Page 48 of Bad Summer People
The song then ended with a rousing “We’ll all be back next year!”
Everyone sat back down, ready for the show to kick off. Lauren realized she already needed a refill of her wine. She shimmied out of her row and walked through the back door into the restaurant area, populated by a few childless stragglers who didn’t feel like watching a bunch of kids sing off-key. Through the door, Lauren could see which acts were performing, so she decided to sit there until she heard Arlo’s or Amelie’s name announced. Hell was watching other people’s talentless children. Micah Holt was behind the bar. He was the kind of stylish gay guy she’d always been friends with, and she felt a fondness toward him.
“Another chardonnay, please, Micah,” said Lauren. He brought over the bottle and poured her a large glass. “Shouldn’t you be back at Yale?” she asked.
“Yes, I started already. I’m just here for the long weekend, helping my parents close the house,” he said, running his hand through his impressive hair.
Lauren hoped Arlo grew up to be as polite and thoughtful as Micah. So far, Arlo was taking after Jason, waking up in dark moods, no matter how muchMinecraftLauren allowed. She was looking forward to getting the kids back into a school routine and filling their days with things other than the ocean, tennis, and camp. Salcombe fried their brains. College applications weren’tthatfar off, and there was only so much money could buy.
The Braeburn drama seemed so long ago. She couldn’t believe she’d been so obsessed with a school scandal about a fraudulent headmaster. How innocent she’d been. A woman was dead! And she’d been involved! Sort of. She tried not to think about it. But that was impossible, because in walked Robert, looking sexy in fitted jeans and a light gray sweater. He immediately noticed Lauren at the bar, froze for a second, and then continued toward her. She was caught. She hadn’t spoken to him since that night, and she’d been planning on avoiding him until she left the island for good. No such luck.
She sat up straighter and pushed out her breasts. She was wearing asimple white tank and her favorite Frame jeans, cropped with a slight flare. Robert sat down on the stool next to her, his legs turned toward hers, his knees nearly touching her own.
“So,” he said, locking his blue eyes with hers. “How are you?”
“I’m fine, thanks,” she said, trying to sound breezy. “We’re packing up the house and are taking off tomorrow for good. How are you?”
She motioned for Micah to come over and take Robert’s order. He hesitated, oddly, with a slight frown. Why didn’t Micah like Robert?
“Hey, Robert, would you like a pilsner?” he finally asked.
Robert nodded genially.
Micah brought one over and then disappeared.
“I’m doing well,” said Robert, sipping his beer. “I finish up here next week, and then I’ll be heading to the city. I rented an apartment in Chelsea, on Twenty-first and Seventh. I start my new job next week.”
Lauren was surprised by this news, but she tried not to show it. “Oh, that’s so great for you. What will you be doing?”
“I’m working for Larry Higgins, learning his business and helping out however I can.”
“That sounds perfect,” she said. She pushed her knees closer, so they were in full contact. He smelled so good.
“If you ever need lessons during the winter, let me know,” he said. His hand brushed her arm as he went to grab his beer.
Lauren felt her body warm at his touch.
“I’ll be busy during the week but could find some time during the weekends to hit with you.”
She nodded.
She felt a hand on her back and turned to see Brian Metzner standing behind them. She couldn’t tell for sure, but she thought he might have glanced down at her and Robert’s legs. She quickly shifted away.
“Hi to you both,” said Brian. He’d gained weight over the course of the summer, and he was nearly vibrating with stress. “I see you also wanted to escape the screeching.”
“I’ll go in when Myrna and Amelie are up—I think Arlo and Rhenn are the show’s closer,” said Lauren. She wished he’d leave.
Robert didn’t say anything. Brian didn’t get the hint. Micah handed him a vodka on the rocks.
“I still can’t get over Susan Steinhagen,” said Brian, breaking the silence.
Lauren and Robert looked down at the bar at the same moment.
“I never would have shorted that stock. I thought that woman would live forever. She’d be a hundred, screaming at all of us on the tennis courts,” he said.
Lauren nodded sympathetically. The good news about Brian was that he was so self-centered, he’d never notice if someone was acting off.
“What the hell was she doing out of her house?” said Brian. “She’d know better than to ride her bike in that wild storm—she’s lived here for forty years. I heard the police barely looked into it. Some jokers from Suffolk County. They spoke to Danny Leavitt and the Cahulls, who’d found her, but that’s it.” Brian drained his vodka. “I just hope it doesn’t affect property values,” he continued. “A mysterious death, accidental or not, isn’t a great sell for real estate agents. The town should never have raised the boardwalks so high.”
