Page 31 of The Summer We Started Over

What kind of restaurant would Drew take her to? Barrett wondered. What should she dress for? The old money people never wore designer clothing or flashy jewelry, unlike the new money people who wore their wealth like blinking neon signs. But Barrett wasn’t rich or poor. And she wasn’t an islander or a summer person. She’d lived here long enough to be considered a washed-ashore, and for heaven’s sake, she was a grown woman, she should wear whatever she wanted. The late May nights could still be cool. She decided on a flowery dress, a long cashmere cardigan, and a long cashmere scarf. Layers were always good for the spring. She coiled her hair up into a messy chignon, added small diamond ear studs and only a touch of lipstick and eyeliner. Rich or poor, it didn’t pay to wear heavy makeup if you might go swimming or boating. No blush or mascara could hold up to the ocean and its breezes. Best to be honest about yourself from the start.

Barrett snorted. She was only having dinner with the guy. Duringthe years she’d lived here, she’d learned one sure thing about herself: She wanted to live on this island for the rest of her life. The ocean captivated her. It was eternally mysterious and compelling. A good long walk by the ocean often solved her problems and lit up a path she hadn’t known was there. She’d made friends here, and she didn’t want to leave them. Theygother, the adult Barrett, the real woman. She didn’t want to live with her father all her life, but she did have a vague plan in the back of her mind about building a small house at the other end of the property, or turning the barn into a house where she could live and have her own life but still be helpful to her father. Although, she had to admit, her father was still young enough to meet a new woman and start his life over. She hoped that happened for him.

How did Eddie do it? How did she manage to extract herself from the family crash site? Barrett had heard a hundred thousand times how much fun it was to live with Dinah.

Oh, look, now we’re in Paris! Oh, wow, we saw Florence Pugh on the street, but I didn’t snap a pic because we don’t do that in the city. OMG, Dinah just bought me a pair of pink Manolo Blahnik pumps ($1,200)!

The crackle of gravel in the driveway alerted her. Drew was here! Barrett blew herself a kiss in the mirror and hurried down to the front door. Eddie had promised to keep their father in his study, discussing Wordsworth or Coleridge, whatever, so that William wouldn’t come wandering up to Drew and babble about daffodils.

Barrett came out on the porch just as Drew stepped out of the car. It was a Jeep convertible, not a Lamborghini or even a Mercedes. He wore a blue button-down, no blazer, so Barrett had dressed just fine.

“Hi,” she said, skipping down the steps and over the slate path to meet him.

“Hi,” Drew said back.

His eyes were almost robin’s-egg blue. Could that even be possible? He was shorter than she’d remembered, but very handsome.

“You look great,” Drew said.

“You, too.” If she’d had longer eyelashes, she would have fluttered them.

“I thought we’d go to Town,” Drew said. “They’ve got a good menu. Have you been there?”

He opened her car door and held it as Barrett slid inside. “Yes, I love it. They have great cocktails.”

Drew got in and started the car, looking over his shoulder as he backed out.

Barrett asked, “Do you spend every summer here?”

“I wish.” Drew flashed her a smile. “I used to, when I was a kid. Now I’m too busy working to live here all summer.”

“You’re from Boston?” Barrett prompted, wanting to know more.

“Right. I’m the CFO for the firm’s Boston branch. We’ve always summered on Nantucket and spent holidays here. I go back andforth.”

Drew was quiet as he navigated the narrow one-way streets. He parked on Broad Street, a short walk to the restaurant. They chose to eat inside because the May evenings could be chilly, and soon they were tucked into a quiet table in the corner.

After they’d ordered drinks, Barrett asked, “Did your sister like her sweater?”

“She did. Very much. For once she approves of my decision.”

“Foronce?” Barrett laughed. “I get it. I have a sister, too.”

Conversation paused while the waiter set down their drinks and took their order.

Barrett unfolded her napkin, wondering if she should ask him, and then thought she might as well find out about his soft spots now. “Is your sister hard to please?”

“No. Janny’s actually adorable. We all spoil her.” Drew smiled. “She talked her way into getting the bedroom facing the ocean. I face the street.”

It seemed only natural for Barrett to ask, “Where do you live on the island?”

Drew paused before answering, as if wanting to be careful with hisreply. “Our summer house is on the cliff. The large old shingled house with roses all over one side.”

“Oh.”Eddie was right,Barrett thought.He’s fromthatwealthy family. “I know which house you mean,” Barrett said. “I love that house.”

Drew turned the conversation back to her. “You said you have a sister. How do you two get along?”

Barrett sipped her drink while she considered how to answer. “Just fine. We’re different, even though we’re only a couple of years apart in age. She’s ambitious and sophisticated and…she likes to go at a faster pace than I do. But I love her, and I admire her.”

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