The beach goddesses are after the hottest guy on the shore…but is he hot for Summer?
By Lisa Scott
I heard Kim before I could see her. She was outside, talking about her party again; the one that was going to be the event of the season. The event! It was going to be a beach party for the ages. “We just have to get Michael Sullivan to come. Can you imagine? An actor and an NBA player coming!” she said.
The worst part about working at Scoopy’s Diner wasn’t the bright green uniform, or the smell of grease that clung to my hair, or even the minimum-wage pay. It was walking to my car past Kim and her gaggle of gal pals lounging in her front yard before they made the big move down to the beach for the day. They needed a few cocktails before attempting that, and Kim had the biggest yard, complete with pool, deck, and hot tub. Their party launch pad, if you will.
I’d been expecting a quiet summer staying at my friend’s beach house while she was in Europe. Instead, I got a daily showdown with the beach bitches who didn’t appreciate “someone like me” in their neighborhood. Although, they didn’t come right out and say so. They were far too classy for that. They just never invited me to join them, questioned where I’d gotten that interesting bathing suit—K-Mart? And repeatedly asked when I’d be going back home.
I didn’t bother informing them that I was recently laid off from the university’s HR department after a downsize. I let them think what they wanted: that I was pulling a Kato Kaelin, without the party lifestyle, of course.
I grinned at them and gave a big wave, ‘cause that’s the kind of girl I am.
Kim looked up from her book. “Don’t work too hard, Summer.” When I’d first arrived a month ago, Kim had proudly informed me she’d never worked a day in her life. Now that she was a divorcee who’d gotten the beach house in the settlement and more money than I’d make in a lifetime—or so she’d told me—she could continue not working.
“Oh, Scoopy’s isn’t like work at all,” I told her. “It’s fun.”
“Fun?” Nia snorted. Her husband came down every other weekend and that gave her plenty of time to flirt and snort. It was the most obnoxious laugh I’d ever heard—and she did it all the time. “Right. That’s how I want to spend my summer. In a hot, dumpy diner.” Snort. “Let me know when a position opens up.”
“Sure thing,” I said, sweet as the cranberry pie we served—which was tart enough to bring tears to your eyes. Just one of our quirky offerings the tourists loved. Or used to love, anyway. Things had been quiet lately.
“We’ll be at the beach when you get back,” Sarah said, in case I hadn’t noticed they did the same thing every day. The beach was prime hunting ground, and the group was determined to find her a suitable boyfriend before the summer was over. The poor thing might have to put her college degree to use if she didn’t find a hubby. Daddy was supporting her bellini-sipping beach days for now.
They had their sights set on basketball player Jason Henry. Apparently, he’d bought a place just down the road two years ago. He was due any day, and they were busy planning the bash of the summer to lure him over. Rumor had it he was hot. Not that I would know. Basketball was about as appealing to me as a dental checkup.
Beth waved at me. I probably could be friends with her if not for the posse. She was taking the summer off to find herself. Her job as public relations director for a non-profit hadn’t been what she’d hoped. Luckily, her folks had a place to crash on the Cape while she sorted things out. It was amazing the information I gleaned from these girls just walking to and from my car each day.
“Have a good day,” Beth called to me.
“I always do.” Or, at least I tried to. I hopped in my car and drove down the narrow street. Like the plot from some direct-to-video movie, I’d lost my job and my guy in the same month back in May. My position at the college went to my ex’s new girlfriend—and old friend of mine from work—and Vince kept our apartment, since I’d moved in with him. My friend, Wendy, insisted I stay at her place on the Cape for a much-needed summer break and to figure out what was next. Shockingly, I hadn’t turned to alcohol. I’d drowned my sorrows in Scoopy’s glazed donuts instead, and my thighs were showing it.
It was only a five-minute drive to Scoopy’s and some days I even walked there, but usually I was running late. I worked ten to four, Monday through Friday, just like I had when I was sixteen and spent the summer down here with Wendy. Her folks had thought it was good for us to work—we were probably driving them crazy—but it turned out to be a blast. I met my first summer fling there, saved $500, and met Dell, the closest person to a Grandmother I’d ever had. That’s why I’d come begging her for a job, even though I didn’t need one. It was her I needed, really. It was a safe, soft landing spot for now.
I pushed open the old wooden door at the front of the diner, and walked in. The place was empty save for Dell clearing off a table and Carl in the back washing dishes.
“Hi, darlin’,” Dell said, scooting over to me. She’d been raised in the South, but lived on the Cape for twenty years and had an accent that combined the two. New England twang, I liked to call it, with her laugh that nearly rattled the windows.
“Hi, Dell. Think I’m going to work on a new batch of ice cream while it’s quiet. Supposed to be hot today, I’m sure we’ll be busy later.”
Dell frowned. “I hope so. I totaled up last month’s receipts. We’re down thirty percent from last year, and now that The Shoreside has opened, I’m worried.”
I sighed. “We’ll think of something.” But what? Dell didn’t have any extra money for renovating the old place, even though it desperately needed it. An entirely new menu would be nice, but forget that. “I’m going to try a few new ice cream flavors.” I shrugged. People did like our ice cream. The rotating cone on top of the building had been there for years. Everyone knew Scoopy’s; they just forgot to keep coming. Some new ice cream varieties might bring back some of the locals who probably figured they had tried everything we had to offer.
In the kitchen, I found a basket of blueberries and one of cranberries. “I’ll make a blueberry-cranberry sweet and tart ice cream.”
“I did something like that twelve years ago,” Dell said.
“Then it’s time to bring it back for a guest appearance.” I got to work, pulling out the tools and ingredients I needed, wishing I could come up with something that would get people talking. Something everyone had to stop by and try. I didn’t think blueberry-cranberry ice cream would do it, but I’d figure something out.
When lunch didn’t bring the rush we were hoping for, Dell told me I could go home early, if I wanted. I figured she was hoping to save on my salary.
I was about to leave when the bells chimed on the door and someone walked in. Well, not someone. A guy. An incredibly gorgeous, tall man, with head-to-toe muscles. I wanted to tell him the model convention must be somewhere else, since I’d never seen someone like him in here, but I sank onto a stool at the counter instead. “Can I help you?” ‘Cause I can think of a few ways you could help me…
“I’m just stopping in for an ice cream. I used to come here as a kid. Do you still have Maple Walnut?”
“Yes, we do.” I stood up and smoothed my apron, trying to remember how horrible the green uniform made my complexion look. Since I wasn’t looking my best, I’d have to rely on my oozing charm with this guy. He certainly seemed a few leagues away from me, but he had a friendly smile that put me at ease.
He rubbed his hands together. “Excellent. Every summer when I come down to the Cape I make sure to get two things: Scoopy’s ice cream and clams casino.”
I walked behind the ice cream cooler and laughed. “Not at the same time, I hope.”
“No, but it probably wouldn’t be bad, having my two favorite things at once.”
Wouldn’t it be nice to be one of his favorite things, I thought. “Just one cone, or is someone out in the car?” I asked, the mistress of subtlety.
“Just me. I’m down here for the next two weeks and I’ll probably be in here a lot.”
I looked up at him. “Good.” That came out a little breathier than I’d meant it to. I scooped the ice cream onto the cone, handed it to him, and dished up a scoop of the cran-blueberry ice cream I’d made earlier. “Here’s a happy vacation gift.” I handed him the dish. “Just made it today.”
“What are you trying to do to my girlish figure?” he asked with a laugh. But that didn’t stop him from trying it. “Hey, that’s really good. I’ll be back for more of that tomorrow…” He looked at my nametag and smiled. “Summer. Save me a few scoops.” He pointed his spoon at me.
“I sure will…” I let the word hang there, hoping he’d give me his name.
“I’m Jay. And if you’ve got any clams casino, I’ll be taking an order of those, too.”
“Sounds like a perfect Tuesday special, Jay. I’ll be sure to whip some up.” After I look up the recipe and buy the ingredients… I’d never made the darn things.
He winked at me. “Thanks.” He headed for the door and looked over his shoulder before he left, checking me out.
I plopped back down in my chair and started fanning myself. “Dell, get some ice! I just saw the hottest guy ever and I’m combusting.”
Dell popped out of the kitchen. “Listen to you! It’s like you’re sixteen again.”
“I know. I wish I were. I’d do a lot of things differently.” I sighed. “I’m going to take up your offer to head home early. Mind if I work up a few ideas to make some changes around here?”
Dell set her hand on my shoulder. “I’m willing to try anything. I’m getting mighty concerned, darlin’.”
I drove home, and sure enough, the girls had left Kim’s yard and hit the beach. I kicked off my shoes, grabbed an iced tea and my paperback, and sat on the Adirondack chair that looked out over the ocean. The house was across the street from the beach, but it still was a nice view.
An hour later, I heard the bustle and laughter of the girls coming back from the beach. I sighed, not really wanting to talk to them, and gathered up my things to go inside, when I spotted the hottie from the diner walking with them.
I swore under my breath. Did he belong to one of them? If not, he was surely going to be scooped up faster than a mint chip cone. Snippets of their conversation drifted my way as I stood on the porch.
“So anyway, Jason, we’re having a huge party this Saturday. Promise you’ll come?” Kim said.
“You’re so lucky we bumped into you so we could invite you.” Nia snorted.
Yeah, that’ll impress him.
He scratched his head. “Um, sure. That sounds fun. This Saturday.” He was headed down the road when he spotted me and smiled. “Summer!”
“Hey, Jay,” I called, waving.
The girls stopped in their tracks, jaws dropped. Until Sarah piped up. “His name’s Jason. Jason Henry from the Celtics?”
He looked back at her. “Yeah, but my friends call me Jay.”
Score one for the outcast on the porch. I had to bite my lip to hold back a Cheshire cat grin.
Nia jutted out her hip. “How do you two know each other?”
He winked at me. “We go way back. Are you coming to the party, Summer?”
“Uh, well…” I stammered, not wanting to explain that the cool girls who summer on the Cape hadn’t invited me.
Kim piped up. “We’ve actually got a pretty big guest list.” She shrugged. “Sorry, Summer.”
Jay shrugged, looped his towel around his neck and walked down the street. Then he looked back with that smile of his. “See you tomorrow, Summer.”
A girl could get used to that flirty over the shoulder move. I flapped my hand. “Bye, Jay.”
And while I really wanted to see their outraged looks, that someone like me knew someone like him, I waltzed into the house instead, and fell onto the couch, stifling my laughter with a lighthouse-shaped pillow.
But then it was time for dinner and more serious matters. Like how to help Dell. I sat at the kitchen table with a pen and pad, and started doodling as I ran ideas through my head. Dell had let some local businessman stock bright orange party hats in her store. Clever idea, the Port-A-Party, and they were selling well.
I wrote down my first idea: “Install shelves behind register to stock more gift items.”
I tapped my pen on the table, staring out at the marsh behind the house. A giant heron flew up out of the reeds. I wished my camera were nearby, it would have made a great photo. I snapped my fingers and wrote: “Feature local artist’s work, hold art show.”
Then the ideas started rolling in. I’d paint the picnic tables with fun, nautical themes. The boring wooden door would get a new coat of green. And we’d be featuring a new ice cream flavor each Monday, available that week only. I couldn’t wait to tell Dell all about it the next day.
It was eight o’clock, and the sun was starting to set—my favorite part of the day. I grabbed a sweater and headed to the beach for my nightly walk.
Kim’s house was quiet; they must’ve gone out to dinner, I thought. I kicked off my shoes and left them by the wooden boardwalk that led from the road to the beach. The dune grass grazed my legs and I plucked a bright pink rose growing along the path. I tucked it behind my ear and headed for the shoreline.
I saw a familiar figure jogging my way. “Working off that ice cream?” I called.
He stopped running, and walked up to me, not even winded. “I’m building up a calorie deficit for those clams casino tomorrow.”
Right. Do not forget to stop at the fish market early.
“I didn’t realize you’re a basketball player. I wouldn’t have guessed it.”
He cocked his head. “Why’s that?”
“You’re not basketball-player tall. You couldn’t converse with the giraffes or anything, is all.”
Laughing, he gave me a look. “Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”
“I’m just surprised. I thought you had to be ridiculously tall to be a basketball player. You’re just moderately tall. Not that I’ve ever met any basketball players before.” Sometimes, a girl should just shut up and smile. But, I’d never put much stock in that idea.
“I’m six foot four. Tall enough for a guard.”
And not too tall that I wouldn’t be able to reach him for a kiss, that’s what I’d been thinking.
“Did you eat dinner yet?” he asked. “We moderately tall guys get hungry often.”
I looped my hands behind me. “No, I was busy sketching out some ideas for the diner. Things have slowed down a bit, and I want to help turn things around for Dell.”
“I was headed to The Shore side after my run. Want to join me?”
“Sure, I’m starving and I’ve got nothing in the house.” Plus, I could check out the competition.
“Let me shower and I’ll pick you up at your place in half an hour.”
“Sounds good.” I thought about dashing home to get fixed up, but being something other than me for a guy? Those days were over. I’d been exactly what I thought Vince wanted, and look how that’d turned out.
So, I went home, brushed my hair, slipped into sandals, and grabbed my purse right before Jay showed up. He was wearing jeans and a gauzy white shirt and looked even hotter fresh out of the shower.
Yikes. I sucked in a breath.
“Are you ready?” he asked.
I held up my hands and shrugged. “What you see is what you get.”
His eyes swept over me and he smiled. “Good.” He led me to a gorgeous little white corvette just as Kim and crew pulled up in her Navigator. I ignored them but Jay waved as we drove off.
“They’re really going to hate me now.”
“Why?”
“You’re the highlight of the season and they want you all to themselves.”
He laughed. “You’re not friends with them?”
“They haven’t exactly invited me into their group.” I shrugged. “That’s fine. But I really don’t think I’ll be going to that party. I’m seriously not welcome.”
“So, you’re just going to let me go alone and feed me to the wolves?”
Ah, so that was it. I was good cover for him. A buffer from the babes he didn’t want to deal with. Well, I could handle that. Having a hot, funny friend would be cool, especially knowing how outraged the girls would be.
I reached over and patted his leg. “From the looks of you, I think you can handle four skinny women. I think you’ll do just fine at the party.”
Frowning, he pulled into the parking lot.
Dinner was great, and we had fun talking about childhood memories at the beach. He preferred beach football to my favorite, beach volleyball, but we both loved flying kites when we were little.
“I haven’t done that in years,” I said, walking out of the restaurant. Then my eyes went wide. “That would be an awesome thing for Scoopy’s! Go-Fly-a-Kite Fridays! Scoopy’s has a huge parking lot; there’s lots of open space. People could bring kites to fly and get half off an ice cream.” I actually twirled around just thinking about it.
Jay caught me in his arms, and my vision spun. I giggled as he held me.
“That could work,” Jay said. “Why not start it this week? I’ll be there. And you can even let that be known.” He nodded at me.
“Seriously? You’d let us advertise that super-awesome, moderately-tall Celtics guard Jason Henry is going to be flying kites at Scoopy’s?”
“Can’t have my favorite ice cream joint closing.”
I wrapped my arms around him and squeezed without realizing what I was doing. I felt his hands on my back, but I quickly stepped away. I didn’t want to scare him off, making him think I was just another groupie. Especially not if he was going to help Dell and the diner. “Thanks,” I said, shyly. “That’d be great.”
***
I picked up the ingredients for the clams casino, and got to the diner early. I told Dell about my plans as I chopped up the clams.
“It all sounds wonderful! I’m going to leave it all to you darlin’. You just let me know how much all this is going to cost.” She patted my shoulder with her soft hand.
“Practically nothing! Just some paint, and the cost of flyers, really. Less than a hundred dollars, for sure.”
I made twelve dozen clams casino, and had some of the filling left over, but not enough shells. I racked my brain, trying to figure out what to do with it. Then I started chuckling to myself. I couldn’t, could I? It would surprise the heck out of Jay, that’s for sure.
I checked my watch to be sure I had enough time and got to work on the first official Scoopy’s Kooky Ice Cream Flavor.
Jay showed up at twelve-thirty, looking for his Clams Casino.
“I set aside an order for you. We sold out at lunchtime like that.” I snapped my fingers.
He sat down at the counter. “Well, bring ‘em on over, woman. What’s the wait?”
I rolled my eyes, and dished up a platter of the clams along with a lemon and some French fries. “Bon appetit, and save some room for dessert. I’ve got something special just for you.” I winked at him, and he widened his eyes.
I scurried away, blushing and realizing that must have sounded like the lamest line ever. But I figured he’d forgive me when he saw what I’d made.
After he gushed over the Clams Casino and insisted we make it a permanent item on the menu, he pushed away his plate. “Now what about that dessert?” He waggled his eyebrows and I snapped my dishtowel at him.
“Be nice or you won’t get any.” Good Lord, that sounded sassy too. Couldn’t help it around him, I guess. I scooped out a dish of ice cream, and sprinkled a bit of parsley and buttered breadcrumbs on top. I set it in front of him and smiled. “Voila! The world’s first Clams Casino ice cream.”
He laughed. “You’re kidding, right?”
“Nope. Wanted to give you your two favorite things at once.” Oh, I was so, so pleased with myself.
He stared at me for a moment, then shook his head. “Wow. I can’t believe you did this.”
I shrugged. “You’re helping us out this Friday.”
He took a spoonful of ice cream, looked at it, then shrugged. Sliding it into his mouth, he closed his eyes. They popped open. “It’s actually really good. Seriously. People would come here just to try this.” He poked his spoon in, digging more out of the bowl.
Planting my elbows on the counter, I leaned toward him. “You think? I was going to offer it as this week’s joke ice cream, but you might be right.”
“You guys are going to have to hire more help soon.”
“I’ll tell the girls across the street.”
He laughed and finished his ice cream, then asked for another dish.
Once the lunch crowd cleared out, I brought my painting supplies out to the picnic tables.
“Need some help?” Jay asked.
“If you want. I figured jazzing these up a bit might help. You paint three of these yellow, I’ll paint the others pale blue. Then I’ll embellish them with designs tomorrow.”
It started out innocently enough, but soon we were chasing each other with the paintbrushes, and he had a big splotch of blue in his hair, while my neck was now bright yellow. “I seem to remember doing something like this when I was ten.”
He narrowed his eyes and walked toward me. “You’ve got a little…” He brushed his thumb along my cheekbone, and then dabbed my nose with paint.
Shrieking with outrage, I tried to grab my paintbrush to get him back, but he held on to my arms. Turns out, basketball players have really big, strong hands. It’s a pity he’s only using them on my arms, I thought. I looked up into his devilish brown eyes and got caught in a stare.
“Let me go,” I said, breathless, from giggling.
“I don’t know if I trust you.”He held me tighter and pulled me closer.
My early-dating instincts were rusty, but I thought this would be the right time for a kiss. However, Dell thought it was the right time to come out and check on our work.
“Lordy, look at the two of you. Stay out of my diner with all that paint on you. It’s a wonder you got the tables done.” Her eyes twinkled as she scolded us.
“Sorry, Dell. I won’t come in. I’m going home to work on the flyers.”
“Thanks, doll. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She went back inside, shaking her head.
I looked down at myself. “Ugh, I’m a perfect mess thanks to you.”
He took my elbow in his hand. “You’re right. It’s all my fault. So, let me clean up the mess I made,” he said, raising a thick black eyebrow. “I’ve got an outdoor shower; we can wash off there.”
My dating instincts were humming again, but I couldn’t trust them. I seriously doubted an NBA star was interested in me, not with a beach full of beautiful babes who made it a second job to look perfect. I knew my limitations: B-cups that longed to be Cs, legs that appeared to come from peasant stock, and solid, child-bearing hips. A more conscientious woman would also schedule a bi-monthly eyebrow wax.
Jay stared at me, waiting for an answer. “Shower. Um, sure. Good idea.”
I followed him to his place, and was surprised it wasn’t one of the big new mega-mansions that had sprung up around the old weatherworn cottages. It overlooked the ocean, but it was on the smaller side. “This is cute,” I told him, as he led me into the side yard.
He grinned. “Good, I was going for cute.”
I slugged him in the arm, and it hurt my hand. The man packed some serious muscles. “You know what I mean. Quaint, nice, lovely. Pick your adjective.”
“It’s really just a getaway for me. I wasn’t planning on having big bashes like your buddies across the street.”
I rolled my eyes.
“My parents would bring me down to the Cape for a week every summer. We stayed with friends; we couldn’t afford more than that. I always wanted to buy a place for them some day, but they passed on a few years back.”
I reached for his arm. “I’m sorry. I hope being down here brings good memories at least.”
He smiled. “It does. Some new memories, too.” He walked over to the shower, pulled off his shirt and turned on the water.
Whoa. And now I was forming some very nice memories. Good golly, I thought, grateful his eyes were closed under the blast of water.
After shampooing his hair and rinsing off, he crooked his finger at me. “Your turn.”
His eyes widened as I unzipped the back of my green dress. “Don’t get excited, I usually wear my bathing suit underneath so I can go for a swim after work.”
He snapped his fingers. “Damn. And here I thought the day was going to get interesting.”
Oh, it’s been interesting for a while. I let the dress drop to the ground and turned on the shower. He handed me the bottle of shampoo and turned on the water. I lathered up, wondering what he thought while looking at my abs. Flat, but nothing too impressive. Curves, but nothing kickin’. And those thighs that were a practical joke from some relative far back on the family tree.
“You missed a bit.” He grazed his finger on my neck, and I turned around to face the shower.
“What’s this?” he asked, sliding his finger down my spine.
“It’s supposed to look like a butterfly.” I’d had it done when I graduated from college. It took up the space between my shoulder blades. Kim and her friends had been duly shocked when they saw it. They’d never tarnish their skin with such graffiti, that was for sure. I liked it. It was like my own personal artwork. But I wasn’t sure what Jay would think.
However, when I felt his lips on the back of my neck and his hands on my waist, I figured he was okay with it.
I caught my breath and turned to him. Before I could say anything, his lips were on mine, and my hormones took over, kissing him back, because who wouldn’t? But as his hands worked their way further south, I stepped back, breaking our kiss.
“I’m sorry, I’m not a friends-with-benefits kind of girl.”
He ran his hand through his dark, wet hair. “What if I want to be more than friends?”
I put my hand on my hip and gave him a look. “You’re down here for two weeks. Then it’s off to our separate worlds where I work at a dumpy diner, and you save the day. “More than that” isn’t even a possibility.” I knew I couldn’t handle back-to-back heartbreaks, and whose heart wouldn’t be broken after a whirl with Jay?
He held up his hands. “No, I get it. I’m sorry. You’re not that kind of girl. I just…” He shook his head.
You just what? What!?
His eyes still looked hopeful. “Who says it has to end here? I live up in Foxboro, year-round. What about you?”
Shaking my head I let out a little laugh. “After this summer, I’m not sure where I’m living.” I told him the story about Vince and my job. “I’m in the middle of major transitions on all fronts. Not the best time to be starting a relationship.”
He nodded. “I understand. I hope you figure things out. But if you change your mind…” He lifted an eyebrow.
I shook my head. “And besides, I’ve got flyers to make. We’ve got a big celebrity coming to the diner Friday to save the day.”
“I hope you plan on paying him in ice cream.”
I was glad we were back to our friendly ways. I liked him too much to ruin everything with a quick fling. Besides, he was helping Dell, and that was the most important thing.
He dried off with a towel and hung it over his deck.
Seriously, I was turning him down? asked a little devil on my shoulder. I shooed her away. “Hey, I know four girls who would be more than happy to keep you company.”
“No thanks. I’ll stick with my friend.”
My throat felt tight, but I managed a grin. “You’re just after my ice cream.”
He laughed. “Maybe.”
***
I printed fliers advertising for our new Go-Fly-A-Kite Fridays, that Jason Henry would be joining in the fun, and visitors could try his new Scoopy’s Kooky Ice Cream Flavor. Jay helped me pass out fliers on the beach and tack them to telephone poles. We stopped back at my place, and the girls were lounging in Kim’s yard. Shocker.
“Hi, Jay!” Sarah called. She popped up from her chair and waved.
He waved back, and that was invitation enough for Kim to scamper over, grab him by the hand and drag him to their party palace.
He looked back at me. “I’ll stop by tomorrow and help finish the tables. As long as you promise not to paint me again.”
“You started it.”
He laughed. “You’re right.”
Then Kim and her friends pounced. I went inside to read a book. I couldn’t see them, but I could still hear their chattering. I think they liked to be loud to be sure everyone within earshot would be convinced that no one could possibly be having as much fun as they were.
“So, you’re not dating anyone, are you Jay?” Sarah asked.
They’d all started calling him Jay now that they knew his friends called him that instead of Jason.
“You’re certainly not dating her are you?” Nia asked, before he could answer.
“I like hanging out with Summer. She’s fun.”
“Well, you’re going to meet tons of great girls at my party. It starts at six, but why don’t you get here earlier?” Kim asked.
Then Beth chimed in. “What are you doing the rest of the week?”
“Actually, you guys could join me for a promotional event I’m doing. Kite flying on Friday.”
Kim clapped. “Ooh, fun. I love kites. We’ll be there, girls, won’t we?”
That was followed by a chorus of yeses. “Where is it, Jay?”
“Scoopy’s, at noon.”
Silence. “You mean that diner? Where she works?”
“Yeah, it’s gonna be great. See you there.”
Oh, I could kiss him again for that. I could kiss him again for no reason at all. But I wouldn’t. Not when everything in my life was up in the air.
***
The next day, Jay stopped by for lunch again, and we detailed the picnic tables, painting shells and starfish on the tables. Jay painted basketballs but I made him turn them into crabs since we were going for a nautical theme. And that turned into another paint fight. And that led to another shower outside at his place.
And another kiss. But this time, we ended up inside on his couch for an even hotter kiss. I wriggled out of his embrace before things turned scorching. “Okay, that was…” I sucked in a breath and held up my hand. “Incredible. But, we’re not going to do that again.”
He crossed his arms and shook his head. “No, no. Of course not. Somehow, I totally forgot what you said yesterday.” He twined his finger round a lock of my hair and tugged me back toward him.
Oh, just one more kiss won’t hurt. “Yeah, me, too.”
***
I spent the next day making batches of Clams Casino ice cream and posted an ad on Craigslist, looking for local artists and crafters. Dell was so excited and hopeful about the plans. I worried I was getting her hopes up for nothing. Please work, I thought.
Jay met me at the diner when my shift ended. “Let’s go hit the beach. You deserve a break. Got your bathing suit on under there?”
“You know it.” I followed him down to the beach, and we set up our chairs and umbrella not far from Kim and her pals.
I wondered if he’d done that to send them another message—I’ve found my vacation fling. Even though it wasn’t true. But it was a good excuse to keep them away. I didn’t mind helping out. I’m nice like that.
I could feel the glares from Kim and her group. I closed my eyes and hoped they’d pack up and go back to her place. No such luck. Kim walked over with a drink.
“You know, you can invite some of your friends to the party if you want,” she said, stirring her drink with her finger. “It’s going to be super fun.”
He looked up at her, shading his eyes. “That’s good to know. I’ll keep it in mind.”
“It’s going to be the party of the summer. My parties always are.” She walked away and looked at him over her shoulder, which was incredibly annoying, because that was the move he used on me.
I hoped the growl in my throat wasn’t audible. Even though we could use all the business we could get, I really hoped the girls didn’t show up at Scoopy’s.
***
But they did show up, in carefully coordinated, designer outfits meant to look playful and fun, yet casual like they were in a magazine ad. But I didn’t have time to worry about them, not even when they surrounded Jay, begging for help with their kites, professing total ignorance of the sport.
I watched them through the front window while I scooped ice cream. We were quickly running out of Clams Casino ice cream. Everyone was trying it, with mixed reactions of course. And everyone wanted to know what next week’s Scoopy’s Kooky flavor would be.
Improvising, I announced, “Lobster with butter.”
Eyes widened at that and a few folks giggled, but I also heard promises to come back. Flyers disappeared for the art show, and we even sold out of all those party hats we had in stock.
Jay finished signing autographs around four, and the crowd died down. Dell was in the back kitchen adding up the day’s receipts.
I wandered back, wiping my hands on my apron. “How’d we do?”
Her glistening eyes gave me my answer. “We made as much today as we did all last week. I can’t thank you enough.”
I ran over and hugged her. “This is the start of new things, I just know it.”
She raised an eyebrow. “For you, too. You must mean something to that Jason for him to do this.”
I waved off the idea. “No, it’s not like that. He’s just a nice guy who likes to help out. And he likes your diner, not me.” Well, he liked fooling around with me, but he didn’t like me. God, I sounded like I was talking about Finn Donahue back in high school.
“Oh, and we need to order some lobsters. We’re serving lobster and butter ice cream next week.”
Dell’s eyes widened and she pressed her hand against her mouth to cover her laugh. “My word. That’s the craziest thing I’ve ever heard.” She shrugged. “I’ll get some for you tomorrow.” Then she pulled me into a hug. “I don’t know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t shown up this summer.”
Me neither. “It’s been fun.” I was glad things were turning around for her. Too bad they weren’t doing the same for me. I still had no idea where I was going to live or what I was going to do for work when the summer ended.
The door opened and Jay came in. “You’re in big trouble if you didn’t save me any of that ice cream.”
“You’re still hungry? I brought out three hot dogs and a double order of fries an hour ago.”
“No, it’s to ice down my fingers.” He shook his hand dramatically. “I must’ve signed a hundred autographs.”
“Sorry I couldn’t come out and help with the kites. Everyone wanted ice cream.” I reached into the cooler and pulled out the dish I’d saved for him. “You deserve it. Thanks so much.” I rubbed at a spot on top of the cooler. “So, how long did Kim and her friends stay?”
“Once they got their kite strings tangled together and declared the Clams Casino ice cream unfathomable, they left.”
“Ah, so you weren’t paying enough attention to them.”
“Nia actually pushed a little kid out of the way looking for me to sign his kite.”
“Oh, no. I’m sure she just tripped on her high-heeled sandals.”
“Actually, that’s what she said.” He laughed.
I untied my apron and shook my hair out of its ponytail. “So, are you bringing any of your friends to their party tomorrow?”
One corner of his mouth curled up. “I am.”
I crossed my arms, wondering if his friends were nice like him, or more of the dog variety. “Hope you have fun.”
He finished his ice cream and tossed the dish in the trash. “You ready to go?”
“I’m beat. My feet are killing me.”
He raised an eyebrow. “You know, we haven’t tried out the hot tub yet.”
“Now there’s an offer I can’t refuse.”
***
It was hard to gauge how steamy things were getting, considering we were kissing in the hot tub. “Why do I keep forgetting to be just friends with you?” I asked, teasing the hair at the nape of his neck.
“Maybe because we do this so well.” He kissed me again, but I didn’t let it go further than that. He offered to walk me home, but I didn’t want to put him out any more than I already had.
“Thanks so much for what you did. This could really be a turning point for Dell.” I crossed my fingers.
“It was fun, and you had a lot of great ideas.”
I gathered my stuff to leave. “So, stop by before you go to Kim’s party.”
“Of course. See you tomorrow.” He watched me walk away.
If I could truly handle just fooling around with him, why did it suck so much going home alone? I wanted more, I had to admit it. But if we did get together, I’d be a wreck when he left. I screamed in frustration and collapsed on my bed when I got home.
***
Saturday was another busier-than-usual day, and I made it home just before Kim’s party was getting underway. Crews were finishing setting up a white tent with sparkly lights. A bartender was putting out an impressive spread.
Kim looked up as I got out of my car. “I thought I smelled grease.”
I sniffed my hair and shrugged. She was right. “Have a fun party!”
She grinned. “We will. I can’t wait to see who Jay’s bringing.”
I planned on going into Hyannis for some dinner and shopping. I truly didn’t want to go to the party, but I didn’t feel like listening to it all night, either. I hopped in the shower and decided to dress up for a change. Maybe the girls would think I had somewhere better to go. I giggled to myself, amused. In high school, it would have bothered me that the queen bees didn’t like me. Didn’t matter now, and it was quite freeing.
I slipped on a short black dress, put on makeup and straightened my hair. I didn’t look half bad. I wondered what Jay would think. God, that’s not why I’m doing this, is it?
He stopped by a few minutes later, freshly showered and gorgeous, and his reaction was good—very good. “Wow, and I thought you looked hot in that sexy green uniform.”
I went to whack him, but remembered how much that hurt last time. “I’m just going out for some shopping. Thought it might be nice not to look like a slouch all the time.”
“Oh, and here I thought you were going to come to the party with me.”
“No, you’re going with your friends. Have fun and be careful. Those girls have claws and they use them.” I hated thinking about all the women pawing over him, but he wasn’t really my guy to worry about.
“I’m only bringing one friend.”
“Who?” Another NBA player? That’d get the girls going.
“You.”
I stepped back. “Me? They don’t want me there.”
“They said I could bring a friend. And I want to bring you. You’ve been insisting we be friends.” He took a step closer to me.
I stepped back again. “Jay…”
“Come on. I don’t want to go to this party. If they’re rude, we’ll leave.”
I let out a whine.
“Please? I helped you with go-fly-a-kite day…”
“Oh, I can’t believe you’re hanging that over my head.”
“That’s how desperate I am,” he said.
I crossed my arms. “We can leave if it’s horrible?”
“Promise.”
I frowned, but he was hard to resist. If he kept his promise, we wouldn’t be there long; they were sure to be rude.
We walked across the street just after six, and Nia spotted Jay. She waved, giggled, and snorted. “You’re right on time.”
“I thought you were coming early,” Kim said, then she looked at me. “What are you doing here?”
Jay put his arm around me. “You said I could bring a friend.”
Kim’s deeply tanned face somehow managed to turn red. She took a minute to gain her composure. “Okay, then.” She turned away from him. “Drinks are under the tent; have a good time.”
Clearly, Kim knew she’d been had. But the rest of the pack didn’t. Nia pulled Jay over to the bar, while Beth cornered me.
“Did you come up with all those promotional ideas for the diner?” she asked.
I took a deep breath, remembering that Beth and I could be friends in a parallel universe. I nodded. “It turned out really well.”
“Damn right it did. Have you ever worked in marketing before?”
“No, I was in human resources at a college, but I got laid off in the spring.”
Her eyes widened. “I didn’t know. I just assumed with your job at the diner…” She let her words trail off.
“I’m just trying to figure out what to do next.”
She took a drink and sighed. “Me, too. I was marketing director for a small non-profit that helps underprivileged teens find work. If only I had half your creativity, maybe I would have enjoyed it.”
“That sounds really interesting, actually. Much more stimulating than human resources.” I twirled my finger as if to say, yahoo!
“But I suppose you won’t have to work, now that you’ve scooped up Jay.”
I shook my head. “Number one, I haven’t scooped up anyone. And number two, I’ll always work. I need to be productive.” The sound of steel drums filled the air, as the band started playing.
“Work when you don’t have to?” She wrinkled her nose and shrugged. “Well, everybody’s different. I’m going to go mingle. Good luck!” She refilled her drink and then scooted over to Kim. I just know she was giving her the good news—Jay and I weren’t a couple. Some squealing and jumping on their part confirmed that.
Where was he, anyway? He drags me to this party and disappears? I looked around for him, and spotted him talking with Nia near the hot tub on the side of the house. I walked over, but they couldn’t see me behind a row of tall ornamental grass, rustling in the soft breeze.
I could hear them, though.
“Jay, she’s not what you think,” Sarah said.
“Oh?”
I peeked through the grass.
“She’s like, poor. In fact, I think she’s homeless. She’s staying in her friend’s house for the summer, she’s working at this dumpy diner, and she has a tattoo,” she whispered. “On her back.” She made a face. “A girl like that is probably after your money. I just wanted to warn you.”
He rubbed his chin. “Really, you think so?”
Sarah nodded solemnly.
“I’m usually pretty good knowing when someone’s just after my money.”
“So you can probably tell she is.”
He crossed his arms, thinking. “She makes some awful good stuff down at the diner. She scores a few points for that.”
Sarah blinked up at him. “I make awesome martinis.”
“I don’t really drink all that much. I work too hard to stay in shape to get wasted.”
Widening her eyes, she nodded. “Oh, me too. Well, I’m drinking a little tonight.” She gestured to her glass. “I just mean when someone else wants a drink, I make a good one.”
“Well, thanks for the warning.”
She nodded, like she’d performed some important civic duty.
“But, I like Summer.”
And didn’t my insides whirl at that news? But, he was probably just trying to keep her and her martinis at bay, I reminded myself. I’d figured all along I was his buffer girl, but for the first time, it bothered me.
I cleared my throat and walked out from behind the grass. “I think I’m ready to leave,” I said, jerking my thumb toward my house.
Sarah clutched his arm. “But you don’t have to go, Jay.”
“I should see her home.”
“She lives across the street.” She wasn’t letting go of him.
“I’m fine. And I still have time to go into town.” And before he had a chance to dislodge himself, I crossed the street, got in my car and drove away.
***
Dell had asked me if I could work Sunday since things had been so busy lately. We had a line of people waiting for the Clams Casino ice cream they’d heard about, and lots were trying the batch of Lobster and Butter, too. It was a good distraction from wondering how Jay’s night had been. I needed to stuff away this silly infatuation and get on with figuring things out. I’d decided after talking to Beth that I was going to stay on the Cape past the summer to try to help Dell make a go of it year-round. I had more ideas to put Scoopy’s on the map, and I knew my friend would let me stay in her house a while longer. If not, I’d find a place to rent.
Maybe marketing would be my new calling with the way things were going. Already, we had several artists displaying their work, including a lovely senior, Mary Andrews, who’d sold a few pieces. Seeing how tickled she’d been when I handed her a check for the sales really felt good. The changes at Scoopy’s were helping more than just Dell. And it was doing wonders for my self-esteem, as well. It was a good place to be.
I was busy cleaning up after a huge lunch rush when I heard Jay’s voice. “Got any left for me?”
I looked up at him. “Any what?”
“Of your time. Why’d you take off last night? I couldn’t exactly shake Sarah off me. She was holding on tight, and you’re right, she does have claws.” He pretended to inspect his arm for marks.
Wiping down the counter, I sighed. “I don’t want to be your decoy girlfriend to keep the other girls away. And besides, you’re leaving soon and I’ve decided to stay on the Cape and help Dell.”
He grinned. “Cool. Maybe I’ll stay down here longer, too. I don’t have any other plans. Except you, Summer.”
I turned around, pretending to look for more paper towels, because I just knew I was blushing.
“And I’ve got a surprise for you.”
“Staying on the Cape is surprise enough.”
“Something even better.”
I doubt that.
One corner of his mouth curled up. “Can I bring it in?”
Now I was worried. “Okay…”
He went back outside and waved someone in. “I was thinking about everything you’ve been doing to help Dell, and tried to think what I could do.”
“Besides hosting the kite day and lending your name to the event?”
He nodded. “I called a friend who knows someone at the Food Network, and they went crazy when they heard about the Clams Casino ice cream.”
That’s when a TV host I’d seen before came in, followed by a cameraman and someone with a bunch of lights and cords.
I blinked back tears and set my hand on my throat. “This will change everything, Jay.”
His voice softened and he put his hands on my arms. “Good. Maybe we can get her on her feet this summer, and then you can come back with me in the fall.”
I opened my mouth to protest but he covered it with a finger. “Just toss that in the crazy stew of ideas in your head.”
Jay introduced us to the crew, and I called Dell out. She actually sat down and started fanning herself she was so shocked.
The crew started setting up to interview us both. In the midst of all this, customers started piling in. A guy and a girl holding hands wandered over to the ice cream display.
“What flavor do you want, Natalie?” her boyfriend asked.
“I want to try that Clams Casino I heard about.” She looked up at me and smiled. “Unless you have crab cake ice cream. Connor and I would love that.”
I widened my eyes. “Great idea! That will be next week’s Scoopy’s Kooky flavor.”
“Awesome! We’ll come back for that. But I’ll take the Clams Casino ice cream now. Just one scoop.”
I served it up and watched them share the small portion at a nearby table. Seeing a couple so in love made my chest tighten. I hadn’t really had that with Vince. I’d wanted it. I’d done everything I could to try to make it happen. But it didn’t.
I looked at Jay, chatting with a few fans while signing their Celtics ball caps. I hadn’t done a darn thing to get him to like me—but he did. He liked me for who I really was. Why wouldn’t I give him a chance? Looking around the busy diner, I laughed to myself. I was doing everything to turn around Dell’s place, but nothing to help turn things around for me.
I smiled at him and he caught my eye. He must have known from the expression on my face that something had changed. He finished up with the fans and came over with a questioning look.
I shrugged. “Let’s give it a try. I never would have guessed that clams and ice cream would’ve worked but they did. Who knows?”
He grabbed my hands and kissed me. “We’ll be just as good, I know it.”
The door swung open and I wondered how we’d keep up with the rush. We’d have to hire more people. Then I did a double-take. “I know that guy,” I said.
Jay clenched his fists. “It’s not your ex, is it?”
“No, it's...Michael Sullivan, the actor! That’s right, he almost drowned on the beach this summer.”My mind started spinning and I snapped my fingers. “Hey, Michael!” I waved to him. “Come on over for a life preserver sundae on the house.”
Michael and the girl with him laughed, while Jay looked at me. “What’s that?”
“Shh. I just made it up. Vanilla ice cream with whipped cream and pineapple rings.”
Jay nodded, impressed. “Good one.”
Michael came over and I insisted on getting a picture of him with Dell. I decided I’d be adding a collection of celebrity photos and their favorite dishes to the front wall. Then I took one of her and the guy from the Food Network.
A guy and a girl pushed through the front door with big cardboard boxes and carried them up to the counter. “We’ve got more Port-A-Party hats for you.”
I pulled out a stack and set them next to the register. “Good, those have been selling great.” Dell would definitely need me to stay. Things around here were really hopping.
The guy with the hats jerked his thumb over his shoulder. “Did you know you’ve got a Back-bellied Plover nesting out front?”
The woman with him rolled her eyes. “It’s probably just a crow.”
“Watch it, or I won’t share my sundae.” He nudged her with his elbow and she giggled.
The Food Network guy picked up one of the orange hats by the register, turning it round to inspect it. “What’s this?”
“The Port-A-Party Hat,” I told him. “It’s got pockets and slots and things to load up your hat with party goods—”
“To take the party with you! Genius.” He slid it on his head. “This is totally going in the story. I hope this guy is well stocked. These are going to sell like hotcakes. When we featured the Snack-n-Go Vest, they sold out in a day.”
The couple that brought them in slapped hands in a high-five. “My dad is going to flip!” said the woman. “Maybe he can stop working on those self-cleaning sneakers now.” She waved her hand in front of her nose. “The stink follows him everywhere.”
Mr. Food Network smoothed his tie, which didn’t exactly match the hat. “You guys ready for your interview?” he asked me.
“Do Dell, first. I have to go outside and talk to Jay.” I had reached for his hand and pulled him outside, when I noticed two women crouched down, peeking in the front windows.
One woman cupped her hands around her eyes for a better look inside. “This is just like Stake Out,” she whispered.
Her friend bit her lip. “Not exactly.”
“Can I help you?” I asked.
They stood up and brushed off their skirts. “Oh, we’re fine. Say, is that Michael Sullivan in there?”
I couldn’t help but look at her feet, absolutely squashed into a pair of cute red sandals. “Yes, why?” I asked.
The one woman blushed. “We kind of owe him an apology.”
“Brooke almost killed him,” the woman next to her said, “Like Weekend at Bernie’s or something.”
“Monica! It’s not at all like that. And you were there too!” They continued arguing as they went into the diner.
Laughing, Jay put his arms around me. “Now, quick, what did you want to tell me—before someone else shows up?”
I stretched up on my tiptoes and kissed him, long and hard, with the promise of more to come.
“What was that for?” He took my hands in his.
“To thank you. For believing in the diner. And for believing in me.”
“Imagine that, two of my favorite things together. Even better than your ice cream.” He kissed me again. “And I believe in us, too. Now get back in there, you’ve got an interview to do. And afterward, we have some unfinished business in the hot tub.”
Giggling, I pulled him into the restaurant behind me, wondering how I had started out the summer with nothing, and ended up with everything.