Page 19 of Hearts at Seaside
Chapter Six
JENNA BANGED ON Amy’s bedroom window. She had two bottles of Middle Sister wine in one arm and a roll of premade chocolate chip cookie dough in the front pocket of her hoodie. It was pitch-black in the development, as there were no streetlights, and Amy’s bedroom was on the side of her cottage. Jenna wasn’t tall enough to see in her window. She hung on Amy’s windowsill and called to her in a loud whisper.
“Ames! I need you!”
She heard Amy groan.
“Amy! Ames! Hurry! It’s cold out here.”
Amy’s face appeared in the window. Her blond hair was a tangled mess. They’d come back from the Beachcomber an hour and a half ago, and Jenna had tried to sleep, but every time she closed her eyes, she heard Pete’s promise.
“What’s wrong?”
“I can’t sleep.” Jenna bounced on her toes and held up a roll of cookie dough. “I brought goodies!”
Amy’s eyes widened. “Cookie dough? I’ll be right out, but I’m bringing my blanket.”
“Bring me one, too!”
Amy came outside in her flannel pajama pants and a hoodie with two blankets in her arms.
“Wanna get the girls?” Amy yawned.
“Yeah. Do you think it’s okay with Kurt and Caden?”
Amy shrugged. “When have they ever stopped us?” She grabbed Jenna’s arm and dragged her to Leanna’s window. “Give me a hand,” Amy whispered.
Jenna put the bottles and cookie dough on the ground and clasped her hands together so Amy could step in them and peek in the window. Amy tottered to the side.
“Whoa!”
“Shh,” Jenna chided. “Hang on to the windowsill.”
Pepper, Leanna’s dog, barked.
“Oh, no!” Jenna jumped back, sending Amy flat on her butt.
“Ow!” Amy rolled on top of Jenna and laughed.
“Pepper.” Kurt silenced the pup with one word. “Leanna, I think the girls need you.”
“Shoot, shoot, shoot.” Jenna covered her mouth. “We woke Kurt up!”
Kurt looked out the screen. “It’s okay. She’ll be out in a minute.”
Bella’s front door opened, and she came out in her nightie. “Jenna? Amy?” she whispered over her deck.
“Over here.” Amy waved.
“You’re going to wake Theresa!” Bella ran over in her bare feet, her arms crossed over her chest. She helped them up. Leanna joined them a minute later, wearing one of Kurt’s sweatshirts—and it looked like nothing else.
“What are you doing? It’s two in the morning,” Leanna said.
“Jenna couldn’t sleep,” Amy explained.
Jenna held up the cookie dough in one hand and the wine in the other. “I have goodies. Please, please, please don’t be mad.”
Leanna rolled her eyes. “Mad? Never. Where to?”
