Page 53 of Summertime Friends

“It’s easy to forget that even thousands of miles apart, some parts of life are so similar. That our worlds aren’t all that different,” I respond.

“This is why I enjoy exotic girls. They bring perspective, and I’m always interested in learning something worldly.”

Callum spits out his beer after George’s response.

He…what? My eyes flutter. “Exotic?”

“Aye, like you.” George smirks.

“What’s the minimum qualification, not being from wherever you are located?”

“Bingo!” George cheers.

“Got. . . it.” I turn toward Liam, pointing the neck of my beer his way. He hasn’t said a word. “What about you?”

“I don’t like you because you’re not from here, but it is a hot bonus.” He winks.

“That’s not what I meant.” I swallow. My cheeks pink at the thought that he likes me.

“What about me?” he asks.

“Want to share with the group about yourself?”

“Grew up in London, went to school in London, and I live in London now. Doubtful that anyone could drag me away from living there. I don’t think there is a me without London.”

Callum and George roll their eyes. I already knew this; we talked about it earlier. I wanted an excuse to hear him speak.

“Any siblings?” I ask the table.

“Only child.” Liam points to himself. “Cal has two older brothers and a younger sister. George is a middle child of two sisters.”

“Callum’s sis is a real babe, too. Audrey is finishing up school at Oxford now. Studying psychology.”

“I’m going to pretend you didn’t say that,” Callum says.

“You aren’t going to tell me that my sisters aren’t babes? I’d be offended because my mum is stunning, and we all got our looks from her.”

“I wouldn’t call them babes to your face, man. He has one older sister who lives in Paris now, and the other is about to be at university.”

Hearing them speak for each other about these details of their lives is endearing. It shows how knotted their friendship is, which reminds me a lot of Natalie and me.

Natalie. Wow, this is the first time I’ve thought about her since we arrived. And I haven’t heard from her all day either. I figured Iwouldn’t be able to avoid thinking about her with the consistent texts I would be receiving, but she’s been silent.

I fire off a quick text to her.

“Any sibling for you, States?”

“Nope. Only child.”

“Damn, I’ve always wanted to cross off my bucket list, American sisters,” George remarks. His tone is deadly serious.

“For fuck’s sake George.” Callum slams his bottle on the table, causing it to bubble up toward the top. “What is the matter with you?”

“Nothing.” He shrugs.

“I’m sorry to disappoint. What if I find someone that looks similar to me? Would that work out that kink for you?”

“States, I’d rather just have you.”

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