Page 79 of The Summer of Everything

“We’re lowkey giving each other space,” Wes finally says.

“Sounds juvenile.”

“Thanks, Leo.” As if Wes’s conscience hasn’t done a stellar job of reminding him he’s a total noob for being unable to fix this.

“Talk to Nico,” Leo says sternly.

Wes sucks air through his teeth. “Like I had other plans.”

“Knowing you? You probably didn’t have a plan at all. Just a useless list.”

The limits of Wes’s patience are being tested with every second they share the same air. Unfortunately, ignoring Leo and the bubbling hostility in Wes’s chest are both unavailable options.

“I will,” he says calmly.

“Good.” Leo picks up his surfboard, tucking it under one arm. “And I’ll work on this bookstore thing.”

Wes’s lips won’t part for athanks, but Leo doesn’t complain either. This is a start.

It’s not the best one, but it’s a start.

Chapter Eighteen

“Is this really necessary?”

“Yes.”

Wes knows that, in fact, this isn’t necessary. But Ella’s holding a liquid-eyeliner pencil millimeters from his face, so he chooses not to argue. The eyeliner is overkill. So are the five different shirts Ella made Wes try on before she selected the peach-colored button-up he’s currently wearing. Why do friend makeovers look way cooler in the movies than in reality? It took them two hours to get to this phase of things.

And for what? Wes is onlyco-hosting Once Upon a Page’s first-ever open mic night. Not by choice, though. He was voted to this position by a committee of his ex-friends.

Now he’s seated on a stool behind the bookstore’s front counter as Ella “glams” him up.

“Don’t blink,” she demands.

Wes doesn’t know why, but he holds his breath while trying to remain frozen.

“Okay.” She shuffles back, appraising him. “Eight out of ten.”

Wes exhales. He’s always figured himself for a hard seven, so it’s a mild improvement. He tugs out his phone, opens the camera on selfie mode, and examines himself.Not terrible.

In the background of his lens, the bookstore looks great. Zay and Nico spent the day moving shelves and displays to open a corner near the front window. Stools, amps, and two microphone stands—all borrowed from Zay’s music friends—are in place. Anna decorated the area with twinkle lights and multicolored streamers from a party supply store. Cooper’s currently setting up bongos for his opening performance.

Bongos.Dude’s wild.

Still, Wes hopes it’s a decent turnout for tonight’s event.

Thankfully, it’s Mrs. Rossi’s evening off. Unless she’s checked the bookstore’s social media—which she never does—she’s unaware of the impending festivities. Wes hopes they can move everything back before her midafternoon shift tomorrow.

“Oh, wow.” Arms loaded with cups and bags, Kyra pauses near the counter. They couldn’t secure space in Brews and Views to host open mic night but Eugene, the manager, happily donated coffee and pastries for the event. “Hashtag Sexy Wesley.”

Wes ducks his head, face hot. But Ella’s shoulders draw back, chin lifted. “Thank you.”

Anna skips to the front counter. “Need help?”

“Thank you,” Kyra says with a groan.

Anna eagerly accepts the bags, her face flushed.

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