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I’m still mildly ticked, but I open her door for her anyway. It’s how I’d want a guy to treat my little sister.
“I’m surprised he sold it. He loved this thing almost as much as his Harley.”
Yes, yes he did.
“Which way?” I ask at the end of the driveway. I haven’t been left, and the explorer in me is coming to life. What’s up the beach in that direction?
She points left. “That way!”
Yes! I make the turn and drive past a few more houses roughly as grand as the Walkers’, but then the scenery turns more mid-range, although I’m certain the price tags on these more modest places are also far beyond what I could ever hope to afford. Beachfront property comes at a cost pretty much wherever you are.
I like the drive. It’s much more scenic than the other direction. More rural. More relaxed. Surprisingly, the silence is comfortable.
“Here!” she shouts suddenly, grabbing my arm. “Turn here!”
Alright already. I have precious little time to react, but I’m able to make the turn in time, into the parking lot of a clapboard, stilted building sitting over the surf itself.
Oh no. I should have specified.
I open my mouth, but Annalise is already hitting the sandy ground. “This place is so awesome. Best crab cakes anywhere on the coast. Trust me.”
My stomach begins a slow roll. I get out, meeting her at the front end of the truck. “Uh, Annalise.”
“Yes?” Her shiny ponytail whips the air as she turns.
I eye the building. “Do they have hamburgers?” Chicken strips perhaps?
“IDK.” She shrugs and, yes, she speaks in texting shorthand. “Why? I’m telling you they have the best seafood ever.”
“Yeah, well I don’t do seafood.Ever.”
She looks at me like I’m crazy, but personally, I think anyone who eats the smelly stuff is the one who’s off. “But you’ve tried it before, right?”
“Of course.”
She squints up at me. “You’re lying.”
I square up. “Am not.”
“Are too.”
How dare she call me a liar? I may be from time to time, but that’s beside the point. The point is I’m not going anywhere near the stinky stuff.
She moves closer, chin high. “What have you tried?”
“Stop it, Lise.” I force a warning into my tone.
“What? Frozen fish sticks?”
I glance out to sea as heat creeps above my collar.
“That’s it, isn’t it?” She starts laughing like I’m the funniest thing she’s come across in ages. “I promise you, that’s not even close to real seafood.”
“Doesn’t matter.” I’m not doing it.
Now she gets fully in my face. “What? Are you chicken?”
I scowl, but um, yeah. Chicken would be far preferable.
