Page 86 of Hotter in the Hamptons

Aly finally left the stove and came to the table, putting a hand on Lola’s shoulder. “Okay, guys, I’ve got pasta with homemade tomato sauce, sautéed kale, and roast chicken. Give me your plates.”

“You’re going toplatefor us?” Ryan gasped.

“Of course.” Aly nodded, solemn in her role as chef. “Just tell me what part of the chicken you prefer.”

“Lola likes breast,” Ryan said.

Aly’s neck turned pink. “I know she does.”

Each plate Aly brought back to the table was artfully arranged and steaming hot. Lola uncorked the red wine and gave everyone a generous pour. Finally, after they all had food in front of them, Aly sat down.

“Eat,” she said. “Don’t let it get cold.”

Lola gave Aly’s knee a squeeze, and they exchanged smiles. “Thanks for cooking, babe,” Lola said.

“Seriously, thank you,” Emmett said. “It’s so nice to not be at a restaurant for once this summer.”

“I’m so sorry for yesterday, Emmett,” Lola said. “I feel like such a dick.”

“Girl, it’s fine,” Emmett said. “Sometimes you really do just need to sixty-nine on a priceless piece of furniture.”

Aly nearly did a spit take, struggling to swallow her wine.

“Ryan!” Lola screamed, but she was laughing.

He shrugged, then flashed a wicked grin. “You shouldn’t have done it if you didn’t want me to talk about it.”

“Fair enough,” Aly said. “Okay, I want to know everything about both of you.”

***

Dessert was peaches, which Aly grilled in the yard while the rest of them lay on her lawn furniture and looked at the stars.

It was a clear, warm, perfect night. The full moon looked like an opal in the velvet sky. Just a few yards in front of them, the ocean roared in and out, washing away the day’s footprints.

“I really like him,” Lola whispered to Ryan.

“Right?”

“He’s so nice and smart and seems really…” She searched for the word. “Like, normal? As in not crazy.”

“I know, right?” Ryan said. “Can you believe there are still normal guys out there?”

“I can hear you,” Emmett said, and they all laughed.

Aly fetched a pint of vanilla ice cream from inside and then made them all put two scoops on top of their grilled peaches, which she served in white ceramic bowls.

“And to think, we could have been having chic dinner parties all summer,” Ryan said. “Instead of whatever Greek tragedy you two have been involved in.”

“I think the tragic part is over,” Lola said. “I’m ready for things to be good from here on out.”

“Me too,” Ryan said. “And I’m so glad to have you back.”

“So you forgive me?” Lola asked.

“I forgive you,” he confirmed. “Besides, it’s hard to stay mad when I’m in love.”

Emmett leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. Lola kissed the other cheek. “You guys!” Ryan cried, laughing. “This is too much PDA. But thank you. I feel very special.”

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