Page 25 of Tastes Like Summer

The girls crash into each other in a group hug, and for the first time, I wonder whether my cousin and her wife were right. Whether this friendship I thought was a blessing might end up being a curse—for all of us. Because I’m realizing that Rachel has come alive since making new friends, and maybe this thing I have for Diana is definitely more of a crush.

How high school of me.

A drum beating against my ribs, I can’t help my smile when I greet her with a simple, “Hey.”

“Hey back.” She grins, eyes fixed on mine.

After what could’ve been an hour or a second, Matt breaks through our silence—thank god—by sticking his hand out to her. “Hey I’m Matt, by the way. Matt Wilson.”

Diana greets him with her most beautiful smile, making me have to calm down the sudden feelings of jealousy coursing through me. I realize it’s irrational for so many reasons—we’re not dating and most of our interactions up until now have been tense. Not to mention the fact that Matt is married, for Christ’s sake—but it’s instinctual. My lizard brain yearns to yell Mine! and take her by the hand, maybe sneak a make-out session by the dunes.

It’s a new feeling, this possessiveness—it catches me off guard. In general, I’ve never been a jealous guy. The idea of barking the words “Get your hands off my girl” has never even crossed my mind. And yet, the second their hands meet, I feel a shift inside me.

Idiot, Michael. You’re an idiot.

“Hey, yeah. We’ve actually met. At Barbara’s wedding?” She smiles at Matt, who blushes in embarrassment.

“Oh, man. You’re right. I’m so sorry.” He facepalms.

Diana shakes her head softly, the wind blowing at the loose, soft tendrils framing her face. “No—don’t worry about it. It was a busy night, and we only spoke for five seconds.” She’s being way too kind to him. I can’t imagine anyone meeting Diana and forgetting about her—even if it was only after a five second conversation. “I also met your wife, who’s great, by the way.”

Matt smiles wildly, a goofy grin. I realize in that moment my jealousy is even dumber than I thought, because Matt is still head over heels for his girl and everyone knows it. “Yeah, Liza really is,” he tells her with a sigh.

“So how has your summer been?” he asks.

She blows a puff of air. “Well, it’s been good. Barbara has been amazing in letting us borrow her guest house—which, like, is the size of a normal-sized house, if you ask me.” The three of us chuckle in agreement. “I’m really bummed she couldn’t make it today, though.”

“That’s the life of a movie star,” he says with a grin.

“Ha. I guess so. I just feel bad because she’s been so good to us, and I have no idea how to even thank her. My daughters have been having an amazing time at camp and stuff this summer, and I definitely owe that to her. I mean, just ask Michael! They’ve definitely kept themselves busy with Rachel, too.”

“So we covered your daughters. But how has your summer been?”

I suppress a smile, because Matt was able to catch onto Diana’s habit to downplay the importance of her own happiness just like I have.

“Um,” she says, scratching the side of her nose. “It’s mostly been busy for me, too. I’m either working or with the girls, so I haven’t had much time to explore the towns or anything. This is actually my first time at the beach in the entire six weeks I’ve been here. Or at least since Barbara’s wedding.”

“Wait, really? Well, thankfully you have this guy over here to invite you out to these types of events, am I right?” Matt slaps me on the back. I glare back at him. “He’s just so nice and generous.”

Diana presses her lips together, suppressing a knowing smile when her gaze meets mine, right before turning back to Matt. “Oh, yes. Michael has been an absolute treat.” She laughs.

“Hey,” I grumble. “I thought we were in a truce. Or at least moving towards a friendship?” Sigh. I hate this. I hate that I want her to like me.

“I’m just joking.” She lightly elbows me in the side with a laugh. “Michael has been really nice. Lately, at least. And inviting us to this was super sweet of him. Otherwise, my daughters and I probably would’ve just stayed at home after hitting the parade.”

“Not a chance. I never would have let that happen.” I say it with such conviction, I even surprise myself.

Matt laughs and raises his brows at me. “Alright, then. Well, I need to go find my wife and ask whether I can get her anything to eat. Food is her love language. It was really nice seeing you. I’ll tell Liza to come say hi.”

“I’d love that.” She smiles—that perfect, open smile I wish she’d give me just once.

Matt leaves us by the edge of the group of umbrellas, walking away with a knowing smirk.

Fucker.

Diana looks around our set-up. “This looks incredible. Like something out of Martha Stewart or Ina Garten. Did you do all this?”

I turn and look around, filled with pride. A normal man might feel insecure after being compared to those two legendary women, but I’m not closed-minded to let it affect me. “Yeah, but Lexi and her wife helped.”