ChapterOne
Michelle
“What doyou mean you can’t go?” Avery asked from beside me. We’d been laying out in our bikinis, trying to get a warm glow after an unusually longwinter.
My dad’s house was one of the few in town with a pool. Well, one that was not above ground and did not get packed away in the winter. It was a touch over the top, and my friends and I took advantage of it as soon as the weatherallowed.
“I mean exactly what I just said. I can’t go to Cancun this summer. My dad is making me work at Between The Pagesinstead.”
Avery snorted. When I shot her a look, she lifted her hands in defense. “I’m sorry, but I can’t imagine you in abookstore.”
“It’s not like I have a choice. It was that or getting cut offaltogether.”
She laughed again, and my eyes narrowed even more. “Aves. Canyoustop?”
“I really am sorry, but I can’t help it. I keep picturing you sitting behind the counter with sexy librarian glasses. Your hair pulled back in a bun. Can I please buy you some button up blouses? Maybe some reading glasses you can wear as a necklace?” She barely got the words out through hergiggling.
“I’m glad you’re amused,” I said, slamming back into my lounge chair and crossing my arms. I refused to look at myfriend.
“Oh, don’t be mad, Michelle. Maybe your dad will let you start work after our trip. It’s atradition.”
Avery was right, summer trips to Mexico were a tradition. One that started several years ago when we were still in high school. Our families thought a joint trip down to the Le Blanc resort in Cancun would be the perfect way to show everyone in town just how much better we were than the restofthem.
It was exclusive, it was expensive, and it was exactly the kind of thing most people in River Valley would only dream about doing. I had to admit there was a particular pleasure posting pictures of us posing in places many of our friends would nevervisit.
Last year, Avery and I had taken our first solo trip to Mexico to celebrate graduating from high school. Our hotel was slightly less chic than what we were used to. We didn’t have the funds to stay in the same caliber place as our parents, but we enjoyed thefreedom.
And the lower drinking age, ofcourse.
That first trip out of country together was life changing. I had needed it more than I realized at the time. The drama of my life had weighed me down in ways I hadn’t known. When we got back to Idaho, Avery and I agreed to make an annual thing until we graduatedcollege.
So muchforthat.
“Remind him of how much fun we used to have when we used to go,” Averysuggested.
“I don’t think reminding him of our family trips to Cancun will work in myfavor.”
“Probably not,” she said, her face scrunched up in concentration. “But I already bookedtheroom.”
“TakeCarter.”
“I don’t know. We’ve only been dating a couple of months. I’m not sure a trip to a place like that is a verygoodidea.”
“Don’ttrusthim?”
“You know that’snotit.”
“Is it because he’s just the bass player in somegarageband?”
“It’s not that either, and you know how much I hate it when you make fun of him.” She sighed dramatically before sitting up. “I didn’t tease you when you datedJulian.”
“Yeah, and we don’t talk aboutJulian.”
“Of course not.” Avery crossed her arms. “When you don’t want to talk about something, it's off limits. Too bad it doesn’t work the other wayaround.”
“Don’t be so dramatic, Aves. I’m trying to help you figure out the reason why you don’t want your boyfriend to go on an amazing vacationwithyou.”
“No, you’re being aspoiledbrat.”
