Page 62 of New York Love Stories: Vol. 2

We exchange smiles, and I notice a silver streak running through her hair that wasn’t there the last time I saw her. It only adds to her sophistication. “I’m doing well. How are you?”

“Wonderful. I’m so glad everyone could come this weekend.” She wraps her arm around my shoulders, and we walk toward the porch together. The gray shingle home with white trim and white columns leaves me in awe every time I see it. It doesn’t matter that I’ve visited a handful of times over the years. This house is beautiful down to the smallest detail and so inviting.

“I am too. I needed a break from the city.” Maybe from your son and those towels, but I think it’s wise to keep that last part to myself. “I love coming here.”

“The cottage needs life breathed into it and nothing like the young to fill it with excitement.” She refers to her home as a cottage, but at six thousand square feet, I’m thinking the quaint term isn’t quite fitting.

When we reach the porch, she turns back, and says, “Good to see you, Jackson,” making sure she’s greeted every guest.

He waves. “You too, Ms. Allison.”

“Amanda.”

“Got it. Amanda.”

She laughs, turning back to me. “He can be such an Eddie Haskell sometimes.”

“Who?”

She waves her hand. “Never mind. Are you hungry? I set out snacks, and since it’s reached cocktail hour, let’s have a drink.I’d also love to hear more about your apartment search this weekend. Rad said you haven’t found anything suitable yet.”

That’s interesting since I’ve found probably five options, but it was him who wasn’t on board with them. I glance back over my shoulder, catching Rad’s eyes on me as he drags the luggage across the lawn. He grins, and I return a smile.

“Absolutely.”

As Rad’s apartment is warm with original brown brick walls, black-framed windows, and darkish wood floors, Amanda’s home is bright and airy with whites and soft colors. I can only dream of owning a home like this one day.

The house is bustling with laughter as champagne is being popped, and various conversations are overheard as we enter the great room. The gang has arrived and already made themselves at home.

The table for eight has been transformed into a buffet of snacks, and a full bar is set up at the far end. “You’ve gone to too much trouble, Amanda.”

“No trouble. I love having all of you here.” Patting my back, she says, “Go on in. I want to check on a few last-minute details.”

“I’m starved,” I say, joining Marlow at the buffet. We round the table filling our plates, and at the end, she offers me a glass of white wine, then she goes outside on the back deck to join the others.

My hand clashes with another just as I reach over for the last frosted sugar cookie. My eyes dart to the culprit. Those golden centers still shine without the sun when Rad sports a playful grin. “I don’t think so, Welly.” We’re both quick to grab for the cookie, but I win and take a victory bite. “I’m sure the snickerdoodles are just as delicious.”

He growls. “You’re lucky you’re cute, Bell.” He snatches a snickerdoodle, tearing into it as he walks outside.

With my mouth too full to talk, I stare at the back of him.

Rad Wellington thinks I’m,me—Tealey Bell, is cute.

Feeling giddy inside, I go outside to join the others. I just wish I could stop staring at Rad like we suddenly have a secret.

“I’m thinkingalcohol and swimming in the oceanat nightisn’t our best idea.”

Cammie tipsily skips across the lawn. “Probably not, but it sure is fun.”

Jackson, Rad, and Cade are already at the beach because we’re women who took ‘too long to figure out which suit to wear,’ as Jackson put it.

He’s right. It’s not like there’s a beach full of single, hot guys waiting for us.

“What took you so long?” Rad calls to us.

I take that back.

Cammie runs and jumps into Cade’s arms, sending him to his ass under fits of her giggles.

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