“Yeah she came in today to get a new bikini to impress him. Girl’s got a smoking bod, right, Iz?”
Isabel rolls her eyes. “She seems nice enough.”
Whit stands abruptly. “I gotta get back to the beach.” He offers me his fist and I bump it. Then he leaves me alone with the two girls.Thanks, man.
The girls watch him go before shifting their gaze back on me. I also stand, ready to make my escape. Jessica has more to say.
“Look, I’m not a gossip or anything, but Summer did say something today that seemed a little weird.”
“What’s that?” I pull my shirt over my head, planning my escape.
“That she and Justin have some kind of ‘understanding’ about their relationship. Like, I think she has a crush on Whit. I didn’t want to say anything while he was here, because how awkward would that be?”
“Awk-ward,” Isabel adds.
Jessica continues. “I mean, I know Justin’s always kind of been a player, but his best friend? That seems a little low.”
Isabel chimes in, “And slutty.”
I hold up my hands. “Stop.”
She steps back. “What?”
“A word of warning. Don’t mess around with Summer. And definitely do not mess around with Justin and Whit. What’s going on between them is their business.”
“So thereissomething going on?” Jessica asks, her eyes wide.
“No. That’s not what I said.” It’s totally what I said. Fuck. “I’m just telling you, Summer isn’t one of these basic townie girls sleeping around with everyone. She’s in college. She’s smart. She’s got roots here.” I look them both in the eye. “She had a hard time last year and things are finally settling down for her. Just be nice.”
“We can be nice,” Isabel says, with a face that’s decidedly not nice.
Jessica elbows her. “Okay, we’ll be nice. Honestly, I was just trying to do the guys a solid if they didn’t know what was going on.”
I walk over to the recycling bin and toss in my water bottle. I move to the boardwalk and say, “Trust me, if anyone doesn’t know what’s going on, it’s you.”
34
Summer
I don’t knowhow Justin feels about my new bikini when I arrive at the beach that afternoon, but if Pete is any indication, Jessica chose well.
I’m walking down the boardwalk with my bag and chair when he runs up the steps from the sand. His light brown hair is wind-tousled and his skin isn’t quite tan yet, but his board shorts hang perfectly over his hips and my heart flip-flops.
“Hey, you,” he says, taking both items from my hands and leaning them against the railing. Then he gives me a kiss. “I feel like it’s been forever.”
“You’re too busy. I don’t like it.”
“It’s been a crazy summer so far. I’m still finishing my internship in Myrtle Beach, but it only lasts until the end of May. Once June gets here I’m all local, between working at trailer park and marina.”
“Good. I hate missing you all the time.” Once again, I came home to find flowers on the bed. It’s a nice little reminder. “I feel like we’re ships passing, or whatever that saying is.”
“Well, I’m here now. Want to get wet?”
He grabs my stuff and I follow him down to the beach. Warmer weather is creeping up on us and the afternoon turned hot, encouraging everyone to get in the water. Ivy and Maggie are floating in tubes in the deep-set tide pools. My boys are deeper in the water, sitting on their boards, waiting for the perfect wave.
“Why aren’t you with them?” I ask, pulling my shirt and shorts off.
Pete’s eyes are glued to my body. “And miss you? Not a chance. That bikini is fantastic.”
