“It’s Saturday. Of course we’re doing the Lodge tonight.”
“But what if we run into those guys who came by the bakery today?”
“Trust me, those two are going to take one look at the Lodge, and then turn right back around.”
Jane seemed to think about it. “I don’t know. I should really get started on my lesson plan for next week, and—”
“Stay holed up in your room again, bingingDoctor Who?”
Jane pursed her lips. “I’m not watchingDoctor Who.”
“No?”
“No. The new season ofRings of Poweris streaming.”
Lizzy rolled her eyes. “Come on. I know it’s going to be crowded and awful, but it’s better than hanging out here all night.”
“Maybe Ilikehanging out here all night,” Jane replied in that voice she usually reserved for her students.
Lizzy didn’t argue, mostly because she knew it was the truth. Their childhood had been defined by a mutual need to escape from their small town and their even smaller house. But while Lizzy had tried to get out into the world and never look back, Jane was an introvert and preferred to disappear into her favorite books.
After a moment, Jane sighed. “Okay, I’ll go. But only because I’m craving Tater Tots.”
“That might actually be the only legitimate reason to go to the Lodge.”
Jane laughed, and as it faded, she rested her head on her sister’s shoulder. A rare moment of peace extended then, quiet and calm, and they both knew enough to soak it in, because only a minute later, it was shattered by Lydia’s voice bellowing up from downstairs.
“LIZZY! ARE YOU DRIVING US OR WHAT?”
CHAPTER 6
It was a truth universally acknowledged that Donato Lodge was awful. But that was part of the appeal. From the lingering smell of room temperature beer to the stained burgundy carpet only partially hidden by the dim overhead lights, it was the unassuming second home for much of East Hampton.
The Bennet sisters arrived through the narrow front hallway just before nine. Framed photos of all the up-and-coming bands that the bar’s owner, Hank Donato, was sure would make it one day lined the walls. Alongside them were posters advertising Hank’s magnum opus, HamptonFest: a three-day-long festival that would surely transform East Hampton into a musical mecca. Unfortunately, after years of promises, the town was still waiting for the event to actually happen.
Lydia entered the bar first, her chin high as if she were holding court. Her dark hair was wavy and wild at her shoulders, and her tanned skin was covered with a gold shimmer powder that made her hazel eyes sparkle. Despite their mother’s demands, she wasn’t wearing a pair of Lux Leggings. Neither was Kitty, who had only added a navy sweater tied around her shoulders, while Mary was still wearing her T-shirt and jeans, although now she donned anOur Planet, Our Rulesbutton and a huge pile ofSave Gretna Island!pamphlets under her arm. Lizzy had only swapped out her overalls for a pair of jeans.
Jane wasn’t so lucky. While the rest of the sisters were only too happy to ignore their mother’s pleas for self-promotion, Jane could never bring herself to do it, so she entered the bar wearing a pair of yellow-and-pink leopard-print leggings with gemstones embroidered on the seams.
As soon as they walked in, Mary disappeared into the crowd to hand out her pamphlets, while Lydia and Kitty headed straight to the end of the long bar near the front entrance to see everyone who came or left that evening. Jane and Lizzy followed them, but only because there were a few empty stools nearby and Hank’s daughter and bartender, Piper, was already there pouring them drinks.
“What’d we miss?” Lizzy asked as she landed on one of the stools. Jane sat down beside her.
“Nothing so far,” Piper replied, sliding a beer in front of Lizzy and a glass of white wine in front of Jane. Piper’s curly chestnut hair was in a loose bun, and she donned the same dimpled smile she’d had since middle school. And while Lizzy knew her friend was happy to see them, she was also aware that Piper’s current grin probably had more to do with the fact that she had just returned from visiting her girlfriend in Boston than the bar’s clientele. “Here Comes the Sandman just finished their soundcheck.”
“Here Comes the Sandman?” Jane asked, looking almost concerned.
“They’re a Beatles/Metallica cover band.” Piper nodded to the nearby stage. “My dad’s expecting it to get crowded tonight, so he wants them to start soon.”
“The cidiots are coming,” Lizzy whispered solemnly as she took a sip of her beer.
Piper laughed, as much at the sentiment as at the old nickname for the “city idiots” from New York who invaded their town every summer. It looked like Jane wanted to laugh as well, but she was fighting it as she shook her head.
“Those cidiots keep the lights on, you know,” Jane said.
“Which also happens to be the reason I can’t stay late tonight,” Lizzy replied. “I have to be at the bakery extra early tomorrow.”
Piper threw her friend a skeptical look. She was all too familiar with Lizzy’s work schedule, mostly because it meant that their time off was always diametrically opposed. “Seriously?”
