Page 46 of Searching for Sunshine

“Okay, that’s definitely more than ten people,” I point out, and Stella stares ahead of me in shock.

“Yeah, it definitely is,” Stella agrees. “Do you think Miss Agatha put something in the paper again?”

“If someone told her about it, I think it’s a pretty good possibility,” I say in response, and Stella’s eyes widen.

“God, this town is really something. Let’s go find Aves,” she suggests. I follow her through the party, looking for her best friend. Finally, after what feels like forever, Stella spots her and runs over.

“Happy birthday, Aves,” Stella says, wrapping Avery in a hug and kissing her on the cheek. “This is some party, huh?”

“I’ll say. Where the hell did all of these people come from?” I ask, looking around at the still growing crowd.

“Well, Miss Clara heard me talking about it at work today, and I told her that she could come by if she wanted to. But apparently, tonight is the same night as her knitting club, so shetold all the ladies to come, and then it grew from there. Honestly, they all brought their own alcohol, so I don’t really mind the extra guests.”

Stella laughs and looks through the crowd. “Aves, it looks like the nursing home edition ofSports Illustratedin here. I’ve never seen this many elderly ladies in a bikini.”

“Same.” Avery laughs. “Honestly, I think it’s fucking fabulous. I stand by the fact that I hope I have that kind of confidence when I’m their age.”

“Wait,” I interject. “If Miss Clara invited all of her friends, does that mean Miss Eleanor is here?”

I look around panicked while Avery gives me a funny look. “I can’t keep up with all the older ladies in town, Wyatt. I’m sorry, but which one is she?”

“The one who objected at our wedding because she has a ginormous crush on my husband,” Stella says and she and Avery both break into a fit of giggles at that.

“Oh my god. I almost forgot about that. But yeah, I’m sure she’s here somewhere,” Avery answers.

“Fuck,” I curse just as Miss Clara and Miss Eleanor make their way over to us.

“Happy birthday, Avery,” Miss Clara says with a wide smile while Miss Eleanor just glares at Stella.

“Thank you, Miss Clara,” Avery says, trying not to laugh at the current encounter.

“Wyatt, are you planning to save a dance for me tonight?” Miss Eleanor asks, and I feel my eyes widen at her question.

“As fun as that sounds, I don’t think I’ll have time,” I tell her. trying desperately to get her to leave me alone.

“We’ll see about that,” she mutters under her breath, before turning to Avery. “Happy birthday, dear. Thank you so much for having us.”

“Of course, y’all enjoy,” Avery says, smiling widely at them as they meander further into the party. As soon as they’re gone, she turns to me with wide eyes.

“Oh my god, that was fucking hilarious. She’s like actually into you,” she says. Stella covers her mouth to keep her giggle from spilling out.

“I need a fucking drink,” I mutter, and both girls finally dissolve into laughter.

“I love this place a little more every day,” Stella admits. “Now, let’s grab a drink before Miss Eleanor comes by and scoops you up.”

“Come on,we’ve gotta get out of here,” I whisper to Stella a few hours later. I’ve spent more time avoiding Miss Eleanor over the last few hours than I’ve spent with Stella, and I’m more than ready to strip Stella down, and spend the next few hours giving her body the attention it deserves.

“Okay, yeah, let’s go. It’s been kind of a long day and Avery looks like she’s having a great time,” she says, gesturing to where her best friend is dancing on top of the makeshift stage, singing and dancing with a few of the locals I haven’t met yet. “Let me just text her that we’re leaving and we’ll go.”

“Perfect,” I tell her before lowering my voice. “I’ve spent all night looking at how fucking sexy you are and I’m gonna lose it if I don’t get my hands on you.”

Stella blushes and grabs my hand, leading me back through the woods to the cottage. Every few steps, she stops and pulls me down to kiss me hard before continuing on her way.

“Shit, Stels, I want you so damn bad,” I mutter, trying to hold her to me but since she’s still in her swimsuit, the slick fabric helps her slip out of my grip.

“Come on, Wyatt. If we start out here, I won’t want to stop and some of the guests could see us,” she argues. I grab her hand to let her lead us, knowing she’s right.

I follow her back to the cottage, where she guides me to the small alcove where there’s an outdoor shower we use to rinse the sand off from the beach. As soon as we step behind the wooden partition that shields us from the rest of the path, I pull her to me and kiss her hard.

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