Page 31 of The Summer House
Eleven
“Ican’t believeI actually bought his sister’s dress,” Callie said as they parked the car.
Taking a large step onto the pavement to avoid sand in her new sandals, she was momentarily distracted as she took in the castle-like structure in front of her—a perfectly manicured lawn, palm trees meticulously placed in the exquisitely landscaped yard, and the house itself: all skylights and balconies. They’d parked behind more luxury cars than Callie could count, at the end of the huge, circular drive made entirely of aggregate. Down the street, she noticed what looked like a news van. A man was getting out, and aiming a camera at the house. Callie looked away, wondering if she’d read about the party in the local paper tomorrow. She focused on Olivia and Wyatt.
“He said his sister would be delighted, remember?”
Olivia opened the back door to let Wyatt out. He was wearing a two-button navy polo shirt and seersucker shorts with a new pair of loafers, his red curls combed to the side. Callie had hidden her grin when he’d first come downstairs. She hadn’t wanted to embarrass him, but he was adorable. She’d never seen him all dressed up like that before. He’d tugged at the collar of his shirt, and he seemed a bit uncomfortable, but, in the end, it was clear he’d endure anything if it meant meeting someone his own age.
“Juliette will think you’re wearing it for her!” Olivia said, pulling the gift from the backseat. They’d settled on a dinosaur excavating kit, complete with sand trays, picks, hammers, and dinosaur bones. Luke had said he’d like it. “Can you believe we’re actually going to meet Juliette Sullivan? She does runway shows on TV!”
“It’s definitely weird,” Callie said as they reached the door. The man with the camera had moved closer and she could hear him snap a photo. She smoothed her dress.
Luke opened the door and greeted them before they’d rung the bell. He was holding a beer in his hand. “Come in.” He leaned down toward Wyatt. “Mitchell’s out back. That’s my nephew’s name. He’s wearing a light blue shirt and white shorts. Go tell him I sent you.” Then, he seemed to notice the man as well, shaking his head as they entered. He shut the door.
Wyatt seemed a little shy as he walked through the crowd of people, across the gigantic open space, the kitchen, den, and dining area all sharing the same flawlessly glossed hardwoods. White columns were the only structures separating the rooms, stretching two stories high to the balcony where the second floor overlooked the large bay window facing the ocean.
“I’ll just walk Wyatt out,” Luke said. “Get yourselves a drink.” He pointed toward the spacious kitchen where a bartender was standing behind a bar that took up one whole wall. “Or you can go outside. There’s more out there.”
“We’ll follow you outside,” Callie suggested, just dying for fresh air and sunshine to calm her nerves. She caught the eye of a group of women dressed like fashion models who were chattering loudly and laughing, their perfectly manicured hands wrapped around glasses of champagne. With a quick assessment of her dress, it seemed, they smiled briefly and went back to their conversation. Callie wondered if they’d noticed it was Juliette’s. She felt self-conscious.
Luke noticed Wyatt struggling to get through the crowd of people. He squatted down and whispered something to Wyatt, who nodded. Then, he scooped up Wyatt and gave him a piggyback ride across the room.
He led them through the two towering double doors that were propped open and tied with at least thirty silver Mylar balloons. Callie stepped onto the most magnificent deck—it was bigger than the whole of the downstairs at The Beachcomber. On either end there was a bar with a working bartender, crowds gathered around as both were tossing liquor bottles into the air and catching them. Between the bars were tables with turquoise umbrellas, hundreds of fresh flowers, chaise lounges, and wicker seating—all done up with matching cushions and throw pillows. Circular stone structures held fire pits that were roaring with flames resembling the orange sun as it began its slow descent behind the house.
Once Callie could force her vision beyond the deck, she was able to take in the yard below. The sand stretched as far as she could see in both directions—not another cottage in sight—the ocean rolling onto the shore. But close to the house, the yard had been landscaped with grass rivaling the best golf courses she could imagine, countless palm trees, outdoor lighting, patios, more umbrellas, and furniture.
Wyatt had found the other partygoers, Luke introducing him to Mitchell. The kids were piled into two bouncy castles that were as grand as the property itself. There was a clown making balloon animals, an ice cream stand, and a cotton candy machine with a man in a red and white striped suit and a tall white chef’s hat at the helm. Happiness flooded her as she saw Wyatt bounce along by the mesh netting. He grabbed the side and doubled over laughing, as another boy jumped toward him and pulled him back into the center.
“Here you are,” Luke said, handing her and Olivia each a drink. Callie had been so taken with the view that she hadn’t realized he’d made it back up to them. “They’re mojitos,” he said, allowing a grin.
“Thank you,” she said.
“Luke!” a woman said from behind as she draped her thin arm around his shoulder and kissed his cheek.
Callie tried not to gawk when she saw her—Juliette. She looked exactly like she had in the photos; she was just as flawless. Her long brown hair was poker straight and parted perfectly down the middle. She had large hoop earrings, her make up understated with just a hint of clear lip-gloss, and her dress was amazing—soft pink chiffon, with a high neck that tied around the back in a bow and cascaded down her bare back. Her nude heels gave her a good four inches of height. Callie guessed she wasn’t planning to walk in the sand in those shoes.
“Luke!” she said again. “Introduce me to your friends!” She smiled, showing her perfect, white teeth.
“Julie, this is Callie and her friend Olivia. Ladies, my sister Juliette.”
“It’s nice to meet you!” She shimmied off her brother and held out a delicate hand. Callie shook it and then Olivia followed suit. She leaned forward toward Callie and whispered, “I like your dress.” Then she gave her a wink. Her face was kind and put Callie at ease.
Callie smiled. “It’s a great design,” she said.
“You look great in it! You’re gorgeous!”
Callie’s skin prickled with embarrassment. She’d never really given much thought to her looks more than whether she had broccoli in her teeth or not.
“Isn’t she beautiful, Luke?”
“Yes,” he said with a contemplative look, and then tipped his beer back, draining it.
“Enjoy the party! Off to celebrate!” She kissed Luke on the cheek again, disappearing into the crowd at the bar.
Olivia waved to Wyatt, who was still jumping in the bouncy castle, his shirttail untucked and his hair a mess. “I’m going to go see him,” she said as he beckoned her down. “He looks so cute! I want pictures!” She’d pulled her phone from her handbag and was already taking them from the deck.
“If I could, I’d like to steal Callie away for a moment anyway,” Luke said seriously. He set his empty beer bottle on a table and a member of staff swooped in and scooped it up immediately.
