Page 21 of Summer People
I watch him saunter away from his buddy, but instead of heading toward the women Wilder’s checking out, this tool heads straight for Libby’s table.
My grip on my beer can tightens, the aluminum crinkling. Of course he’s going to her. Who in their right mind would go for anyone else if they had a shot at Libby? Not Elizabeth Sweet, America’s Sweetheart, but Libby, the most gorgeous woman in any room.
I shake my head. What the fuck am I saying? She’s making me crazy.
The makeup-free, ponytail-sporting woman looks nothing like Elizabeth Sweet, and everyone on the island—although more than happy to gossip amongst themselves about her—has been utterly silent to outsiders about Elizabeth Sweet’s presence here.
So this guy isn’t heading over to Maggie, Libby, and Eddy for an autograph.
“Where are you going?” Wilder asks before I even realize I’m standing.
“That guy’s going to bother Eddy. You know how much she hates the summer men.”
Wilder chuckles. “My sister can handle herself.”
That is true. Growing up, Kennedy Knowles was the sweetest girl on the island. But after she wound up pregnant—by a mystery man she still won’t name—Eddy toughened up.
“Unless the disappearing dad waltzes in, she doesn’t need anyone’s help.” He narrows his eyes at me, then, bringing his mug to his lips, zeroes in on Libby. “Elephant in the room,” he challenges as he sets the mug on the table with a fucking smirk that pisses me off. “You like her and you want to be the only one hitting on her.”
I grit my teeth and consider sitting down again. Fuck him and the smarmy look he’s giving me.
Wilder just laughs. “Better hurry up.”
CHAPTER NINE
libby
“We can’t forgetto tell her about Blue,” Maggie says. For the past hour, she and her friend Kennedy—a pretty blonde who’s been nothing but kind to me, just like Maggie—have been dishing secrets about everyone on the island.
I can’t help the smile that lights up my face. This sensation is so foreign to me. For years I attended the swankiest bars and the nicest parties, but I never had anyone to share a secret with. No girlfriends, no sisters. Just directors, castmates, and acting coaches. There were rarely even other kids on the set of the show.
It’s clear from this small interaction alone that Maggie and Kennedy have a sisterly relationship. With less than seventy people on the island, I suppose there wasn’t much choice. But it’s clear their friendship is based on more than convenience.
“Oh god,” Kennedy groans. “Please don’t.”
Maggie squeezes my arm, the warmth of her hand soaking into me. I relish the feel because I’m freezing again. This is supposed to be a summer island, yet I’ve been cold every single second I’ve been here.
When the ferries arrived yesterday, so did people. Tourists came in droves—at least by this island’s standard. There are at least twenty people here at the brewery I’ve never seen before.
I press closer to the outdoor heater beside me and try to focus on what the girls are saying. Apparently Blue is Kennedy’s grandfather, and…
“He paints naked people?” I ask, hoping I heard them wrong.
Kennedy covers her face. “No.” She groans. “He sits out on his lawn in the nude and paints.”
I snort. “Is he at least nice to look at?”
“Ew!” Kennedy yells.
Maggie cackles so uproariously she almost falls off her stool. “Not a day in his life,” she says through her wheezing.
Kennedy shakes her head, though her eyes are still all smiley. “Being the only nurse on the island, I’ve seen just about everyone here naked, but I do draw the line at my grandfather.”
“Even Fisher?” Dammit. The words slip out before I have time to think them through.
I shouldn’t be thinking about him, let alone saying his name. But it’s impossible to keep him out of my head with the way he’s been glaring at me all night, as if my mere existence offends him.
The two women share another look.
