Page 129 of The Beach Shack Summer
“Oh my God.” Stella turned to Tyler. “Dad, please tell me you’re photographing this.”
The Beach Shack went completely still.
Tyler froze mid-reach for his coffee. Meg’s mouth fell open. Even Bernie sat up straighter.
But Stella didn’t notice, already turning back to the phone. “Aunt Anna, is it just the one painting? How many coffee drinkers are there?”
“The Crab Cooker painting is iconic,” Anna said, recovering first, though her eyes were huge. “Local artist, local restaurant. And there are four diners, plus the server.”
“Cool,” Stella said, still oblivious to the bomb she’d dropped. “Dad thinks I should look at the art schools here while I’m visiting, but I don’t know. California’s pretty far from Sydney.”
Tyler made a sound like a stepped-on cat.
“Did you just—” Joey started.
“What?” Stella finally noticed everyone staring. “What’d I do?”
“You called him Dad,” Meg said softly.
Stella’s face went through several expressions—surprise, embarrassment, defiance—before settling on studied casualness. “So? He is, isn’t he?”
“Yeah,” Tyler managed, voice rough. “Yeah, I am.”
“Well then.” Stella turned back to the phone like nothing had happened. “So Joey has to sit there pretending to drink coffee. In front of hundreds of people. In makeup.”
“So much makeup,” Bea offered, clearly trying to help move past the moment. “They have to match the painting’s style.”
“Do they put it behind your ears?” Stella asked innocently.
Joey groaned. “How do you know about behind the ears?”
“I know things.” She grinned. “This is going to be amazing. Bernie, what are the odds Joey spills the prop coffee?”
“Not taking that bet,” Bernie said firmly, but then softer: “Some things aren’t for betting. That moment just now was one of them.”
Anna’s laugh bubbled through the phone. “Oh, I’ve missed you all so much. Stella, we are going to have so much fun at the festivals!”
“There’s also the Sawdust Festival,” Meg added, having found her voice again. “Local artists, handmade everything.”
“I used to sell friendship bracelets there,” Tyler said, his hand having somehow found Stella’s shoulder. “Made a fortune one summer.”
“You made jewelry?” Stella looked at him with new interest.
“Everyone in Laguna makes something,” Margo said, joining them. “It’s practically a requirement.”
“I make excellent napkin displays,” Joey offered.
“And soon you’ll make an excellent frozen coffee drinker,” Stella said. “Do you have to practice holding still?”
“I’ve been practicing for weeks! My friend times me!”
“Your friend’s very patient,” Bernie commented.
“We’ll be there Friday afternoon,” Anna said. “Our flight gets in around two. Meg, can you?—”
“I’ll pick you up,” Meg said immediately. “Luke and I can both come.”
“Ooh, Luke and Meg can both come,” Bea sing-songed. “Mom, you owe me ten euros.”
