Page 52 of A Novel Summer
“It’s true: you have the harder part of this bargain. And as soon as I can share the load, I’m there! But if it makes you feel better, after the babies arrive, I’ll stay off my feet for a few months just to even things out.”
People laughed again. “Seriously, though, to the love of my life, mother of my children, and current champion of our latest Scrabble tournament—Colleen.”
Shelby raised her glass. “To Colleen,” she echoed, part of the chorus around her.
Doug bent down to kiss Colleen, and she was radiant. Shelby thought about what he’d just said—that timing was everything in life. He was absolutely right.
The deck felt hot and crowded. She needed space. She needed to think. And with everyone busy pouring champagne and hovering around Colleen, it was easy for her to slip away unnoticed, back inside the apartment.
Shelby took refuge in the guest bathroom and locked the door. It was decorated with paper hand towels that matched the cocktail napkins outside, and a conch shell filled with small soaps wrapped in patterned paper. She stood in front of the sink and ran the water, avoiding her reflection in the mirror. Instead, she watched the water hit the steel drain stopper, a shallow pool forming. When she realized she was being wasteful, she turned off the faucet.
All this time. All this time, Hunter had feelings for Justin? Well, maybe not for him—not really. But feelingsabouthim, certainly. Shelby tried to remember that last summer together. Not a single moment came to mind that suggested she should have somehow known Hunter had been interested in him. If she had, would it have changed anything? Maybe. She might not have risked a friendship for a guy. Shelby had been deeply attracted to Justin, but at the same time, she’d known on some level that any summer relationship would have its limits. As Doug said, timing was everything. That summer, her priority had been her writing career. It still was.
Shelby faced herself in the mirror. Then she walked back to the party.
Thirty-Six
By evening, Shelby was able to put her personal—and her past—firmly in the background. She had a book event to host: Claudia’s new author was in town.
“This space looks even better than I imagined,” Mia said.
They stood next to one another on the beach behind Land’s End. Shelby agreed with her. They’d taken their decorating cues from Duke’s successful backyard event for Anders. They borrowed folding chairs from the Lombardos, and set plush beach blankets alongside the aisles for potential overflow. They strung red, white, and blue twinkling lights on the stairs behind the shop and arranged the signing table between the store and the audience. A refreshment table was set with bottles of wine, water, and a covered cheese and fruit tray.
“Having this space makes a big difference,” Mia said. “My brother really delivered.” The tone of her voice was incredulous.
“Does that surprise you?” Shelby said. It didn’t surprise her. Justin didn’t say something if he didn’t mean it. She’d known this early in their relationship. That was why when he’d said he could never live anywhere but Ptown, she believed him. As she’d meant it when she said she would be moving to New York City.
How could Hunter judge her so harshly?
Well, she wasn’t going to make things worse by being hard on herself. She had a lot going on, and she was managing to keep all the balls in the air, including running Land’s End and staying on track to meet her book deadline.
“Mia, no pressure, but have you read any of my manuscript? I’d love to hear your thoughts.”
Mia’s rubbed the back of her neck. “It’s getting hot out here. I’m going inside.”
Shelby tensed, certain now that Mia had read it and didn’t like it. She followed her back into the store. They both walked to the front counter, where Mia made herself busy checking the hold shelf.
“It’s okay if you don’t like it,” Shelby said. “I want to hear what’s not working so I can improve it. I didn’t give it to you for you to tell me how great it is, or anything like that.”
Mia shook her head, her dark curls falling into her face. Still, Shelby could see the flush that was creeping up her neck to her cheeks.
“I haven’t read it,” she said.
Shelby gave a wave. “Okay, don’t worry about it. Really. We’re all busy.”
“I want to read it. But I can’t,” Mia said.
“Oh. You mean... I don’t understand.”
“I can’t read.”
“Very funny. You’ve read more books than I have this summer.”
“I’velistenedto more books. Audiobooks.”
Shelby froze. The headphones. The constant headphones.
“I love stories,” Mia said quickly. “I like talking to readers. I like matching people with the right book. But...”
