“I tried to, but this little monster kept me up all night kicking before getting the hiccups.” She sighs. “I’m fine, though. Bobby got up with Sibley and I did get a little extra sleep.”
“Don’t feel like you have to push it. I’m going to set Mom up at that table where she can sign books and I want you to sit with her. Stay off your feet.”
“No arguments there.”
We’d ordered extra of my mom’s books and set up a small table for her to greet readers. I had Nick move two comfortable chairs behind it for Anita and my mom. She’s only signing for about an hour. After that it will just be a little reception.
There’s a knock at the front door and I see several bouquets of flowers. Nick answers the door and the florist walks in carrying several arrangements of pink and purple tulips—my mother’s favorite. “Where would you like these?” she asks me.
“I’ll take them,” Anita says, despite her promise to take it easy. A moment later my mother walks in, followed by Richard. She stops and assesses the room.
“Girls, it looks amazing!”
Anita smiles and I give my mom and then Richard a hug. “There’s food and drinks—do you want some wine?” I ask. My mother nods and Richard goes to get her a glass. I show her the table and her books. “Are you ready for this?”
“I’ve been doing this for weeks now, one more night isn’t going to kill me!”
Just before the night begins, the boys come in together—all looking handsome as usual. Pete turns up the music and I can’t help but watch him…wondering, but I know in my heart there’s no way, so I get focused on the night ahead and the success my mother has earned.
22
Justin
Anita parks me behind the bar and I spend the evening filling up plastic cups with wine and handing out sodas to the younger customers. Pete keeps the music going, beach music to go with the theme of the night, and Summer’s mom looks happy as she talks with the readers lined all the way out the door for her signature.
I’m pouring a glass of wine for Ms. Dorothy, who’s beaming at being th
e neighbor of the guest of honor. She gives me a wink when I fill it all the way to the top and I hear my name, “Hey, Justin.” I look up and see Jessica. Isabel stands at her side.
“Hey girls, want a drink?” I point to the two offerings.
“Yeah, a diet Coke, please.” She points across the room. “And one for Lilah.”
Nick’s sister talks to him by his work. She has her phone out and snaps a few selfies.
“I didn’t know Nick was so talented,” Jessica says. “I mean, he’s always had that camera around, but I thought he was just trying to be artsy or something.”
“Well now you know better,” I say, pouring their drinks. I push the three across the table, wishing another couple would come along.
“That picture of Summer and her mom is gorgeous,” Isabel says. “Like, you can feel the intensity in the photograph.”
There is one main photo that Nick shot of Summer and Julia that’s very striking. The two of them are along the barren road, near where Julia had been attacked. Nick caught them in an unguarded moment and printed it in black-and-white. The publisher used the photo on the back cover of Julia’s book, since there’s such a big family and redemption storyline.
Since Julia’s return, I can sense a change in Summer. Not good or bad, just different. She’s a bit more carefree when her mom isn’t around, but she also seems a little lost—like she’s looking for her anchor. All night she’s been glued to her mother’s side, ushering up fans for signings and conversation with her mom. Avery, dressed up for the occasion and looking less like a skater bum than ever before, has been here since the doors opened. He’s still wearing that hat that drives Anita crazy and he’s parked himself near the signing table, speaking with Julia whenever he has the opportunity. I’m not sure why Anita hasn’t told him to scram.
“We heard about the drama the other night at Dusty’s,” Isabel says, taking a slow sip of her drink.
I shrug. “It was no big deal. Brent was just being a dick.”
“Like usual.” Jessica snorts then adds quickly, “Heard he accused Summer of being a whore.”
And like that, she has my full attention. “I told you, he was being a dick.”
“You know, she came in a few weeks ago to get a bathing suit and she was talking about how hot Whit is and that you two had an arrangement—”
“Agreement,” Isabel corrects.
“Yeah, an agreement.” Jessica’s green eyes hold mine.