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“Yes,” we all said, and with a little cajoling, she put everything on over her bathing suit and let us take pictures.
Esme set up a little minibar with the top of the cooler and we got to test out the drink she’d created for the wedding.
“Love it,” Linley said. The drink was a lemony minty thing with a hint of something else I couldn’t put my finger on. It didn’t taste too much like alcohol, which was what made it so dangerous. We’d have to pace ourselves.
Only a few of us were brave enough to take a dip in the ocean. It was still so early in the season, so the temperature was brisk and bracing. Paige, our resident polar bear, did a few laps like it was nothing.
“It’s like she doesn’t even feel it,” Esme said as we waded in up to our ankles, shivering until our feet went numb.
“Yeah, no thanks,” I said, and she agreed with me.
“So, I’d like to make a toast,” Paige said, getting up. Linley blushed and tried to get her to stop.
“I like to think that I’m responsible for Linley getting to marry the love of her life in less than two months. We were at a pub, and she saw a cute boy in the corner. I told her to talk to him, and the rest is history. You deserve the world, Linley. You deserve someone to treat you like the treasure that you are, and we’ve all seen that Gray does that. We’re thrilled for you both and can’t wait to celebrate you. Here’s to Linley and Gray!” We all cheered.
“Thanks, everyone,” Linley said. “It really means so much to have all of you here.”
I sat back as Paige and Em teased Linley with stories from when they were younger, and things that had happened in school and other funny anecdotes. I’d been with the group long enough that I didn’t feel completely out of place or like I didn’t belong.
Once we were crisped from the sun, we headed over to the new little food truck in the back parking lot in the main part of town. To celebrate Summer Daze, they’d already set up some tents and picnic tables, so we commandeered two of those and grabbed lobster rolls and fresh-made potato chips and hydrated with fresh-squeezed lemonade.
“We should have built in a nap time,” Natalie said, yawning as we lounged on the picnic tables.
“Sorry, I didn’t add that in,” Paige said.
To keep ourselves going, we did some window shopping in Castleton, and checked out the new shops that had just opened. They included a music box store, a stationary store, a dispensary, a new eye doctor, and a jewelry shop.
From there it was over to Pine State Bar and Grille.
“I can’t believe you talked me into this,” Esme said, cringing. If there was one thing she hated, it was karaoke night.
“But you love it when people get wasted and jump up on the bar and sing,” Paige said.
“I mean, I do when it’s spontaneous. And short-lived. When I have to deal with it for hours, it starts to get to be too much,” she said, looking at the building with trepidation.
“Come on, it’ll be fun,” Paige said, grabbing Esme’s arm as she groaned.
“You up for it?” Em asked Natalie.
“You have no idea,” Natalie said with a grin.
“I’m not singing,” Linley said, but we all ignored her.
* * *
A few baskets of wings and fries later, we were back to drinking, but this time it was shots.
I didn’t plan on trying to do anything tomorrow.
Once Linley had a few shots, she seemed to forget all her promises not to sing and serenaded us with a stirring rendition of “Driver’s License” that made everyone give her a standing ovation. Natalie and Em did a duet, and Paige somehow convinced Esme do one as well. I joined in for the group songs, happy to be squished with these women. I was tipsy and happy and feeling so lucky that I’d moved to Castleton.
And that was when I looked up and saw someone watching us, sitting in the corner with an unreadable expression on her face.
Her jawline was even sharper under the light of a neon beer sign above her.
Alivia.
I faltered with the lyrics before finding my way back with everyone else and finishing the song, all of us cheering and falling over each other as we went back to our table.
