Page 38 of The Summer of Us

Paige let out a slow breath and nodded. “Actually, the last time we were here I bought a book.”

“Yeah, I remember, that fantasy one—”

“No, a different one,” Paige corrected. “It was a romance book.” She pointed to the table of Avery Cole’s newest release, and Olivia picked one up, turning it over to read the blurb. Her lips parted with a soft, “Oh.”

“Yeah,” Paige said, scratching her cheek. “Things started to make a lot of sense when I read it. But anyway, I really like the author’s style, and I’ve never really read any other lesbian romances before, so I thought I might find more of her books here.”

Olivia smiled as she flipped through the pages. “It sounds sweet. Maybe I’ll get a copy too,” she decided, snapping the book shut and cradling it against her chest. “Let’s see if we can find some more.”

There was a whole shelf of Avery Cole books, and Paige spent a good thirty minutes reading through the blurbs and trying to decide which one she wanted to try next. “I can’t choose between this one or this one,” she lamented. “They both sound really good.”

“Then get them both,” Olivia said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. “I don’t mind paying for one if that’s putting you off.”

Paige shook her head. “No, you don’t have to pay,” she said, biting her lip as she weighed each book in her hand. “Alright, I’ll get them both.”

Olivia grinned. “And then when you’re done reading them, I can borrow them too,” she said, and Paige’s heart fluttered at the thought of sharing books. Like a real couple.

“Sure.”

By the time they left the bookshop, it had been almost an hour since they’d checked in with Isla, so they headed back to the antique store to see if she was done with whatever she had planned.

Isla was nowhere to be seen when they stepped inside, the air hazy and warm.

“Um, Isla?” Olivia called out, and from somewhere at the back of the shop, they heard a soft thump, and an ‘ow’.

“Sorry, give me a minute,” Isla’s voice drifted out from the shadows. She appeared a moment later, pushing through a black velvet curtain that neither of them had noticed before. “Perfect timing. I just got these finished.”

The two girls walked over to her as she held out her hand, something blue and silver and delicate glinting against her palm.

“I made matching necklaces for you,” she said, her lips dipping into a sly smile, “perfect for a new couple.”

Paige stared at her, her cheeks flushing. “How did you know?” she said, a little shyly.

Isla snorted out a laugh, the chains around her neck jingling. “Oh, please. I know two girls in love when I see them,” she said with a wink. “Take them. Try them on. They’re both made with the bits and pieces you brought me.”

Olivia gestured for Paige to turn around, and she lifted the necklace over Paige’s neck, fastening the clasp at the back. Paige shivered as Olivia’s fingertips ghosted her bare skin.

Paige did the same to Olivia, and they both admired the beautiful wire-wrapped seaglass and shells. “They’re gorgeous,” Paige said, touching the smooth surface of the polished glass.

“I’m glad you like them.”

“You have to let us pay you,” Olivia said, but Isla shook her head.

“You did most of the work anyway, finding everything for me.”

Paige glanced across at Olivia with a smile, and Olivia reached for her hand, threading their fingers together.

“Thank you, Isla. We’ll treasure these.”

The woman cocked her head. “Will I be seeing you two again?”

Olivia nodded. “Definitely. We’ve already decided to come back every summer.”

Isla’s smile widened, reaching her eyes. “Wonderful. Take care then, yeah?”

They said goodbye and left Isla’s shop, still holding hands.

“Everyone around here is so nice. I really don’t want to leave,” Olivia said as they loitered on the street outside.

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