justin
I followSummer through the dunes, back to the car, and across the bridge like a heat-seeking missile. Her blonde hair guides me like a halo and she moves quickly, completely unaware of her effect. I can’t believe a year ago I almost let her go because of my own hang-ups. I would have missed out on all of this. On her.
I kiss her in the dunes, against the Jeep, at the stoplight blinking by the pier. I kiss her against the tree outside her trailer, against the smooth metal door, and again once we’re inside.
Her hip bangs against the table and my head grazes the ceiling, but I don’t stop.Shedoesn’t stop. When her knees hit the edge of the bed, I push her hair out of her face and say, “Thank god you came back.”
Her forehead furrows. “You didn’t think I would?”
