“Loose.” He fights a smile. I hit him in the chest. “I’m serious.”
He sighs. “I get it. I understand. Do you think I wanted to tell everyone at school I’m sharing the hottest girl ever with my best friends? It sounds weird.”
I wrinkle my nose. “Is it weird?”
“I don’t know, but it works for us, don’t you think?”
His hand slips around my waist. “It does, but I don’t want to make things awkward for anyone. I also don’t want to continue my trend of secret relationships. What I had with Mason was a mess.”
“What you had with Mason was a crime.”
I nod, feeling the wave of shame for letting myself get into that.
Justin studies me for a minute. “Mason had the upper hand and was a manipulative, abusive prick. The difference between us and him is that you’ve got a voice—the biggest voice in this relationship. Use it. Tell us how you feel. Tell us what you want.”
“I think for right now, I’d like to keep this out of the public eye. Until I get used to it a little more and people get used to seeing us around.”
“You’ve got it. We’ll be discreet.” He kisses my forehead. “We’ll make sure to keep the public displays limited until you’re ready. I’ll park over at Bobby’s from now on. All of us will.”
“Thank you.”
“You want me to give you a ride over the bridge before I go into work?”
“Yeah, I think that’s a good idea.” It’ll give Dorothy and any other nosy neighbors an excuse why he’s here. “Do you think the other guys feel the same way? Is it awkward for them too?”
“I think it’s different for all of us, but no one wants you to be uncomfortable, Summer. The whole thing is a little unconventional, but we can make a plan. You can meet Whit at the apartment. Pete at his place. You and Nick can come up with arrangements. We’ll figure it out.”
“I should have said something sooner.”
“Hey.” He tilts my chin. “This is new for all of us. We didn’t get together until the end of last summer and we were all apart during the year. You’re right. It’s a small town and we’re used to living under the microscope.” He smiles. “This is your first time as a townie. It’s going to take some acclimating.”
“You’re the best, did you know that?”
He grins wide. “Actually, I did.”
He’s so arrogant, but it just makes him sexier. That confidence? I could use a dose of that myself. I just hope with a little time and some practice, I’ll get there.
“Have a good day,” I say, giving him one last quick kiss. I’m already breaking the PDA rule. We’re sitting in the Jeep outside the book store. Anita’s car is already in the little parking lot between the shops.
“You, too.” He watches me get out of the car. “I’ve got a business meeting down in Myrtle tonight—something Richard goes to every month.”
“Okay. Be safe.”
He nods. “I will.”
He drives off and I turn to walk up the walkway to the cottage. One of the girls from the night before--the redhead, Jessica, I think--is walking my way, carrying two coffees from the little grocery two doors down. I consider bolting for the porch, pretending I don’t see her, but no. That’s wrong. This is my world now. I need to be friendly for the sake of the shop and my mother’s business.
I step to the side, giving her room to pass and say, “Hi.”
She looks up in surprise. “Oh, hi.” There’s an awkward beat. “Just getting my daily dose of caffeine, you know.”
“For real.” For real? Sigh. I was going to need to work on my social skills. Get my brain together—spending the morning with Justin doesn’t help my brain. He leaves me in a fog. “Have a good day.”
“Same,” she says, with a quick grin.
Feeling accomplished, I walk to the shop and use my key to unlock the door. It’s early, so we’re not open. I hear Anita in the back and find her pulling a mug off the shelf.
“You’re not supposed to drink those are you?” I ask.