Page 39 of An Island Summer
Meghan turned her head to address Tess, unsure if her friend’s eyes were open or closed behind her pink sunglasses. “Working their fingers to the bone.”
Tess rolled over and grabbed her margarita, sipping the tangy nectar from the wide straw that matched the insulated thermos they’d put their beverages in to keep them cold in the heat. “I’ll bet not one of them is doing what we’re doing.”
“Definitely not, in the city,” Meghan said with a laugh.
Tess perked up. “You did the right thing coming here.”
“You think so?”
“I know so.”
Meghan sat up and swung her legs around to face Tess, digging her feet into the warm sand. “You know, when my parents died and Pappy took me in, I didn’t want him to think I was mooching off him. I would clean the house and he never once had to wash any dishes.”
Tess leaned over and got her drink. “How would he think that? You were fifteen, with no parents.”
“I just wanted him to know that I appreciated the work it took to raise me.” She looked out at the ocean, the spray of it splashing haphazardly as the waves rolled in. “I feel the same way now. I want him to know that I can contribute somehow. I’m just not sure how to do that.”
“You’re one of the best people I know,” Tess told her, pushing her sunglasses up onto the top of her head. “And if anyone will figure it out, it’s you. Give yourself some time and just enjoy where you are right now. This moment is a gift from your pappy because had he not left you the house, you wouldn’t have it.”
“It’s my moment of calm,” Meghan said, Pappy’s words coming back to her.Find your calm.
“It fits you like a glove,” Tess said, her hands on the hips of her little black dress, her eyes sparkling with excitement from her bronzed face as she took in Meghan’s green vintage strapless gown. “You’re putting mine to shame, and this is the dress that got me a date with Alex Tisdale.”
Meghan laughed, remembering Tess’s one date with the heart-throb D-list off-Broadway actor who played in local commercials around New York.
“I’m still waiting on that second call…”
Meghan fastened her grandmother’s emerald earrings and took a look at herself in the floor-length mirror on the back of Pappy’s door. With her hair swept up and make-up on, in that dress, she hardly recognized herself.
“You look amazing,” Tess said. “Like you’ve just stepped out of another era.”
“Do you think it’s too much?” she asked, smoothing the A-line skirt as she assessed her reflection. The sound of Pappy’s voice filled her ears:You look beautiful.
“Not at all. It’s perfect.”
Even if it had been too much, it was all she had. “The shoes are a little big, but I can make them work.” Charlie sniffed them as if he understood and wanted to be included in the conversation.
Tess smiled. “I’ll bet your grandmother would be so proud.” She took Meghan’s hands and twirled her around before letting go with a contented sigh. “We’re going to dance the night away tonight.”
Toby floated into Meghan’s mind. She definitely wouldn’t be dancing with her boss in front of everyone she worked with if he showed up, especially after Tabitha had confided in her about Toby’s plans. “Why did I agree to go to this again?” she asked.
“Because this party will have all the food we could ever want, and an open bar…” Tess grabbed Meghan by the elbow and the two of them headed for the door.
Meghan and Tess walked under the enormous balloon arch in various shades of blue, up the wide steps of the front porch and through the front doors of Mariner’s Inn. The lobby was decked out in twinkling white lights, strung in rows along the walls and meandering up the branches of the potted trees, with buckets of champagne and filled glasses bubbling on all the tables. Live beach music sailed toward them from the dining room.
“This is going to be a blast,” Tess said, grabbing a glass of champagne before linking her arm with Meghan’s as she floated toward the dining room in her black ballet flats.
Tess and Meghan walked past the tables on their way to the bar. Their customary white tablecloths had been replaced by glittery aquamarine linens with enormous explosions of white roses in the centers. “Want a drink?” Tess asked her, holding up her half-finished flute of champagne.
“Hi!” Tabitha sashayed over, barely recognizable without her usual ponytail. “We’re all out on the porch if you two want to join us,” she said above the music, as she jutted a thumb over her shoulder toward the open doors that were also encased in balloons and white lights.
“Meghan’s just getting a drink first,” Tess said, grabbing the menu from the bar and sliding it over.
Meghan ordered a rum and Coke to appease her friend and the two of them followed Tabitha outside. Three of the kitchen hands were there, plus Meredith, the hostess, and a collection of waitstaff.
“Everything is so beautiful,” Meghan said, peering up at the canopy of twinkle lights that had been erected just for the party.
“Mr. Meyers spared no expense,” Meredith said. “By the way, you look gorgeous tonight.” She gave Meghan a big smile.
