15 Shades Of Pink (41 page)

“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 butgh 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.