“Oh no. Do not let him come over here,” Anita says when she sees him. “You know he makes me crazy. Like, why does he wear that stupid black hat all the damn time. It’s ninety degrees outside.”
“Babe, he’s harmless,” Bobby says, taking a drink of his beer.
“And annoying. He’s been coming in the shop all the time lately asking me a million questions about your mom’s book, your mom,” she glances over at me, “you.”
“He’s asking questions about me?”
“Ugh, sorry but yes. I think Shay’s been entertaining all his ideas.”
I’m less worried about Avery than I am Shay. I’ve avoided her for a few days now, hoping tomorrow at the party is the last time I have to deal with her. Pete notices the apprehension on my face. “Just tell her you’re here for fun—no interviews.”
It only takes a few moments for them to see us at the long table. Avery perks up and heads in our direction. Shay, overdressed as usual, follows.
Bobby, always wiser than I give him credit for, senses trouble and says, “Come on babe, let’s go dance.”
“Thank god,” she mumbles, heaving herself out of the chair.
“Summer! Pete! What are you guys doing here?”
“Introducing Summer to Dusty’s, what about you?”
Avery brushes a lock of hair out of his eyes. “I told Shay I’d show her some local haunts.”
“Hi Summer,” she says, smiling at me. The whole situation feels a little off—why she’d hang out with Avery is beyond me. He’s not unattractive, but she said she has kids and I’m assuming a husband.
Nope. Not my place to judge.
“Well, I promised Summer a spin on the dance floor, so you’ll have to excuse us,” Pete says, standing and offering me his hand.
“You can dance?” I ask once we’re away from the table.
“We can all dance.”
Sure enough, Anita and Bobby can dance, and I’m instantly fascinated by the smooth movements of my friends. It’s a swing-type style but seems slightly varied. It fits perfectly with the music and I finally lean into Pete and ask, “What’s with the music?”
His eyebrows raise. “It’s beach music.”
“Beach music?”
He kisses me quick and smiles. “God your mother really didn’t teach you anything about living down here. Back in the day, the area had their own brand of music—and dance, Carolina beach music.”
“This is the first I’ve heard of it.” I look out on the dance floor and feel a twinge of jealousy.
“I don’t know for certain, but I’d place bets that the reason your mom and Sugar and Richard were on the road that night headed to Myrtle involved cruising the strip and dancing down at the pavilion.”
I’d never really asked her why they were down there but I’ve seen my mother at weddings and events where she’s been a capable dancer. I just never thought much about it.
“Want to give it a shot?” he asks.
“Seriously, you can dance like that?”
“Anita just told you we all could. It’s in our blood, Summer. Yours, too.”
I feel like this is one of those tests—can I really be like the others—under the music I’m sure everyone could hear my nerves rattle. I’m not an overtly physical person. Not swimming, not surfing, definitely not dancing.
But these boys aren’t ones to take no for an answer, and I don’t really want to anyway. I follow Pete onto the dance floor and he takes both of my hands. “I’m clumsy,” I tell him.
He laughs. “I know.”