Page 36 of Summer Light on Nantucket

“But now we’re all going to bed,” Blythe said.

Miranda sighed dramatically and went up the stairs to her room.

Yawning, Blythe flicked off all the downstairs lights. As she went up to her own room, she thought how these teenagers, so full of energy and plans for the future, had no idea how beautiful they were, or how time would slowly burnish the honeyed smoothness of their limbs and their thoughts until their faces, their bodies, their hearts would be marked with life’s answers to their desires. The answers would not always beyes.

But sometimes the answer would beyes,and at the most unexpected moments.

complications

The next evening, Aaden took Blythe to the Brant Point Grill, where they drank cocktails on the porch overlooking Nantucket’s inner harbor. Ferries, private yachts, and sailboats came and went, passing one another easily through the calm waters. A Sunfish with a bright orange sail loitered near Monomoy.

Aaden wore a navy blazer and a white shirt that set off his new tan and his dark eyes. Blythe wore her most daring summer dress, with a necklace that dipped down into her cleavage.

It was a wonderful meal. They dined on oysters and sea bass. They sipped cold white wine. And for dessert, strawberry shortcake with mounds of real whipped cream. They talked about Nantucket matters—there was always so much to discuss about Nantucket. Rising seas. The new money. Traffic congestion. They were moving through a conversation maze, searching for each other.

“Where are your children tonight?” Aaden asked.

“The younger three are either having dinner at a friend’s house or with their grandmother. Miranda and Brooks are going to a new Marvel movie, so I don’t have to worry that they’re having sex in the house while I’m gone.” She paused. “Not that I know whether or not they’re ever actually having sex.”

And here they were. Their eyes met and held. His gaze on her face was so gentle, so warm. Just this, meeting his eyes, was like kissing. With each breath, a memory moved through her. Their first kiss so long ago. Such a sweet, yearning kiss that broke Blythe’s heart open to a hint of what a woman and a man could have together. Their quick pecks after they were a couple and passed each other on the street or when she slid into his car at the beginning of a date. The heated smash of their mouths when they were alone and desperate for each other’s touch.

The waiter approached.

“Would you care for anything else?”

Without looking away from Aaden, Blythe said, “Yes, please. I’d like a cup of coffee.”

The waiter went away.

She sighed. “I haven’t had a night like this for weeks. Months. Years.”

“You haven’t gone out to dinner?”

“Well, of course I’ve gone out to dinner. With my kids to Five Guys or with my friends to restaurants to eat more complicated meals than our children could tolerate. I’ve even had a few dates in the past three years, and at best they were pleasant, but sometimes—” Blythe shook her head. “I don’t even want to think about those times. I’m here on the island, it’s June, my children are well and happy, the food was perfection, and most of all, Aaden, I’m giddy to be sitting here with you.” Embarrassed, she covered her mouth with a hand, but it didn’t cover her smile. “I can’t believe I said that last part.”

“You always did talk a lot,” Aaden said.

The warmth in his eyes sent her heart racing.

“You always talked a lot, too,” she responded.

“I know. That’s one reason we’re so good together.”

She gave him a skeptical stare. “Present tense? You said ‘that’s one reason we’re so good together.’ Not one reason weweregood together.” Blythe didn’t know if she was teasing him or encouraging him. Well, of course she knew, she was encouraging him. He was irresistible.

Aaden crossed his arms on the table and leaned toward her. “We’re pretty good together right now, wouldn’t you say?”

“Yes,” Blythe agreed. “We are.”

“And we don’t need to account for our actions to anyone else. Not our parents. Not our children—”

Blythe interrupted him. “My children are sometimes around, and they’re impressionable.”

“Very well,” Aaden said. “I won’t ravish you in your living room.”

Blythe shivered and crossed her arms where goosebumps were spreading at his words, at the thought of what Aaden had said, what he would do.Ravish me.

She suggested mischievously, “Maybe you could stage a pre-ravish display if you ever hear Kate bursting into the house again. That might teach her to knock.”

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