Page 58 of Summer After Summer

“Are you doing anything to celebrate?”

I sneak a peek at him. His face is open, candid, like he’s talking to someone he just met at a cocktail party. But there’s a spark of interest too. He can’t quite keep that in check.

“I haven’t given it much thought. I didn’t know I was coming out here till right before I did.”

“When you heard I’d bought the house?”

“What? No.”

We’re at my driveway, facing each other. The top of his shirt is open, and he has a triangle of tan between his collarbones. There’s a line of sunburn too, across the bridge of his nose, following the path of his freckles.

I wish with every fiber of my being that I didn’t find him so attractive. That I could forget the feel of his hands on me.

“I didn’t know you’d done that until I got here.”

“Charlotte didn’t tell you?”

“She did not.”

“You two in a fight?”

“No. Why do you ask?”

“You sound angry.”

“Well, I am.”

“At me?”

I cross my arms, then regret it. I’m going to need to tape my side at the very least. “Of course at you.”

“What did I do?”

“Come on, Fred. You bought my family’s house and didn’t even tell me about it.”

“Would you have taken my call?”

That stops me. I don’t know what I would’ve done if Fred had called.

“I didn’t think so,” Fred says.

“You didn’t give me the chance to find out—”

“Not this time, but—”

“—and you haven’t told me why you bought it or what you intend to do with it.”

“You really want to know?”

We stare at each other for a beat, and I can’t read him. Does he want to tell me? Or is he shielding me from something that might hurt me? I can’t take the risk.

“I guess not.” I reach for my bag, and he gives it to me. “Thanks for bringing it here.”

“Sure. I hope your side’s okay.”

“Thanks.” I turn to leave.

“Wait, Olivia.”

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