Page 29 of Old Flames

Sebastien and Dick flocked to the table. Starstruck, Emily had eyes only for one, and it wasn’t Dick. “Sebastien Smith! My boyfriend is a big fan of yours. I gifted him the special edition collection for his birthday.”

Sebastien said, “That’s always nice to hear.”

Dick muttered, “Guess I’m a no-talent hack.”

“Don’t be cross,” Matty said. “Her boyfriend is not your demographic.”

Dick was cross. “I’m starting to wonder why I bothered to come here at all!”

“Quit complaining,” Matty said. “Not very dignified upper statesman of you.”

“You came for the same reason we all came,” Sebastien said with a shrug. “To get out of the house and live a little.”

Vicky gestured for Leo to pass her a shot glass. “By the way, Dick, this round is on you.”

Emily addressed Carlisle. “We carry Sweet Adelaide in our store. It’s a classic.”

Her attempt to smooth the old man’s feathers only made their small group roar with laughter.

Where is she?

Leo scanned the crowded bar only to spot Jules out on the terrace, alone, among the smokers and the texters. With a nod to Emily, he excused himself and headed out.

“What are you doing out here on your own, Jelly Bean?”

Her eyes lit up at the sound of his voice, and it drove Leo wild with happiness.

“Only Vicky calls me that,” she said, “and only when she’s three sheets to the wind. We’ll have to look out for her. She’s due to get sick in the ladies’ room in a half hour.”

“I’ll get Matty on that. He won’t mind,” he said. “I’d rather look out for you.”

Jules straightened her shoulders, stood a little taller. “You don’t have to do that.”

“It’s all I want to do,” he said.

Jules stiffened. “I’m fine,” she said. “I came out for fresh air. That’s all.”

With a hand to her lower back, Leo steered her off the terrace and onto the sidewalk, away from the smoky crowd. She didn’t swivel around to slap his face. He took it as the most delicious win. “The air is slightly fresher here.”

The sidewalk was no less crowded. A bachelorette in a torn white T-shirt, miniskirt, and cowboy boots marched by. She was surrounded by bridesmaids in similar outfits, in every color of the rainbow. Jules closed her eyes and breathed deep. The streetlight turned her amber skin gold.

“Tell me something,” he said.

Eyes still closed, she whispered, “Yes?”

“What was going through your mind at Higgs Beach? You looked . . . disturbed.”

She blinked her eyes open with a flutter of lashes. Now she looked truly disturbed, and he hated himself for it.

“I felt way too much on that tour.”

“What does that mean?” he asked.

“Never mind,” she said. “I don’t understand it myself.”

“It doesn’t have to make sense.”

She didn’t answer. Leo would have to learn to read her silences. Until then, he’d gently press for answers. “You can talk to me, July.”