Page 51 of Why Not Us?

But I don’t mind. Especially not when she’s looking at me like we share a secret. Like she knows I don’t talk much, but I’ve been talking toher, more than I’ve ever talked to anyone before.

Taylor and Zach return with the drinks, handing them out.

“Strawberry, right, Adalie?” Taylor asks.

She takes it gratefully and we all find seats around the outdoor tables, chatting. Adalie sits next to me, our thighs touching. She chimes into the conversation a few times, but I say nothing, just enjoying her presence. When we’re done and get back on our bikes, Adalie climbs on behind me without any help, relaxed, her hands on my waist. I love how confident she is already. She’s an excellent passenger, shifting her weight with me when I turn, not fidgeting while we ride.

When we return to my house, I ask her about it and her face flushes. “I did a bit of research this week. On how to be a good passenger.” She shrugs, following me into the backyard. “And I trust you. You make it easy.”

I park my bike and turn to her, wanting to drag her into my arms, steal that kiss I’ve been craving all day. But then Taylor comes into the backyard with his bike and Adalie retreats inside to change.

Zach comes into the yard next. Mace and Doug have gone home to get Raine and Patricia, and will be back soon. When Adalie returns, she’s wearing a breezy cream-coloured dress with a bunch of pale flowers in blue, yellow, red, and purple. She grins at us.

“I put my bathing suit on underneath so I can go in the hot tub this time. But I’m not going in alone.”

Taylor laughs as he turns on some music. “I’ll go in with you later, Adalie,” he says.

I scowl, wanting to tell him if anyone’s going into the hot tub with Adalie, it’ll be me. Which is ridiculous, since no one would stop me. It’s technically mine, after all.

We get out a few snacks, I get everyone beers. Adalie accepts a sour I finished at my home brew a few days ago. It’s only after she has a cup in her hand that I realize I brewed it for her. I don’t care about her not liking stouts, especially now that we’ve talked about what kinds of beer she does like. And with summer starting, I’ve already come up with a few new lighter brews I hope Adalie will like.

Mace and Doug return, and Adalie’s friends arrive. When she gets a text, she doesn’t interrupt the conversation and goes out to the front yard, coming back, laughing at something one of her friends has said.

I recognize the woman next to Adalie as Lis, the chef at Blue Vista. A step behind is Spencer and Vic. Spencer is carrying a cooler bag which Lis takes from him and hands to me.

“Adalie told me you said not to bring anything, but…” She rolls her eyes. “Please. You can’t ask a chef not to cook.”

I take the bag.

“There’s a pasta salad, a potato salad, and some antipasto with tortilla chips.”

I raise an eyebrow. “How much food do you think we need?”

She shrugs. “If you don’t have leftovers, someone might have left the party hungry.”

Taylor laughs and takes the bag from me. “Thanks, Lis. Nate. Get these people a drink.”

I do as I’m told while Taylor introduces everyone. When I return, Adalie has disappeared again. She comes into the backyard, her arm linked with a pretty brunette I’ve met a couple times, and Derek walking behind, carrying another bag.

Adalie smiles at me. “I told them you said not to bring anything. No one listens. You remember Ava? From the night you guys signed the contract.”

I nod and shake her hand and then Derek’s.

“Nate was also the first person we told we were engaged,” Derek says.

I remember the day I’d met Derek. I hadn’t realized no one else knew they were engaged when he told me.

After introductions are complete and everyone has a drink, Derek and Spencer draw me into a conversation about beer. As we chat, I can’t seem to take my eyes off Adalie. She’s bright and happy, laughing easily when people talk to her. Every once in a while, she glances at me and catches me staring.

Vic comes over and the conversation turns to summer plans.

Adalie gets a little louder, a little gigglier, a little more pink. She and Lis start dancing to the music, and Patricia joins in. I’m enthralled by the way she moves, even though I can tell she’s tipsy.

“She really is a lightweight,” I say, mostly to myself.

Her friends glance over at the dancing party.

“She really is,” Spencer says. “Makes for a cheap date, though.”

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