Page 165 of Summer After Summer

“I agree,” Fred says, “but he knows me from way back.”

“Ah yes, you said. Off you go, then.”

Fred gives me a fleeting look, then leaves as Wes closes the door firmly behind him.

He turns to me slowly, and for a moment I’m afraid, though Wes’s never been violent or even angry.

“All right now, Olivia. Do you want to explain what the hell is going on?”

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

August 2023

Today’s is the last day in the house—the auction, the closing, the party. And then back to New York in the morning, back to my life.

The day is gray and cool, and I wake up nervous, like I’ve forgotten to do something. I push the feeling down as I get ready. It’s been a hectic few days, finalizing everything. Lucy has been around to help, but the concussion meant that she couldn’t look at screens. So, I became her assistant, making a list of suggested prices, looking up the history of some of the older items.

Things were weird between us. I tried to bring it up a few times, and then finally, yesterday, when we were in the dining room, cataloging the china, Lucy closed her eyes and leaned her head back on a chair that I’d just learned was a Biedermeier.

“Your head okay?” I asked.

She was pale and thinner than earlier in the summer. “Just a dizzy spell. They happen.”

“We can stop for the day.”

“It’s fine. I’ll be okay in a minute.”

“How long do they say that you’ll have symptoms?”

“They’re not sure. Maybe as long as six months.”

“That long?”

She opened her eyes slowly. “Stupid me. Showing off.”

“Fred should’ve caught you.”

“It’s not Fred’s fault.”

“Sorry, is it weird talking about him?”

She smiled. “Not at all. It was never serious between us. Not like with James.”

“Serious already?”

“Yes, it is.”

I reached out and touched her hand. “I’m happy for you.”

“Thank you. James is fond of you.”

“I like him too.”

“And Fred?”

I looked away. “What about Fred?”

“I know you guys have a history.”

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