Page 36 of The Summer Club

“Worth it. Now talk. Someone was all dressed up and happy last night. And that’s not the sister who arrived on the doorstep a couple days ago.”

Andi did not want to discuss this right now. She focused instead on Martin jogging up the beach, dripping wet. “How’s the water?”

“You should all get in. It’s so refreshing. Perfect temperature today.” Martin did this every year. Swam while they sat. Cooked while they ate. He embraced vacation while they deigned to survive it. Andi smiled up at him.

“I don’t believe you. That water was frigid yesterday,” Hugh said. “But there’s hot stuff in conversation.”

“Oh?” Martin toweled off and gave Sydney a playful tap on the shin with his big toe. “Out of my chair, dear one.”

“Okay, okay.” She made a face and was slow to get up. But she did eventually. “Does anyone have a towel?”

Andi threw one at her. “We love you, but you’re unreal.”

“So what’s the hot topic?” Martin asked, reclaiming his chair.

“Nate Becker,” Sydney sang. “The super-cute one.”

“Oh! Says the soon-to-be-married Syd. Does the newly single Miss Andi agree?” Martin winked. Andi stuck out her tongue.

“You guys are insufferable.” But she relented. “Yes, I guess it was good to see Nate.”

Hugh pursed his lips. “Good to see him or good to gawk at him?”

“Yes, Hugh. He’s good-looking. And funny. So I enjoyed myself. Is that not allowed?”

“On the Darling family vacation? No. None of that is allowed.” Hugh studied her a moment. “But seriously, you two had a little chemistry. Yes?”

Andi shrugged. The last thing she needed was her nosy family getting involved in what little shred of a private life she might patch together. “Like I said, it was nice to see him.”

“Uh-huh. Okay, that’s how we’re going to be.” Hugh leaned back in his beach chair and closed his eyes. “I’ll be watching. Just remember, when your ex-husband shows up with Camilla the Gorilla, you could have that too.”

“Excuse me?”

“Well, no one’s suggesting you go ape.” Hugh snickered to himself. “That one Instagram photo you showed me…. But that aside, George is dating. He’s out there again. And yes, it’s too soon. And yes, he’s an ass about it. But it wouldn’t hurt you to have a little fun yourself.”

It was what Andi’s friends at home had been telling her all year. And what her therapist echoed. And their mother, last they’d spoken, had also hinted at. Maybe Andi should think about getting back out there. Even if the idea simultaneously electrified her and filled her with dread.

Andi groaned. “Okay, that’s enough about my private life. Let’s talk more about our biological father. Please.”

Hugh threw her a look, which only made her lean back into her beach chair in a fit of giggles. It was the first time the three siblings had actually enjoyed each other in any kind of organic way since they’d arrived. Maybe there was hope for the family vacation. Maybe they’d all make it through the wedding, after all. She was about to say as much when Hugh cleared his throat.

“Just so everyone is clear, do you all know Tish is still in town?”

Andi felt the wind go out of her sails. “Dad mentioned that. They talked on the phone, I think.”

“Yeah, well, I’m sure it was unpleasant. Mom wants to end her.”

“Can you blame her?” Martin asked. “That was pretty ballsy of your grandmother, even for her.”

“I’m wondering if we should go see her.”

It had occurred to Andi too. But she was still raw from Tish’s revelation. “You think she’ll change her mind?” She glanced at Sydney warily as she said it.

“No. But I want to know why. What have we ever done to her? I mean, was she really that concerned that you and I would take over her family inheritance somehow? It’s just all so bizarre.”

“And unkind,” Sydney allowed.

“Yeah. She’s pretty much rejected us.”

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