Page 54 of Summer People
“You did earlier,” she points out.
“That was different. Libby needed a lesson.”
That response is met with matching eye rolls.
Instead of replying, Libby just heads inside calling “I’ll get the keys” over her shoulder.
“I said no,” I bark through the screen door.
“I’ll move the blanket and stuff from the truck.” Sutton hops off the porch and darts for her dad’s truck.
“But I said no,” I call again.
Ten minutes later, I pull up to the stretch of grass the town calls a park and drop the girls off.
“You go park Putt-Putt. We’ll find the perfect spot.” Sutton hops off the back seat. With a sweet smile, Libby grabs the blanket and cooler I packed.
“Fine.” Feeling ridiculous in the pink ride all alone, I ease down toward the dock. I’ve just climbed off the cart when my best friend steps up next to me.
“Elephant in the room,” he chirps.
I scowl and sidestep the asshole.
He shuffles to one side, cutting me off. “I like the pink sparkles. It might clash with the whole grrr”—he gives me an exaggerated scowl—“you got going on, but it fits the rest of the family’s vibe.”
“Libby’s not family,” I grit out as I lean to one side, searching for the girls. When I find them smiling and laughing andspreading the blanket out next to Maggie and Eddy, I turn back to Wilder.
He’s wearing an obnoxious smirk. “Yet here you are at another town event. Two weeks in a row. Must be some kind of record for you.”
“I saved you a spot on my blanket, baby.” The blonde from the bar a few weeks ago calls out. She blows Wilder a kiss and points a long nail at a red and white plaid blanket a few yards away.
He winces.
“Elephant in the room.” I love it when it’s my turn. “Your girl just keeps on staying.”
I can’t help but fuck with him. The woman came for a bachelorette weekend, and after she met Wilder, she extended her stay. She’s been here for two weeks now. And everyone on the island knows it’s because she has her heart set on my best friend.
“She’s not my girl.” The grumble is so unlike Wilder.
Movement behind him catches my eye, and irritation works its way up my spine. There’s a group of guys heading toward Libby, Maggie, and Eddy. And fuck if that isn’t my cue to leave.
“You can’t say that about Libby, though,” Wilder calls as I stride toward my girls.
And, oddly enough, this time I don’t want to deny it.
CHAPTER TWENTY
libby
“Oh my first town meeting.I’m so excited.” I settle in my seat beside Maggie, my knees bouncing.
The stage curtains are shut to hide the set we’ve been working on. Like it matters. Half the people in this room have helped with it. By the night of the show, it won’t be a surprise. Though I guess that’s just how it’s done on Monhegan. I’m beginning to realize that’s the answer to a lot of things about this island. And if you question why, they look at you with expressions that screamwhy not?
Maybe there’s something to that sentiment.Why not?
Just because it’s done differently elsewhere doesn’t mean it’s wrong here. And I’m learning more and more every day just how muchdifferentworks for me. This summer has been so much better than I could have even hoped for, and the people are more than half the reason.
Even when they’re growly, like Fisher is 90 percent of the time. His gruff attitude just makes me giggle now.
