Page 78 of Roses, Pearls, and Hot Summer Nights
I wasn’t fromthe Life. Maybe she hadn’t meant rich people, though. I needed to read more.
“Hey,” Barrett said with a grin as he approached with Jeremy. “There she is. You waiting for us?”
My heart clenched, squeezing on how much I cared about them. They were so kind, and I wasn’t even sure I deservedtheir careful regard. Still, I told them in six months I would be shipped somewhere. I couldn’t be their One.
I snorted because maybe that was exactly why they liked me, despite their protestations about my leaving.
Maybe I am safe because I won’t be permanent.
It was a lot to think about, but I wouldn’t spoil our afternoon by bringing it up. Dina wanted to give them her diaries as a gift, and they didn’t know I was reading them. I couldn’t tell them how I knew without telling them her secret, too.
For now, I would hold my tongue. If the time came, I would know it.
I took Barrett’s hand. “How are we getting wherever we are going?”
“My car.” He lit up like he was suddenly able to compete with the summer sun.
Jeremy laughed. “This is his baby.”
“It is. I restored it myself.” He tugged me against him. “And this is the only place I get to drive her. My father pays someone to start it for me when none of us are here. When they’re here without us, he does it. Anyway, I love this car.”
Jeremy took my free hand and squeezed. “You’ll remember this is the Lent that likes jazz clubs?”
Yes, while Jeremy hated them. “Oh? It’s vintage then?”
“Mercedes from 1970. I love it.” Barrett was so enthusiastic, he didn’t even look wary, just joyful. It was gorgeous on him, and I noticed the little muscle that ticked in the side of his jaw was still for once.
He was the oldest, so he kept their secrets the longest. I grinned at him, realizing I didn’t want to be another thing he had to worry about.
Barrett squeezed my fingers quickly before adding, “The twins don’t drive. They both could by now, but neither one of them got their license.”
Jeremy shoved him, which required him to reach behind me to do it. “We live in the City. There is no need for me to drive.”
“I also live here. There could be a need.” We reached the garage. “Our fathers drive.”
I caught the slip and sucked in a breath because it confirmed my thoughts.Their fathers. Plural. Yep.I didn’t say anything, instead deciding I would pretend I hadn’t heard it, since neither one of them seemed to notice. I might have missed it a million times so far and not noticed, I realized.
Seven gorgeous cars sat parked side by side in the very large and modern garage. I stared at the row of them in stunned silence for a moment, realizing the Lents really liked their cars.
“In the back, Jer.” Barrett patted his beautiful sky blue Mercedes, as slick and new looking as if it drove right out of a movie from the 1970s into his garage. “Alatheia is up front with me.”
Jeremy didn’t argue, climbing in the back. “If we took one of the other cars, we’d be there and back faster.”
Barrett grunted. “This is my car. You can stay here if you don’t like it.”
I slid into the front seat, letting my hand slide across the soft leather as I got inside. I might not be interested in shopping, but so far, I couldn’t complain about this part.
22
With the traffic, it didn’t seem to matter how fast Barrett’s car could drive, since we slogged our way along. We rode in companionable enough silence to East Hampton, but I couldn’t help but stare out the window at every passing sight. I felt like the main character in a movie, one far more worldly and sophisticated than the real me, off on an adventure. Somehow, despite seeing wealth for years, it still never quite seemed real to me. Trees lined the streets neatly, and I spotted a few farm stands and locals walking dogs. Everything appeared smooth, sun-dappled, and gentle. I didn’t know if I loved the Hamptons, but I adored the view from Barrett’s car.
“I’ve never driven a car,” I admitted as we pulled into a parking space.
He took my hand in his once the car stopped. “I’ll teach you, but not in this car. At least, not at first.”
Jeremy popped his head between us. “He wouldn’t want you to scratch his baby.”
“Not just that,” Barrett protested then rolled his eyes. “It’s hard to drive stick. We’ll teach you on an automatic first and then move to stick.”
