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Julia laughed and ordered a beer. “Are you going back next semester? I’ll be around, getting my master’s.”
“That’s nice.”
Julia gazed at Cole, a look of confusion marring her face. “My name is Julia. I was in Aria’s class in architecture school before she dropped out.” Julia feigned concern, adding, “We really were so sad you didn’t return from your little sailing adventure. You’re a Baldwin, so we know it isn’t necessary that you get a job in anything. But you are so talented, Aria.”
Aria wanted to remind Julia that she’d spoken at length about Aria’s lack of talent just last year, but she decided it wasn’t worth it.
“You were missed at graduation,” Julia continued, as though she just couldn’t stop. “We had a big party and everything. Professor Judah gave a speech that made me cry.”
When Aria didn’t answer back, Julia returned her attention to Cole. Her eyes glinted flirtatiously. “Are you also a college dropout?”
“I never made it to college,” Cole answered.
“Oh? And what have you been doing with yourself if you’re not on a quest for knowledge?” Julia asked.
“I’m a sailor,” Cole explained.
Julia’s smile widened, and she slid onto the stool beside Cole. Aria recognized her eyes— they looked just like the eyes of the young woman in the miniskirt back in Martha’s Vineyard, the one who’d been so obvious about wanting Cole.
“Tell me. Where do you sail?” Julia asked.
Cole answered easily, as though he didn’t notice how interested in him Julia already was. “I mostly sail around Martha’s Vineyard. Last summer, I was working in the Caribbean, which is how I met Aria.”
“Oh! Is that why our Aria never came back?” Julia asked.
Cole glanced at Aria. “Aria has plenty of reasons that have nothing to do with sailing.”
Julia laughed, as though she hadn’t heard what Cole said. “Did you sail to Savannah?”
“Yeah,” Cole said. “It was nice to do a longer journey again.”
“I would love to be out there,” Julia said. “On the open water! Wow. It must feel exhilarating.”
Aria’s stomach twisted itself into knots. As Cole and Aria chatted, she ordered herself another beer, considering what to do with herself now that Cole was clearly flirting with one of her nemeses.
A few minutes later, Julia went to the bathroom, turned, and asked, “Save my seat, Cole?” Afterward, Cole turned back to find Aria deep in her next beer, her eyes glazed.
“Hey! You want to go?” Cole asked.
Aria shrugged flippantly. She wanted to scream.
“Are you having a bad time?”
“No, Cole. I’m having a fantastic time,” Aria shot back flatly. “It’s so nice to reconnect with old classmates.”
“Julia says you’re really talented. I knew it.”
Aria turned to glare at Cole, genuinely at a loss. “I’m not.”
“I’m sure you are,” Cole insisted.
Suddenly, Julia returned to the bar, all smiley, as though she’d been formed from glitter. Aria placed a ten-dollar bill on the counter and told the bartender she was out as Cole’s smile fell off his face.
“Where are you going?”
“I’ll meet you back in the room,” Aria said. “Stay out. You’re having fun.”
Before Cole could answer, Aria stormed out of the bar as tears slid down her cheeks. She felt foolish and youthful. When she reached the bed and breakfast, she stomped upstairs, donned a big t-shirt, and curled into a ball beneath the sheets. For a long time, she remained like that, quivering with sorrow.
