Page 98 of Summer After Summer

Wes’s face breaks into a wide grin. It’s one of the things that made me fall in love with him—how his mood is infectious. He’s one of those people who walk into a room and change the weather, bringing sun where there’s been clouds.

“You look great,” he says.

“I need a shower.”

He takes a couple of steps toward me and lowers his voice. “You know I like it when you’re messy.”

I put a hand up. I might not know what I want from Wes right now, but this intimate tone is not it. “Too soon.”

“Sorry.”

I step away. “Can I have some of that, Aunt Tracy?”

“You want real eggs, yes?”

“Yes, please.”

“Egg whites are better for your heart,” Wes says lightly.

Lots of things would’ve been better for my heart. Him not cheating on me, for one. “I’ll take the cholesterol in small doses, thank you.”

We take a seat at the island. There’s a pitcher of fresh-squeezed orange juice, something I haven’t seen since I’ve been here, and there are newly cut flowers in the vase in the center of the island. Fresh flowers in the entrance way too, come to think of it. We haven’t even received the money from the sale yet, and it’s already changing things.

“How is the cleanout going?” Wes asks as he pours me a glass of juice.

“Slowly.”

“Are you finding anything fun? Like old newspapers or secret letters?”

“Mostly a lot of dust and outdated clothing and furniture.”

“Don’t forget to check all the hiding places. Didn’t you tell me there was some secret cupboard or room in the library, or something?”

“I’d forgotten about that.”

“Maybe it’s full of buried treasure.”

“I highly doubt it.”

“What are you going to do with all the furniture?” Wes asks.

“We’re going to do an estate sale with Lucy.” I explain to him how I’m cataloging everything in the app Lucy sent me. How it’s going to take the rest of the summer, probably, to get it done in time for the auction.

“And what’s Ann’s role in all of this? Where did she come from?”

“Her father is a lawyer in town. She brokered the sale.”

He raises an eyebrow. “That all?”

“Pretty sure she and Charlotte are an item.”

“Go, Charlotte.”

I return his smile. “She seems happy.”

“That’s great. And Fred is dating Lucy?”

I take a sip of the juice. Bottled sunshine, bright and tart in my mouth. “Apparently.”

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