Page 52 of Summer, in Between
‘I thought it’d look like coffee, like tiramisu,’ says Paul.
‘Change of plans.’I take my spoon and carve through the ice-cream, letting the liquor marble.There’s the sweet tang of citrus on my tongue, the headiness of the alcohol.It’s summer in a shot glass.
Paul dips his own spoon into his serve and his face lights up.‘Man, this is the bomb.How have I never had this?’
‘We had this every night on our honeymoon.’Thankfully, and totally out of character, Mum leaves it there.I don’t think I could stomach a honeymoon story.
We sit on the balcony, music in the background, our mouth full of the heaven that is the combination of lemon and vanilla.The sun sets into the ocean and it’s all feeling a little too Hollywood in its perfection.When Paul rests his hand above my knee, it’s definitely out of the friend zone.
‘What time are you kids heading out?’Mum says.
‘What?’
‘Beach party?’says Paul.‘We talked about it this morning?’
‘Oh, that’s right.’Between the night sky, the heat of my sunburn, the alcohol coursing a little too fluidly through my veins, and let’s face it, the hot guy making the invitation, I feel like going to a party.Or at least, being anywhere Paul is.
‘I need you to come,’ Paul says.‘I need to prove to your parents that I can take you to a party and bring you home again.So, no sneaking off this time.Deal?’
I look at my parents.Mum nods and there is pride in her eyes.
‘Go have fun,’ says Dad, ‘but put on something decent first.’
‘What do you mean?What do you call this?’I gesture to my dress.
‘That’s a headband.’
‘Oh, Mick, don’t be ridiculous.Let her wear whatever she likes,’ says Mum.‘She looks fine.’
‘She looks beautiful,’ says Paul and he strokes his thumb over my knee.
‘You ready to go?’My stomach flutters.
He nods and rises from the table.He goes to clear the limoncello glasses, but Mum tells him to leave them.He kisses Mum on the cheek and shakes Dad’s hand.
‘Thanks for dinner,’ he says.‘What time do you want her home?’
‘Midnight,’ says Dad.
‘One thirty,’ says Mum.
‘Mum’s the boss.’I kiss them both on the cheek.
