Page 90 of Hotter in the Hamptons

“Notes of cedar?” Ryan guessed.

The server was impressed. “You’re a natural,” he said.

Lola raised an eyebrow. “You looked at the menu ahead of time.” She knew him too well.

Ryan laughed, guilty. “Can you blame me for trying to impress this guy?” He nudged Emmett.

Emmett grinned at him. “Babe, you don’t need to know about wine to impress me.”

Lola watched them kiss, her heart full. Next to her, Aly was smiling too.

“You guys are really cute,” the server said, his ruddy cheeks turning redder. “It’s so nice to get a table of gays in here for once.”

Lola’s mouth opened and closed as she considered and then reconsidered asserting that she wasn’t gay.

Instead, she allowed herself to feel what it was like to be included in the category. She knew that there was likely no universe in which someone would see her out of context and read her as anything but straight. But as Aly’s date, with Emmett and Ryan making out across from them, she fit it. She was one of them. She was not the straight girl tagging along with her gay friends. She was…

Well, she still didn’t know what she was. But that was okay. Best not to overthink it.

Meanwhile, the server seamlessly moved on to telling them about a more full-bodied red.

When they’d made their way through every sample of wine on the menu, they continued to linger at the table, tipsy and rambunctious.

Other groups were leaving, presumably to go to their dinner reservations. On her way out, a woman stopped by their table. She had the look of a publicist; she wore a black jumpsuit despite the heat, her brown hair pulled into an aggressively tight ponytail.

“Ryan!” she squeaked.

“Jessica,” Ryan gasped, standing up to hug her. “I am gagged to see you.”

Jessica grinned. “Summer Fridays, huh?”

“Guys, this is my work wife, Jessica,” Ryan said, introducing everyone. Lola was only slightly jealous that Ryan had another wife.

Jessica’s eyes settled on Lola. “I’ve heardsomuch about you,” she said. “I want you to know that we all think what happened to you in the spring was ridiculous. Everyone has just lost their minds these days. I’m sure it’ll be forgotten by New York Fashion Week. Paris at the latest.”

“That’s nice of you to say,” Lola said, her skin feeling warm.

“It’s simply the truth. I know you’ll have the perfect comeback. What brands are you working with?” Jessica asked.

“Lola doesn’t need to worry about all that right now,” Aly chimed in, putting a protective hand over Lola’s. Lola’s stomach sank. She felt suddenly very small.

Lola knew Aly was trying to be protective, but how it felt was…dismissive.

Shedidneed to worry about it right now. Summer was rapidly reaching its conclusion, and she was no closer to making a plan thanwhen it started. The wine in Lola’s stomach roiled, and instead of setting her wineglass down, she took a healthy swig.

It was easy for Aly to say that Lola didn’t need to worry when Aly’s career was on such a clear upward trajectory. Aly had no idea what it felt like to need to start over. Aly had a dream, a clear vision, support to get her there. She was…happy, happy with where it was all going.

A low-grade panic started to froth in Lola’s gut, and she wanted to drown it out. Telling Lola not to worry wasn’t supportive. It was encouraging her worst instincts.

“Oh, wow, you’re ARC.” Jessica eyed Aly, putting two and two together. To Lola, she said, “I see you’ve made peace with the enemy.”

Aly laughed. “I’m hoping that I’m not the enemy anymore.”

“What happens in East Hampton.” Lola shrugged, forcing a smile.

Aly squeezed Lola’s hand under the table and then whispered in her ear, “I would really like it if this didn’t stay in East Hampton.”

“I know,” Lola replied. “I’m still thinking about it.”

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