Page 43 of The Beach Shack Summer
“That’s Luke,” Stella repeated, mimicking Meg’s tone. “Because you’ve memorized his knock because you’re obviously together.”
Meg froze, wooden spoon in hand.
“What?” Stella rolled her eyes. “It’s pretty obvious. The way you look at each other, the cheek kissing, the ‘that’s Luke’ thing.”
Tyler was trying not to laugh. “She’s got a point.”
“We’re not—I mean, we are, but?—“
“Just get the door,” Tyler said. “Before he thinks we’ve abandoned him.”
Meg fled to the door, face burning. Behind her, she heard Stella say, “So are they pretending it’s a secret or...”
“I honestly don’t know,” Tyler admitted.
Luke stood on the porch with a bottle of wine and a bemused expression. “Everything okay? I heard voices.”
“Stella just called us out for being obvious.”
“Ah.” He stepped inside, kissing her cheek. “Smart kid.”
“You’re doing it again,” Stella called from the kitchen.
They found her perched on the same stool, now openly amused. Tyler was leaning against the counter, beer in hand, looking like he was enjoying himself.
“So,” Luke said, setting the wine down. “We’re obvious?”
“Very,” Stella confirmed. “Like, rom-com levels of obvious.”
“Rom-com?” Tyler asked.
“Romantic comedy. You know, where everyone knows they’re together except them?” Stella shrugged. “Classic trope.”
“When did you become an expert on romantic tropes?” Tyler asked.
“Netflix exists. Also, I have eyes.”
Meg returned to the stove, grateful for something to do with her hands. “For the record, we know we’re... something.”
“Something?” Stella’s eyebrows rose.
“We’re figuring it out,” Luke said easily.
“See? Rom-com.” Stella slid off the stool. “I’m gonna use the bathroom. Try not to have any dramatic revelations while I’m gone.”
After she left, Tyler looked between them. “So. You two. How long?”
“Since about five minutes after you left for Australia,” Luke admitted.
“Six weeks?” Tyler shook his head. “And neither of you thought to mention...?”
“You had bigger things going on,” Meg said, adding pasta to the boiling water. “And you weren’t exactly reachable. Or very forthcoming yourself.”
“Still. My best friend and my sister.” Tyler took a long pull of his beer. “I should probably have feelings about this.”
“Do you?” Luke asked.
“Honestly? I’m too tired to have feelings about anything except my daughter knowing what rom-com tropes are.” He paused. “But if you hurt her, I’ll have to do something brotherly and threatening.”
