Page 51 of The Summer of Everything

“Don’t listen to her,” Tiffany insists. “It’s a good dress.”

Grace sighs. “I hope we’re not settling for ‘good’ now.”

Quietly, Wes snorts. This unintentional sitcom has been thoroughly entertaining.

“Wes?” Eyebrows raised, Leeann looks at him in the mirror. She has the same cheeks as her sister, but Leeann’s eyes are softer and seem effortlessly friendly when they’re focused on someone. “What do you think?”

Wes shouldn’t be surprised by Leeann’s inquiry—this is not the first time today his opinion has been requested—but he can sense Tiffany’s curious stare and Grace’s judging one pin him to the chair. He’s certainly not an authority on wedding dresses. More than once, he’s had to Google things like “A-line” and “Basque” and “Who the hell is Queen Anne?” His own wardrobe doesn’t extend past sweatpants, hoodies, and graphic T-shirts. He wears shoes forcomfort, not attention. But this is important to Leeann, so he’s attempting to be thoughtful and constructive with his views.

“Uh…?”

Okay,attemptingmight’ve been an embellishment.

In the mirror, Grace sizes Wes up. “Are we sure we want…” She peeks down at Wes’s electric blue Pumas. “…hisopinion?”

Her phone case is bedazzled in pink jewels outlining a Hello Kitty. He doesn’t think she has room to discuss opinion levels.

The corners of Leeann’s mouth quirk, showing off twin dimples. Her shoulder-length hair is twisted up in a messy bun so she can access the dress’s neckline and how her bare shoulders look. “Yes,” she finally says, raising an eyebrow that matches her sister’s. “That’s my brother—your future brother too—and his kickass thoughts matter the most.”

A flush burns Wes’s cheeks.

“O-kay,” mumbles Grace.

“I think…” Wes pauses, rubbing the back of his neck. He considers Leeann’s reflection. “It’s not over the top. It’s not unnecessary and, what did you call it? HBO After Dark?” Wes pointedly waits until Grace scowls before continuing. “Because that’s not you. It’s kind of a princess vibe, but definitely the princess who has no problem stepping up and ruling the kingdom and ending anyone who challenges her.”

Leeann chortles. Soft, loose pieces of hair escape the bun and fall around her cheeks. She’s wearing minimal makeup, and everything about her is a dream. That’s probably the magic of precisely chosen store lighting and object spacing. Wes is certain Jessica, Leeann’s personal dress attendant, sells everyone a new dress and a share of whatever pyramid scheme she’s pushing with this kind of lighting.

“Thanks,” whispers Leeann.

“As future maid of honor, I hope you’ll at least listen to me when we go veil shopping,” Grace says with a huff.

“Girl, bye. There’s no way you’re maid of honor over me.” Tiffany puckers her lips.

“I’m hersister.”

“I’m her best friend and the one who introduced her to Leo.”

Hand over her eyes, Leeann groans as they squabble. Wes doesn’t envy her at all.

Sneakily, he snaps a few photos of her in the dress. He doesn’t plan to show Leo—that would require some form of communication—but maybe he’ll text them to Savannah. Then, he swipes away all his notifications except one. Nico’s updated his Instagram with a new post. It’s from a few hours ago; a shot of the morning sun still kissing the ocean’s surface. Pinkish blue skies float above the darkened silhouettes of palm trees. Wes recognizes that view without peeking at the tags.

“Have you two decided on a date yet?” Tiffany asks. She stands behind Leeann, helping fix the dress’s tangled skirt.

“Not an exact date, but a month.” Leeann puffs out a breath to get hair out of her eyes. “May of next year.”

“May? A little cliché, don’t you think?” Grace says, tapping away at her phone.

“Nope,” Leeann replies cheerily, as if she’s grown accustomed to fending off her sister’s judgment. Wes should study her tact, then use it to vanquish Leo. “We didn’t want to do something too soon. Leo’s getting ready for the LSAT. Then he’s starting law school.” She brushes invisible lint from the bodice. “Plus, Wes starts UCLA in the fall. We wanted to give him a chance to adjust to campus life.”

Wes sits up, stunned. They picked a wedding month partially set around him? It’s a kind gesture—and something completely unexpected coming from his brother—but… Wes doesn’t know if their life choices should be based around his very uncertain future.

“Whatever you want,” Grace says, as if she’s opposed toeverythingLeeann wants. She stands, elbowing Tiffany as she passes. “Come on. Let’s go shop for possible maid of honor dresses.”

“For me, right?” Tiffany grabs her purse.

“Sure thing, sweetie,” Grace replies tightly.

Leeann saunters over to the armchairs. She carefully sits on the edge of the empty one and presses down the tulle skirt.

---