Page 9 of Hot Girl Summer

I know damn well the game would be over if I gave my handle using my real name. I place my phone face down on the table and take a long pull of my drink. “You were right to assume my ‘gram girl status.”

“But of course. We’re not pretty enough for the ‘gram, as you can see.”

“Oh come on. You’re not seriously fishing for a compliment right now?”

The lines around his eyes deepen as the corners of his mouth curl up, treating me to a full set of dimples that make me blush. I can’t help but smile back.

“There you are,” Stefan says, approaching our table.

Perfect timing.

He eyes up a tense Danny and introduces himself, then he turns a pointed look in my direction. I brush Danny’s arm, where soft, ribbed cotton meets his skin, and he eases under my touch. I know how intimidating Stefan’s strong, Scandinavian looks can be, and how they can be misinterpreted.

“Chrissy’s gone.”

I mentally kick myself. I had completely forgotten about that vile she-devil. “What do you mean?” I plead ignorance.

“We’ve looked everywhere.”

“The roof terrace?”

Stefan nods.

“What about the beach?”

He huffs out a sigh, then nods again. I sit back and pretend to think. Is it really so awful if I fail to mention the incident?

“Maybe she went off with her friends. Didn’t you say it was a full moon? I’m pretty sure if you look up at the sky she’ll be riding a cold, shiny, hard plastic broomstick,” I smirk.

Stefan is unimpressed to say the least, but I’m delightfully entertained.

“She isn’t answering any of Ryan’s calls or messages. We’re going to head out, see if she’s at his place.” He looks at Danny again, and the most ridiculous smile spreads across his face. “But you can stay here if you like?”

Yes, I would like that very much,is how I want to reply, but instead I opt for, “I’ll be down in a minute.”

Stefan winks, we exchange goodbyes and he leaves. He can be so childish sometimes, but my god, do I love him.

“I guess I should probably try and find my friends too.” Danny says, hesitating. “But if you don’t want to leave just yet, you’re welcome to stay with us. Don’t worry, I’m not a creep or anything. We’re pretty decent guys.”

I side-eye him. “That’s what all the creeps say.”

Standing, I fix my outfit and consider his offer. Giving him a final once-over, I tuck the image in my mind with the intention of using it for my drunk 3am orgasm-induced slumber, but when my eyes fall to his hands, I throw it straight in the trash.

There’s no mistaking the silver wedding band on his finger, or that I was right all along. He really is the worst kind of human.

“Thanks, but I, uh, better go help my friends.”

“Take care of yourself, Summer. I hope you find your friend.”

“She’s not my friend, but that’s a whole different story. I’ll tell you some time, if I ever see you again.”

I walk away, hoping I’ll never have to.

Chapter Three

ThelastSaturdayinJune is as busy as any other weekend at Ivy Rose Organics. They're a small skincare company who pride themselves on their green credentials, and high quality, cruelty free and sustainable ingredients. It’s harder work than people give any of us who work here credit for, but I adore my job.

My regular clientele consists of mostly middle-class, middle-aged women hoping to recapture their youth, whilst simultaneously trying to save the planet. They tip well, and they always have interesting stories to tell.

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