Summer gently cups my elbow as we arrive and takes Bo from my arms. “I’m going to catch up with Lexi and Harlow, plus they are near the caramel-apple-making station, and that’s kind of my priority today.” It makes me happy that she’s already loving her day.
I mosey my way to Stone and Holden who are standing on the patio near the bench swing and a bit away from everyone,looking out at the lake, both with drinks in their hands. They greet me as I join them.
“Shouldn’t we be more social?”
Holden partly turns his shoulder with a feigned attempt to check. “My kids are chill, so no, I’m not going to interrupt my moment of solitude,” he states dryly before taking a sip of his beer. His pre-teen and teenager can get a little rambunctious at times.
Stone takes a long sip from his beer then makes a noise, informing me that it’s a good IPA. “The women are gossiping, and there’s a baby present. We’re all good.”
I chuckle at their answers. “Alright.”
Holden tips his nose in the direction of Summer holding Bo. “Cute costume.” While he means it, I sense the undertone.
“Something you care to share?”
Stone and Holden exchange awkward glances, and it seems Stone is the one to take the plunge. “He is cute, really. It’s just… the arrangement between you and Summer. We’re all trying to get used to you stepping into Zac’s shoes… and…” He sounds uncomfortable as he scratches his cheek, and his eyes plead with Holden for a save.
“Fuck it.” Holden hangs his beer bottle low with his fingers. “Is there something more going on? There. We said it.”
My body constricts, and suddenly I’m having déjà vu as this keeps happening lately, and every time I grasp where Summer is coming from. “What’s it to anyone if there is?”
Again, they seem to look to one another for encouragement. “It’s not our business as long as Summer ends up in a better place. You kind of missed the immediate aftermath of your brother passing and watching Summer try to cope before jumping into acting as though nothing happened.” Thatreminder is not appreciated because it twists me. “Don’t get us wrong. It’s great seeing her in better spirits. It’s just sometimes everything happens so fast that you don’t realize until after.”
My eyes bug out and my lips pop out. “Not your business but still offering your thoughts. Thanks.” I’m not exactly impressed.
“Don’t lose it. That’s our view, and we can move on. We care for Summer, that’s all.”
“Way to go on making this a festive staff celebration,” I say sarcastically.
Stone slants his head to the side for a second. “To be fair, the party favors are kind of above par.”
A contrite smile grows on my mouth. “Aren’t you two adorable.”
They smirk to themselves. “We are. Now, we are happy that you survived Keats and also Summer doesn’t have a fake smile on her face for once. Which reminds me, did she tell you about our guest yesterday?” Holden asks.
“No.” It’s nice that we can switch gears.
“This guy who is worth millions called the front desk at like one in the morning. You would think he wanted a whiskey or something. Do you know what he wanted?”
Stone takes a guess. “A hooker that doesn’t exist in Lake Spark as we are a wholesome town?”
“Nah, he wanted a cheese sandwich cut into animal shapes and a glass of milk.”
Stone and I sputter out a laugh. “What?”
“Yeah, and he even wanted a straw in the milk.”
“The night receptionist told us about it the next morning in the staff meeting,” Holden explains.
“I think when my parents owned this place it was mostly marriage breakups for the world to see. Oh, they hadone guy who snuck in a fifty-pound lizard, and it got loose.”
“Your parents also had that ridiculous moose on the wall,” Stone reminds me. Luckily, last year they ditched the dead animal for a different interior design.
Fondly, I smile. “Old school.”
“No offence, our new direction of the Dizzy Duck just ups the standard.” Holden is proud of this place, as he should be since he puts in the most hours.
“By the way, speaking of guests, did you run into the principal from your kids’ school again?” Stone pries.
