Page 41 of Seven Summer Weekends

“I’ve heard of him! He’s a hottie.” Kizzy winked at Addison. “The first Black surfer to win the US Open of Surfing.”

“I didn’t know you were into surfing,” Addison remarked in surprise.

“I’m not. I’m into black people breaking stereotypes. How old is he?” she asked Ben.

“Pushing forty.”

“Perfect for that one-night stand you’ve never had, Addison.”

“Kizzy!” Addison shoved her. “Look who’s talking!”

“Well, I have been married since, like, the tenth grade. What’s your excuse?”

“It’s not happening,” Addison insisted before going back to busying herself with her corn.

Ben piped in, clearly feeling like one of the girls, “They serve a purpose, you know. No commitment. No feelings. Just sex. I’ve only had one-night stands since my wife passed away.”

“What if you develop feelings?” Kizzy asked, sincerely curious.

“In one night? Not a problem for me.”

“What about for them?” Addison asked.

“So far, no complaints.”

“That’s gross,” Addison said.

“There’s nothing gross about it. It’s totally transactional. Tit for tat.”

“You’re the tat, I presume.”

“I think this is my cue to leave,” he said, a bit flustered. “I’m going to take a lap. Receive some accolades for my winning run today.”

“Ourwinning runs,” Addison pointed out with a flirty smile.

“Our winning runs.” He smiled back at her as he stood, causing the sweet dimple to appear on his cheek. She felt like she was on an emotional roller coaster with this guy.

“Why did you bring that up, Kizzy? So embarrassing!”

“Sorry, what do you care? You’re not interested in him anyway, remember?”

Addison’s thumbnail went right to her mouth.

“Don’t sleep with the slightly manic, emotionally unavailable neighbor, under any circumstances, Addison. That is not a one-night stand. That’s a see-him-every-day-afterward-and-regret-it stand.”

Addison agreed, but fought the urge to cross her fingers as shedid.

WeekFive

Chapter Twenty

Addison and Kizzy sat on the beach for most of the week, reading, drinking wine, searching for job listings for Addison, and blowing up pictures of Terrence Williams’s abs.

The tide suddenly rolled in, taking out an older couple sitting by the shoreline. The seniors jumped from their chairs, grabbing their flip-flops from the surf and laughing as the cold water shocked their toes. The husband gave the wife a swift pat on her rear, causing Kizzy and Addison to react in unison.

“How sweet!” Kizzy exclaimed.

“How mortifying,” Addison scoffed.

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