Page 48 of Summer People
“Huh?”
“I don’t know.” She purses her lips. “You sound like you sucked air from a balloon or something.”
I scoff, heat creeping up my neck. “No, I don’t.”
“Not anymore. It was just that weird voice before. Don’t do that again.” She skips over, takes the box from my hands, and wanders to the table. “Come on, Libby. Which one do you want?”
The woman I can’t stop thinking about pushes to her feet and pads over to Sutton. “I don’t know if I want Flirty Donuts.”
The fuck?
“They’re Ruckus Donuts. Everyone loves them.”
“I think she means because Flora is always being…” With her hands tucked under her chin, my niece bats her eyes and makes a kissy face.
“According to Sutton, the donut lady is always flirting with you.” Libby averts her gaze, her lips pulling down, almost like she’s pouting.Like she’s jealous.
My chest swells at the idea, and the corners of my lips turn up. I don’t get to enjoy the feeling long, though, before Sutton whirls on me.
“Don’t even try to deny it.” She wags a finger my way, then cups her mouth and stage whispers, “And he doesn’t even stop it.”
Lips pursed, Libby crosses her arms over her chest.
What the hell? I came in trying to be nice, and now I’m in the hot seat. I don’t even like the freaking woman. She makes my skin crawl. I can’t say that now, though, because Sutton, a.k.a. the worst secret keeper in the world, will tell the entire town.
“That’s not true. I’ve tried to stop her. But there are only four of us within flirting age for her on this island. I’m sure she flirts with Wilder too.”
Sutton rolls her eyes, making her look sixteen rather than eight. “Everyone flirts with Wilder. He’s everyone’s favorite.”
Libby chuckles, and when I scowl at her, she puts both hands up. “I don’t flirt with your bestie.”
That wasn’t what I meant. Whatever.
“Eat the damn donuts.” I point at the table and huff. I try to be nice, and they gang up on me.
Libby drops into the seat next to Sutton and picks up the Berkshire maple pastry.
“That’s your friend’s donut,” Sutton says as she picks up a double chocolate for herself. “Joey Berkshire. They send the donut people their maple syrup. Everyone loves those.”
“Everything the Berkshires make is amazing.” Libby takes a bite, and the moan that leaves her lips sends blood rushing to my dick.
Fuck, I’d love to hear that sound when I have her spread out in front of me.
“This is heaven.” She licks her lip. Jesus, I swear I can feel it. Like she’s running her tongue along my skin.
I shake myself out of my haze. “I thought you weren’t going to eat my donuts.”
“Is that a smile, Fisher?” Libby taunts, her eyes sparkling. “Should I take another bite and see if you can do it again?” She brings the doughy goodness to her mouth again. “Do you like watching me eat?”
With a grumble, I spin and head for the door. The girls giggle behind me, but as I step outside, I can’t help but smile.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
libby
I imagine being hereon Monhegan Island is the closest I’ll ever get to being able to tap my red shoes and wish I wasn’t famous. The number of times through the years I’ve wished for privacy is immeasurable—whether I wanted to go shopping on my own on a whim or out on a date without having to shield myself from camera flashes. Celebrity status, unfortunately, means giving up just about all semblance of privacy. But here, even going to the grocery store on my own—despite Doris’s now indifferent attitude—is like a breath of fresh air.
It’s been a month since I arrived, and finally, I’m feeling settled and enjoying the freedom. I’d be lying if I denied that part of my happiness can be attributed to the smiles I keep catching on Fisher’s lips.
