Page 49 of Not That Into You

We pull into a spot next to a white pickup truck. “Yes. It’s a fish farm.”

“A fish farm?”

He just smiles and gets out of the Jeep.

We walk toward the barn with its falling siding, missing shingles, and chipped paint. My eyes travel up the overgrown bush climbing the side of the building. Despite the neglect and disrepair, the overall effect is charming. It’s real.

And not what I expected in the Hamptons.

I follow Cameron up to a small counter cut out of the side of the barn. There’s a blackboard hanging next to the counter listing the day’s specials and a painted sign advertising clam pie. An older woman in dirty overalls with salt and pepper hair pulled back into a messy ponytail steps out and smiles at Cameron, who grins in return.

“Diane! How are you?”

“Can’t complain.” She looks Cameron up and down. “So, you’re back in town I see.”

The corner of his mouth twitches. “At least for the weekend. How’s your family?”

A smile spreads across her face. “My oldest just had another baby girl.”

Cameron grins. “Congratulations!”

Diane nods her thanks before moving her gaze to me, her expression turning curious.

Cameron puts an arm around my shoulder and pulls me close to his side. “Diane, this is my girlfriend, Monica.”

I stiffen as my smile wavers. There’s no need to introduce me as his girlfriend. His family isn’t around, and it’s highly unlikely they visit this fish farm, much less have intimate chats with Diane.

“Nice to meet you,” Diane says before turning back to Cameron. “What’ll you have?”

He looks at me, and I shrug. “You order. I’m not picky. Choose whatever you think is good.”

He grins and rubs his hands together before ordering enough seafood for a party of four. Cameron pays, and I pretend not to notice how much it costs. I’m accustomed to New York City prices, so I really shouldn’t be surprised at the cost of food in the Hamptons, dilapidated building or not.

We pick up our bottles of water, and I follow Cameron past a rustic pen full of white geese waddling around. One of them honks loudly, causing me to jump and clutch my chest as Cameron laughs.

“It’s just a goose, Monica.”

Scowling, I say, “I know, Cameron,” just as the avian menace honks again, this time in quick succession. I glare at it over my shoulder while noting how low the sides of the pen are and the absence of a roof.

Any of those stupid geese could literally fly the coop at any moment.

With that unsettling thought, I sit opposite Cameron at a picnic table, making sure the geese are in my line of sight.

“Sit over here, next to me.”

I frown. “Why? We don’t have to pretend I’m your girlfriend here. Speaking of which, why did you tell Diane I’m your girlfriend?”

He rolls his eyes. “Sit over here so you have a view of the bay.”

I glance behind me. He has a point. The farm is next to a long stretch of beach, and the water is picturesque.

“I’m fine.”

“You’re just scared of the geese.”

“No, I’m not.” I totally am. Especially that bastard who honked at me. He’s got a mean look about him.

“Uh huh. That’s why you don’t want to put your back to them.”

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