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Chapter 2
Fuck. The brunette wore a determined expression as she beelined her way toward him through the thinning crowd. He had hoped that their little reunion conversation earlier had been enough. He had let her keep talking about herself and all the fun they used to have in high school. All he could remember was that they had been to high school together.
“So, Jordan, will I get to see more of you?” She brazenly placed her palm on his chest and cast her eyes down his body.
“Avery, how d’you like the wedding?”
“It was great. Even better was meeting an old friend. Glad you’re paying us a visit.”
“I visit every year.”
“So, how come you never get in touch?” She patted his chest.
He was beginning to wonder how much she’d had to drink.
Why would he keep in touch? He had hardly remembered who she was when she had approached him earlier.
He went out on a limb. “I knew you’d be busy—marriage, kids, work. Right, Avery? You’re a busy vice-principal now. You wouldn’t have had the time for me.” He tried to keep it gallant and hoped that mentioning her position would make her cease what she was now doing—smoothing her palm over his chest, down to the part just above his midsection.
Looking around, Jordan hoped to find some excuse to get away.
“Well, like I told you, I’m divorced.” She grinned. “We could recreate the old days before you go back to D.C. Life’s A Beach is still operating. We could get together for a drink.” Avery now dragged her palm up his abdomen.
How different from Libby’s friend, who he had seen trying to hit on Josh at the bar. Maybe if she had tried that on Josh … But since it wasn’t working on him, maybe it wouldn’t work on Josh, either.
“One of your teachers is here,” he said, removing Avery’s hand from his body. The redheaded chemistry teacher had already left but mentioning her might help Avery get a grip. She seemed to be slightly swaying on her feet.
His mother had told him that Avery had pretty much invited herself to the wedding. “But I didn’t mind to have more Riviera View people to balance all the Wayforders your father invited,” his mother had said.
Avery dropped her hand to her side. “Yes. Hope Hays. We talked. She’s sweet, unlike her ex-husband. You might remember him. He was in your brother’s class. Eric Hays.”
“Oh yeah,” he said, recalling a fluffy sort of guy with all the snazzy surfers’ gear, minus the talent. “Had a new BMW the moment he got his license? That guy? The first PlayStation in all Riviera View? I think I remember him. Luke wasn’t a fan.”
Avery giggled. “Yeah, him. My ex may be guilty of a lot of things, but at least we share raising our son.” She brought her hand up to coquettishly touch his chest again. “Speaking of … he’s over at his dad’s now. So, how about you drive me and my car back to Riviera or … d’you stay here while you’re in Wayford?” She looked over at the upper windows of his parents’ house.
Jordan rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah, I do. Let me find you a ride back.” He wasn’t sure she should be getting behind a wheel, and he had no intention of taking her up on the offer.
“If I leave my car here, I’ll have to get it tomorrow. Will I see you then, Jordan Delaney?”
“Busy tomorrow. Post-wedding stuff.”
Spotting his aunt passing by, he called out, “Sylvia, do you have room in your car for one more? Avery here needs a ride back to Riviera.”
“Sure. We’ll be leaving soon. I’ll come get you, Avery dear.”
That was the great thing about these small towns—everyone knew everyone.
When he had first left for Cornell then to D.C., he had been relieved to get away from it, but at the age of forty-one, and after years in the dog-eat-dog, steel-cold of the capital’s politics, he appreciated the warmth, familiarity, and sense of belonging.
“Thanks, I guess?” Avery half-slurred.
“Take care, Avery. See you around.” He patted her arm then left, looking for his brother.
Spotting Luke with Libby sitting close together on one of the white patio sofas at the impromptu beach bar that had been erected by Life’s A Beach’s staff, Jordan marched over to join them.
Slouching on the soft cushions, he breathed out, “How are you two holding up?”
“Great, as long as Ava’s having fun, but I think she’s ready for this to be over, too,” Luke replied.
