“Well, you don’t want to be making out with some strange guy when you told him that you and Luke are in love,” she says quickly as she slips on some heels.
“I guess I kind of forgot that he goes out sometimes. He’s such a bore.”
“He’s not a bore,” Juniper says.
“Why are you sticking up for my brother so much?”
“I’m not. I’m just saying that he’s not an absolutely awful guy.”
“Girl, if you saw him the other day when I was on the phone with Luke at my grandparents’ house, you would know he is as awful as I say he is—and maybe even more.” I apply red lipstick to my lips, stand up, and twirl around.
I’m wearing a short white skirt that emphasizes my golden tan and a silver top that clings to my breasts and exposes my taut belly.
“How do I look?” I say, spinning around, my long blonde hair bouncing against my back.
“Stunning,” Juniper says, her brown eyes warm. “You’re gorgeous.You know that, right? If you really wanted a date—a real date—for the wedding, you could have one.”
“I guess. It’s not like any guys are really banging down my door. It’s hard, living here.”
We don’t have many new guys who move to the island. The tourists come and go, and while there are locals, it’s such a small community that it’s hard to date.
“I get it, girl.” She lets out a long, deep sigh.
“Hey, don’t be down on yourself.” I reach over and rub her shoulders. “You’ll meet a good guy. Maybe there’ll even be someone at the wedding.”
“Maybe.”
“Girls, what if we vow to have the best summer of our lives?” I jump up and hold my glass in the air.
“I’m in,” Josie says.
“Yeah. I mean, I wouldn’t mind some good sex and some hot kisses,” Wendy says, grinning wickedly as she stands up and spins around.
“I guess I wouldn’t mind some fun,” Silvie says with a wry smile.
We all turn to look at Summer, who is looking down and blushing.
“Hey, you already know that I fucked up and sent my stepbrother those pictures,” she says quickly, waving her hand in front of her face. She’s now bright red. “I think, right now, I just need to concentrate on the reno.”
“Or wickedly send him even sexier pictures?” I tease.
“Really, Mia?”
“What? I’m just saying, this is going to be our summer. We’re all going to have the best sex of our lives.”
“We’re all going to be wooed,” Josie says.
“We’re all going to fall in love,” Juniper says.
“I just hope to save the bed-and-breakfast,” Wendy adds.
“I just hope to get over my broken heart and succeed in business,” Silvie says.
“And I just hope to get the beach house looking as beautiful and wonderful as I’ve always envisioned it could be,” Summer says softly.
We all grow slightly quiet then because Summer recently lost her parents, and we all know that she’s still getting over that deep trauma. I know that grief is something that never fully leaves you, but I want Summer to know she will always have us supporting her.
“Here’s to a summer of fun. And to you fooling the world into thinking Luke Haverbrook is your gorgeous boyfriend.” Juniper grins. “Cheers, girls.”
