Page 85 of Hotter in the Hamptons

“Wehaveto talk interiors,” he said to Aly, kissing her on bothcheeks. “And this is Emmett, my boyfriend.”

Lola couldn’t help it. “Boyfriend?” she shrieked.

Ryan laughed. “How’s that for a hard launch?”

Emmett grinned and grabbed Ryan’s hand.

Lola felt competing emotions: thrilled for Ryan that he found someone he loved enough to put a label on and absolutely riddled with guilt that she hadn’t been there for it.

“Why do you look like you’re going to cry?” Ryan asked her.

“Sorry,” she said, laughing as she wiped a tear from her eyes. “I’m just so happy for you. And so sorry for being the worst friend in the world.”

“You’re not theworst,” he said.

Her heart did a little happy jump. It almost felt like forgiveness.

***

Aly refused to let anyone help cook, so the three of them sat at the table and waited for her to serve them. Delicious smells were wafting around them, making Lola’s stomach growl. Boygenius played softly from hidden speakers, and the lighting was soft and warm. Lola felt like they were auditioning to be the Spotify playlist picture for Dinner with Friends.

“Emmett, I’m going to need a full bio,” Lola said. The table was lit with candles and decorated with a huge bouquet of sunflowers.

“Well, I’m a talent manager,” Emmett said. “I’m from Brooklyn originally. I’m a cat dad of two. I don’t usually come to the Hamptons, but my mother insisted I take a vacation, and I always listen to her. Oh, and I’m in love.”

Ryan was blushing, something Lola had never seen before.

“A talent manager, huh,” she said. “I don’t know if Ryan told you,but I’m in need of a whole new team.”

“Lola,” Ryan warned.

“Sorry, sorry.” She smiled, sheepish. “I am supposed to stop making things about me.”

She felt a flash of guilt remembering how she’d stood up their dinner the night before. She couldn’t believe how selfish she’d been, not giving Ryan room to talk about the perfect man at the table across from her. It clearlywasserious.

“I’m happy to give you some names,” Emmett said, nonplussed. “I just don’t represent friends, and I have a feeling you and I are going to begreatfriends.”

She felt warm all over.

“So I saw the sewing machine,” Emmett said. “Seems like there’s a story there.”

Lola eyed Ryan, waiting for him to get pissed about her large purchase, but he just nodded at her to talk.

“I used to make clothes,” she said. “Or at least I used to rehabilitate secondhand items, give them new life. I was thinking about getting back into it. I mean, what else am I doing? I can’t work with brands right now, might as well do my own thing.”

“I think that’s a great idea,” Emmett said.

“Do you think that as a talent manager or as someone dating my best friend?”

“Both,” he laughed. “You do have to keep moving forward, you know? The spon con will come back. It always does. Meanwhile, it’s a great time to reestablish your own brand, remind people whoyouare and why they follow you.”

“I love him,” Lola said to Ryan.

“Right?” Ryan beamed.

“And a cat dad to boot. Are you sure you don’t want to marry me instead? My life has been sorely lacking cat children.”

Ryan flicked his napkin her way, and Lola grinned.

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