“I need the money. I’m dipping into my savings while I’m here since it was an unexpected stay.”
I rest my cheek on the top of her head. The warmth of her head pressing into my skin makes me feel like I can stay here all day.
“Ellie, if you need money, I can take care of that. I just want you to feel relaxed and have a good summer. I’ll take care of everything for you while you’re here for the next two months.”
I feel her body move, and I pick my head up to look at her. She’s giving me a look I know all too well. Her mouth tightens up, and her eyes are questioning me.
“I’m not letting you spend a dime on me, Rowan. I’m a grown adult and I can handle myself. I’m sure catering will be fine. Plus, it’s only chocolate peanut butter squares. Nothing crazy. It’s the simplest thing she can ask me to do for her.”
“Then let me at least help with that.” My arms are still around her, and hers are still wrapped around me.
“I’m not letting you burn the chocolate,” she says playfully.
“Fine, I can handle the peanut butter.”
She raises her brows and looks away from me.
“It’s peanut butter? How can I mess that up?” I ask.
“Fine, fine. If you want to help, who am I to say no to that?” She gives me a lopsided grin.
I let out a sigh before saying, “What am I going to do with you?” And give her a kiss on her head.
“Oh, shut up. You love me.”
If only she knew just how much.
twenty-two
ELLIE
After spendingthe day on the water, we decide to go back to shore as the sun sets and get ready for the bonfire. The girls and I went back to my place to quickly change into bonfire attire, get out of our wet bathing suits, and meet the guys back at the beach.
August points to the orange and red flames that rise to the sky and break into little pieces, flying away. “Look at that. Look at the fire. I did that.”
“Congratulations, you know how to burn wood,” Riley says slowly.
“One day, Riley. One day.” August shakes his finger toward Riley.
“Yes, August, one day you will learn that anyone can make a fire.” Riley smiles sweetly at him.
August continues what he’s doing, muttering something under his breath, and I almost gag when I hear the wordsslapandass.One can only hope he isn’t talking about slapping my best friend’s ass.
Riley and August always had an interesting…friendship. Although, I wouldn’t say it’s a friendship, more of a tolerance of each other. They’ve known each other our entire lives.
They used to get along just fine, and then, one day in high school, it suddenly changed. I tried asking each of them what happened, but neither wanted to talk about it. I decided it was better that I just leave it alone.
“I brought stuff to make s’mores if anyone wants some.” Addie lifts a bag filled with marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate.
“Yes, please.” Hailey takes the bag from her.
All the chairs were set up around the fire, spread out but still close enough to have a conversation without yelling.
I shuffle my feet in the sand when I walk over to where Rowan is sitting, looking at his phone, the colors of the sunset cascading over him. His long legs are spread out in front of him, showing off the tattoos on his knees. There’s a beautiful moth with intricate details on top of his right knee and a wreath curving upward under his left knee.
How he was able to handle that pain, I have no idea. I only have one tattoo, and that’s my whisk with a dollop of whipped cream on my forearm.
“Can I join you?” With my hands tucked into my hoodie, I gesture to the empty beach chair next to him.
