Page 56 of A Novel Summer
The beach behind the party house was pebbly and framed with untamed shrubs. Hunter wished they had a blanket or something to keep the sand off her favorite Mother jeans.
The sunset was a vivid mural of pink and gold. Beside her, Anders uncorked their second bottle of champagne. From their spot on the sand, they were near enough to the party that they could still faintly hear the music, and every once in a while another guest or two would pass by and they’d say hello. But the people always moved on, leaving Hunter and Anders alone.
“What are you thinking?” he said, his words sliding together in a way that suggested they should maybe slow down on the champagne.
“I’m not sure I should tell you,” she said, smiling.
“Why not? We’re friends, right? Please...speak freely.” He gestured expansively with both hands.
“I was just thinking that it’s not fair. You’re a brilliant writerandextremely hot.”
He didn’t respond, and for a few seconds she thought she’d weirded him out. But then he leaned forward and kissed her. She’d never hooked up with someone ten years older, and she’d never been with anyone famous.
Anders pulled back. “I’m sorry,” he said, a little breathless.
“Don’t be,” she said. She leaned in and kissed him, and he put his hand gently on the back of her neck before stopping again. “What’s wrong?”
“We’re still on the beach, you know.”
Hunter was confused. “Yeah, of course I know.”
He laughed. “Well, okay. I must be getting old because I prefer this sort of thing to be a bit more discreet.”
“So let’s go to your place,” Hunter said.
He hesitated. “You’re in my class.”
She smiled. “I’ve been meaning to drop it.”
He nodded. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Are you?”
“No,” he said, kissing her again before standing up and holding out his hand. “Not at all.”
The book party showed no signs of disbanding until Pam and Annie said their goodbyes. Then everyone realized it was getting dark and headed to MacMillan Pier as one big group.
The air smelled sweet, like cotton candy and salt and beer. Or maybe it was Shelby’s clothes. The street was electric, full of people young and old decked out in Independence Day red, white, and blue. Some had painted faces, some wore costumes, and everyone streamed towards the dock.
When they reached the pier, it was so crowded that the group had to break apart. Shelby ended up with Mia, Duke, and Justin. They all chatted comfortably until Mia left to meet up with her friends. Then Max found Duke and they wandered off.
When it was just the two of them left, Justin checked his phone. She did the same, wondering what was taking Anders so long.
“Is Kate around this weekend?” she said.
“Yeah. She’s supposed to meet me,” he said. “I’m actually surprised she’s not here yet.” He looked around.
“I’m sure she’ll be here soon,” she said, realizing immediately it was an absurd thing for her to say. How could she possibly be sure of that?
A spot opened on the nearest bench, and Justin moved quickly to claim it, waving her over. “Plenty of space,” he said, gesturing to the few inches on the edge of the bench. She hesitated for a second, but then didn’t want it to seem like she was uncomfortable sitting next to him.
But when their thighs touched, Shelby felt the contact ripple through her body. She inched away just shy of slipping off the bench. She sent a text to Anders to check in.
He messaged her back:I don’t think I can get away from the party. Networking, all that. Enjoy your eve and let’s connect tomorrow.
“Great turnout tonight,” Justin said. “At Land’s End, I mean.”
She looked up. “Yes,” she said. “It was.” She glanced over at him. A lock of hair fell across his forehead from the breeze, and she had the urge to reach out and brush it back. He caught her gaze, and stared back.
