Page 111 of The Summer of Everything

Ella exhales, blinking. Wes is almost positive she’s wearing waterproof mascara, but he’s not emotionally ready for her to cry.

“Then thank this woman,” Ella says, tossing an arm around Mrs. Rossi’s shoulders. “Because she made all this happen for you. For all of us.” She kisses Mrs. Rossi’s temple.

Okay, Wes might cry with or without Ella.

People clap, wolf whistle. Some chant Mrs. Rossi’s name. It’s a buffet of singles, locals, teens, and adults, all here thanks to Mrs. Rossi. And in the middle of the sea of faces and books is her husband, salt-and-pepper hair to match his moustache, broad shoulders juxtaposed with his small gut. He can’t take his eyes off her.

Neither can Wes.

“Ohmygod, there’s arockin my eye,” Kyra says, wiping her face. “I didn’t sign up for this.”

Everyone laughs, including Wes.

“Sorry, sorry.” Ella snorts. “Emotions are the worst, man.”

“Amen,” Mrs. Rossi says, dabbing at her own eyes. “Let’s stick to books.”

“Agreed,” says Ella. “Is everyone ready to get this thing lit?”

Another wave of cheers breaks out; the noise floods Colorado Avenue with more excitement than Wes can handle. He takes a few steps back, allowing latecomers to nudge inside.

“Dude!” Cooper walks up, Lucas beside him. “Are you leaving?”

“Uh.” Wes rubs at his jaw. “Nah. Just making space.”

“Good, because the two coolest peeps just arrived,” Cooper says, curling an arm around Lucas’s shoulders.

Lucas beams, rocking a bright orange and blue plaid shirt and jeans. Cooper’s in a tank top, board shorts, and flip-flops, holding a Savannah Kirk book, of course. Lucas clings to a Batman graphic novel. Wes is proud of his mild influence there. Both have over-styled and product-stiff hair, so clearly Cooper’s having an effect too.

“We can’t stay long,” Cooper announces. “This one has a curfew.”

“Oh, like you don’t.”

Wes is elated they’re friends. They don’t go to the same school, but Wes is positive Cooper’s going to look out for Lucas during the year. Vice versa too. And Wes called in one last favor from Mrs. Rossi—when the new coffeehouse opens, Lucas has a guaranteed job managing the book corner. They’ve already worked out a plan to sneak some graphic novels next to the bestselling mystery novels.

“Wow,” Cooper says, standing on his toes to peek through the front window. “It’s jammed in there. A cornucopia of singles waiting to hit on you.” He waggles his eyebrows at Wes.

“Yeah, no.” Wes laughs. “I’m totally not interested.”

He and Nico still haven’t mentioned their talk on the beach to anyone. Not that there’s much to tell. They haven’t kissed or even gone on a date. Not one hand-holding moment has occurred in three days. But that’s cool with Wes. For now, at least.

“Understood.” Cooper lifts his book. “I’m here to find my fellow Kirklands.”

Ugh. It’s the worst name for Savannah’s fandom. It’s so basic. So unoriginal too.

“But you, Wes,” Cooper shares a look with Lucas, “Your OTL will show up any day now.”

OTL.One true love. It’s something Cooper made up. Or maybe it’s a hashtag. Either way, it’s terrible.

“Suuure,” Wes says, but then, like out of a dream, he hears wheels grinding on the pavement. Nico glides up, hair tucked under a backward snapback, wearing black-rimmed glasses, a loose tee, and ripped skinnies.

He stops right in front of Wes. “Sorry I’m late,” he says, a little breathless.

“I didn’t know you were coming?” Wes replies, confused. “I thought you’d be babysitting.”

“And miss this?” Nico up-nods toward the bookstore. “I’m feeling lucky tonight. Like I might find my match.”

“Your match?”

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