Page 71 of Sweet Heat at Bayside
“Yes,” Rick said.
“We’ll need it after all thewedding gushingI’ll have to listen to,” Violet added.
Dean came outside carrying a tray of bowls. “How’s it going?” His hair was sticking up all over, he was shirtless, and he had a big red hickey on his shoulder.
Emery followed him out, looking flushed and carrying several boxes of cereal. “This is thelasttime we host,” she said a little breathlessly. She dropped the cereal boxes on the table, set her hands on her hips, and said, “Hosting breakfast iswaytoo much pressure.”
Drake squeezed Serena’s hand. “Maybe my girlfriend should give you a lesson in planning.” He still couldn’t believe she’d not only set up the store and their usual grand opening while living hundreds of miles away, but she’d managed to book one of the biggest rock stars around and had kept it a secret.
“Yeah, here’s a hint. Don’t give up sex to feed other people.” Serena looked around nervously. “Oh geez. For a second I forgot Matt and Mira were taking Hagen to the go-karts today. She has given me strict orders never to talk about our sex life around her.”
They all laughed and began pouring cereal into their bowls.
“Why don’t you two go finish your naughtiness and get cleaned up,” Violet said to Emery and Dean, who were standing at the other end of the table, kissing and whispering. As they disappeared into the house, Violet turned her attention to Serena. “What you did for Drake was beyond killer. I’m sorry you missed it.”
“You’ve been there for everything big in his life,” Rick said. “It stinks that you couldn’t be there.”
“Tell me about it.” Serena poured milk into her cereal and pushed it around in her bowl. “But what really matters is thathegot to experience it. Thanks again for all your help, for keeping the secret, and for all the pictures and the video. It wouldn’t have gone over so well without your help.”
“Listen, what’s a small-town girl to do when things get tough and you’re working hard to get your fill. Don’t stop believin’, right?” Rick chuckled.
“Absolutely,” Violet said. “You’ve got to hold on to that feeling.”
“Otherwise it just goes on and on,” Desiree chimed in with a pleased-with-herself sparkle in her eyes.
Drake laughed. “All right. I get it.”
Serena belted out the chorus to “Don’t Stop Believin’,” and they all joined in. Drake scrubbed a hand down his face, trying to hide his amusement. He was so in love with her, and every playful thing she did made him fall even harder.
Desiree rushed over and pushed a napkin in front of Drake, fluttering her lashes, and spoke in the breathy voice of a teenager. “Can I get your autograph, Mr. Rock Star?”
“You guys are fools,” Drake said goodheartedly.
Desiree hugged him. “Fools who love you,bestsoon-to-be-brother-in-law in the world.” She went around the table hugging each of them. When she got to Violet, Violet rolled her eyes. “One day you’re going to be the hugger and I’ll be the huggee.”
“Don’t hold your breath. It’s going to take a long time for me to get over you bringing Mom out for your wedding.” Violet shoved a spoonful of cereal into her mouth.
“You heard back from her?” Serena asked. “She’s coming?”
Desiree gave her a deadpan look. “Just because she sent a postcard that said she’d be there doesn’t mean she won’t forget by the date of the wedding. I’m not getting my hopes up.” Their mother, Lizza Vancroft, was as flighty as a seagull.
“I really hope she comes,” Serena said. “Mostly because it means she’s still making an effort. You deserve that, Des. But also because it’ll be fun to see Violet get all edgy and uncomfortable when she can’t take part in any shenanigans.”
Violet scoffed. “Lizza is thequeenof shenanigans. Where do you think I learned it?”
“Well, people can change,” Serena said. “Remember, don’teverstop believing…”
Everyone burst into song, and Drake couldn’t help but join in, too.
After Drake was called a teen heartthrob far too many times, he and Serena went to the Wellfleet Flea Market to see Leanna so Serena could thank her for lending them her van. Leanna made Luscious Leanna’s Sweet Treats jams and sold them at the flea market and in restaurants and stores. The flea market was held in the parking lot of the drive-in theater, hosting vendors from all over, selling antiques, clothing, jewelry, video games, and just about everything else under the sun.
They walked hand in hand through rows of white vendor tents. It was a scorcher of an afternoon. The type of blistering heat that radiated off the pavement and reeked with humidity. If Serena didn’t have to leave soon, he’d take her out on the boat for the day, make love to her in the afternoon sun, and dip in the water to cool off.One day soon…
Serena stopped to look at a pair of earrings. “Chloe’s birthday is coming up. She loves opals.”
Drake just loved watching her do anything, which was seriously ridiculous, but as true as anything had ever been. He looked over the necklaces and found a pretty opal. “How about this with those earrings? From both of us?”
“You have good taste, rock star. But then again, you’re with me, so…” She glanced up at him and said, “We already knew how good your taste was.”
