We all hold our glasses up and clink them.
I sit back down on the couch and look over at my friend group. I’m so happy to be in Coconut Beach with them. I haven’t known them all as long as I’ve known Juniper and Luke, but they all mean something to me. It’s friendships like this that make small towns worth it.
“Do you think we’ll grow up to be the busy Bees?” Juniper asks, laughing slightly.
“Never. We don’t gossip,” Josie says. “As much.”
“Just all the time,” Wendy adds, and we all start laughing.
My phone rings and I stare at the screen. “It’s Lukey,” I say, waving it. “Should I answer or let it go to voicemail?”
“Answer,” Summer says, giggling. “And does he like it when you call him Lukey?”
“I think he absolutely hates it.” I start giggling. “But it is what it is.”
I answer the phone. “Hey there, darling lover boy. What are you up to?”
“Are you drunk already, Mia?” His voice is dry, and I just start laughing.
“No, I’ve only had one glass. I’m here with the girls, and we’re getting ready to go to Cocktails & Chaos.”
“Oh.” His voice changes slightly. “So, you’re going through with that plan then?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t gotten there yet. We’ll see.”
“I just don’t think it’s a good idea, Mia, especially if?—”
“My gosh, Luke. Let me have some fun. I mean, you and Beatrice had fun recently, didn’t you?”
There’s silence on the phone.
My friends look at me with questioning eyes, and I whisper, “I’ll tell you after I get off the phone.”
“What did you just say, Mia?”
“Nothing. Hold on. Let me FaceTime you.”
I press FaceTime on the screen, and wait for him to pick up. He answers after a couple of seconds, and I can see that he’s still in the office.
“Hey.” He glances at me, his eyes narrowing as he takes in my outfit. “Are you wearing a belly top?”
“It’s called a crop top.”
“But it’s showing your belly.”
“Yes, Dad. It’s showing my belly. I live in a beach town, where most of us show our bellies.”
I move the phone around so he can see how the other girls are dressed.
“Hey, everyone. Say hey to Luke.”
“Hi, Luke,” they all chorus.
“Hey, girls,” he says. “Have fun tonight.”
“We will,” Juniper says. “Can’t wait to see you.”
“Yeah, you too, Juniper. So, I kind of have something to tell you.”
