Paradise Lost (Private 9)

Paige smirked at me as she followed her mother. Mrs. Ryan had insulted me so flippantly that it took a few minutes for the words to sink in. When they did, my jaw nearly hit the ground. Was Mrs. Ryan

80

really that annoyed about what had gone on at Billings this year? Having graduated from Easton at least twenty years ago, it was way past time for her to move on.

"You'll have to excuse my wife," Mr. Ryan said in a low voice. "She hasn't been sleeping well."

"Not a problem, Mr. Ryan," Upton said. "Enjoy your brunch."

Mr. Ryan flashed us his politician smile before joining his family.

"Not a problem? That woman was so rude to me," I whispered, glancing over my shoulder. Mrs. Ryan was sitting at the first table overlooking the water, staring at her menu with her lips pursed, judging the offerings just as she had judged me. "Doesn't she have better things to do with her time?"

"Don't let her ruin your day," Upton said. He nodded toward the cozy-looking lounge, filled with big armchairs and glass-topped tables. "Come on. We can get dried off inside and see if we can save any of our breakfast."

I took a deep breath. Upton was right. If I was going to be Fun Reed, I shouldn't let some bitter, bored housewife ruin my day. But I couldn't help noticing that Upton had not reached for my hand again. Was it because he didn't want Paige to report back to Poppy and tell her that he had been holding my hand? And if so, why?

I reached for a chocolate croissant and tore into it. Forget Mrs. Ryan. All these un-answered questions could definitely ruin my day.

81

CHAPTER 12 GIRLS AND DRAMA

Shutters was, apparently, the go-to hangout for the St. Barths crew, as I found out when Noelle drove me and West back there that afternoon for a late lunch. The storm had been short-lived and the patio roof, which also was a shutter with slats, was open to let in the sun. Upton was spending the afternoon with his family, but Kiran already was there with her parents and Taylor, and Noelle's father had commandeered a large table overlooking the water. He was sitting with Sawyer, Graham, and a man whom I assumed was their father. The two dads were engaged in some serious conversation while Sawyer read his book and Graham texted on his BlackBerry.

Marquis led Noelle, West, and me to a prime table at the opposite corner of the patio from Mr. Lange and the Hathaway family. We were seated only for a moment when Kiran and Taylor got up to join us, bringing their iced teas with them. Kiran was wearing a demure (for her) black sundress that had a full skirt hitting just above the knee.

82

Taylor wore a gauzy off-the-shoulder top and white shorts, her blond curls back in a skinny headband much like the one Poppy had been wearing the night before.

"Hey, girls," Kiran said as she sat down. She started to take a sip of iced tea and then paused, looking at West. "And boy."

West grinned. He reached over and took Noelle's hand, holding it on top of the table. Kiran, Taylor, and I simply stared. Public hand-holding? I had known they were flirting, but this was big. I glanced at Kiran and Taylor. They both shrugged with their eyes, as baffled as I was.

"Where're Tiff and Amberly?" Taylor asked, sipping her tea.

"Tiff is scouting locations with Tassos, and Amberly is boycotting us," Noelle replied, pushing her frameless Kenneth Cole sunglasses up into her hair.

"Boycottingus? Why?" I asked, incredulous.

Noelle ducked her chin and looked at me. "Because of you," she said. "Apparently you're being mean to her," she added in a light voice.

I sat up straight, my jaw on the table. "I'm being mean to her? She told you that?"

Noelle's silence was confirmation.

"Unbelievable! She has been evil to me ever since she got into Billings and she totally trashed my room! She does not get to boycott me!"

Noelle lifted one shoulder and shifted in her seat, clearly amused. "Apparently, she does. And you might want to dial it down," she added, glancing pointedly at the other diners. "These are the types of people who save their shrill for behind closed doors."

83

My cheeks warmed, and I made an indignant noise in the back of my throat, dropping back in my chair. Who did Amberly think she was?

West chuckled and shook his head. "You girls and your drama. There should be a support group."

"Do not comment on what you do not understand," Noelle told him with a smile and a hand squeeze.