Page 67 of The Summer We Started Over

“I’d love to,” Barrett told him. “What time is it?”

“Great! It’s six to nine but we can go anytime. It’s casual. Well, as casual as these galas can be.”

“Tomorrow’s Saturday,” Barrett said, thinking. “Let me see if Janny can work late.”

She was surprised to see Janny standing at the door, watching.

“You know we agreed that Saturday nights I never work,” Janny said, before Barrett could even ask.

Barrett sweetened her voice. “But could you, just this once?”

“No. I’d rather go to the gala with Paul.” Janny grinned and put her finger between her lips, looking like a mischievous child.

Barrett felt like she’d been slapped in the face. Her voice shook slightly when she asked, “Well,couldyou work tomorrow night?”

Janny countered, “But what about Drew? Doesn’t he get heretomorrow? Don’t you have plans with him?” She peeked up through her eyelashes at Paul. “I wouldloveto go with you.”

Barrett felt Paul’s entire body shift away from her.

“Oh, right, Barrett’s got Drew,” Paul said. “Sure, Janny, I’ll take you.”

Barrett wanted to tell the girl she was firedright now.

But Janny was right. What about Drew?

—

Saturday, Nantucket Blues was busy, and Barrett was glad. Janny came in at noon and worked until five. Barrett was uncomfortable around Janny, wondering why Paul so easily agreed to take her to the gala. Drew hadn’t called her. Usually he called in the morning, to tell her what time he’d arrive. She’d meet his plane and they’d go off for a late dinner or a long quiet evening on the beach.

In the afternoon, when the store was in a lull and Janny was at the counter, Barrett slipped outside to take a walk up and down the wharf. The day was delightful, sunny and not too humid, and the mega-yachts on the outer, private docks were amazing, like boats out of a Liam Neeson movie. Children were running, laughing, buying balloons, kites, and candy, their parents strolling behind, licking ice cream cones.

Life was beautiful! She should stop whining. She should be brave! She sat on a bench beneath a tree and impulsively called Drew.

“Hey, babe,” he answered. “What’s up?”

“Hey, you. I’m just wondering what we’re doing tonight.”

“Oh, damn. I meant to call you…I’ve got to go to some stupid fundraiser gala with my parents tonight. They bought tickets. Plus, it’s a good opportunity for me to network.”

Barrett blinked, confused. Drew was going to the gala and he hadn’t invited her to go with him?

Drew continued, “You wouldn’t like it, Barry. It’s all old farts and old cheese with damp crackers.” He laughed at his own joke.

She had to say something. Forcing good humor into her voice, she said, “Janny will be there.”

“I know. She told me. She’s going with that carpenter.”

That carpenter.

Paul was so much more than that. Barrett felt as if she were on an iceberg, breaking away from the continent.

When she didn’t speak, Drew said, “But I’ll try to be there early tomorrow. We can spend the afternoon together tomor— Oh, right. Do you have to be at your shop? Can’t you forget it for one afternoon?”

Barrett was so shocked, she couldn’t speak.

Drew continued talking. “Never mind, let’s get together Sunday evening. I’ll call.”

“That sounds nice, Drew.” Her mouth was dry. Her hands trembled. She felt like a foreigner in her own life. “I’ve got to get back to work.”

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