Page 4

Jennifer

“F or a minute there I thought Dylan was going to throat-punch Chad,” Alyssa said.

“Thankfully, it didn’t come to that.” All things considered, I was grateful Dylan had stepped in, saving Alyssa and me from dealing with a difficult situation.

“In my defense, sober Chad wasn’t such a douche.”

“I believe you.”

Alyssa folded her arms as we stood awkwardly at the edge of the dock. “Not the night I thought we were going to have, but now I get to watch you pretend you’re not hot for yacht-boy, and that will be amusing.”

“I’m not hot for anyone.”

“And yet, here we are waiting for him.”

I grunted. “You’re the one who said you were hungry.”

Alyssa raised an unimpressed brow. “Yeah, because I can’t remember the last guy who got you all flustered.”

“Do I look flustered?” I demanded, hands planted firmly on my hips.

Alyssa smirked. “You’re blushing so hard I feel the heat from here.”

I laughed. “Shut up.” Alyssa always knew how to cut through my defenses. “I’m not interested in meeting anyone, especially not someone like... like...”

“Yeah, you need to find yourself a good old-fashioned, poor, ugly guy. They’re safer.”

I bristled defensively. “I don’t have time for ugly or gorgeous men. I thought I was moving home after college, and now that I’ve decided I don’t want to, I need to make some quick decisions. Find a job here and get a place or figure out where else I might want to live.”

“First, you’re not allowed to move out of New England unless you take me with you.”

I shifted from one foot to the other. “You’re starting a job on Monday.”

She flipped her hair. “Jobs come and go, but best friends? They’re forever.

So, choose your location carefully. I currently have an apartment with a couch you can sleep on for as long as you want.

But if you make us relocate to somewhere that doesn’t need my mad computer skills, I might be on your couch. ”

I grimaced. “I can’t mooch off you.”

“Then slide me some rent now and then, and we’ll be good. I know you. This is a temporary setback. And do you notice how I’m not asking you if you’re sure you don’t want to change your mind and move back home?”

I side-eyed her.

She continued, “Because I know you. When your mom threw your dad out because she caught him cheating again, you were proud of her, and you wanted to support her. But now that she took him back? You can’t handle that, and you shouldn’t have to. Her choices. Her consequences. You’re free.”

We stood in silence for a few seconds. The breeze smelled like salt and engine fuel. Somewhere behind us, a seagull squawked like it had strong opinions.

“It’s still hard,” I mumbled.

“I know.”

A guttural sound escaped me. “I could love them separately, but I can’t pretend we’re all happy together when we’re not. And that it doesn’t hurt when things get ugly. I don’t want to be in their marriage anymore. It’s exhausting.”

“Their choices don’t have to be yours. It’s okay to define the kind of relationship you’re comfortable having with them.”

“I’m angry.”

“And that’s okay too.”

I glanced at the yacht. “What are we doing? We should go.”

“Is that what you really want to do?” Alyssa asked, her voice softer now.

“Wasn’t Chad enough of a lesson for us tonight?”

“Jen.”

“I just...” I shrugged. “Sorry, I’m making this about me. It shouldn’t be, and that’s why we should go and get ice cream somewhere. Just you and me.”

“Chad didn’t hurt me. We spoke once, and he asked me out. I don’t care about him.” She bumped her shoulder into mine. “And he’s not your father. He’s just a douche.”

I looked away.

“But not every man is,” she said gently.

“I know that.”

“Do you? Because I think it’s kind of cool that Dylan is ditching his friends to come back and take you and me to dinner.”

“Why did we say yes?”

Alyssa blew out a breath. “Hating men because one or two were awful is like hating the entire beach because you stepped on a jagged shell.”

I turned to look at her.

She gestured to the bay. “Some shells are jagged. Step on them barefoot, and yeah, you bleed. But some are beautiful. And smooth. Some are worth sticking in your pocket and taking home.”

“I’m not taking him home.” I stared at her. “And not because I currently don’t have a home.”

“Cue the violins!” she said with a grin. “Your life truly is tragic. But do you know what might make you feel better? A free meal.”

I started to laugh, despite myself. “Nothing is ever free.”

“Oh God, do you think Dylan will demand you put out? Insist you repay him for the appetizers with”—she lowered her voice playfully—“ sexual favors?”

“You’re an idiot.”

“And you’re my best friend, so what does that say about you?”

I hugged her. “That I’m incredibly lucky.”

She hugged me back. “I’ll accept that.” Then she smiled, satisfied, and nodded down the dock. “Look at that fine shell rushing back to us now.”

I followed her gaze. Dylan DeVoss was indeed striding back toward us with determination.

Freshly showered and dressed in slacks and a button-down, he looked like he belonged in an ad for men’s casual clothing.

His loafers were scuffed but new. Only wealthy people tried that hard to appear as if they weren’t trying.

“If you want him . . .” I offered quietly.

Alyssa didn’t even blink. “Girl, he only has eyes for you. And I love that for you.”

I gave her a sideways glance. “You’re sure?”

“Oh, please. I’ll get my own shell.” She tugged her sundress straight and winked. “Maybe even at whatever cool place he takes us.”

I shook my head, still smiling. “You’re seriously okay? What about Chad?”

“Chad who?” she asked breezily.

“That’s the spirit,” Dylan said as he joined us. “I’ve never met one worth knowing.”

“Apparently, nor have I,” Alyssa joked.

I relaxed a little. This is better for her than slinking off to mope somewhere. I turned to Dylan and said, “Thank you.”

His grin was instant. “No, thank you for waiting for me. Now, where would you two like to go?”

I didn’t hate how he included Alyssa and even shot her a smile. Had he come across as cocky or pushy, it would have been easy to dismiss him. “Nowhere too fancy,” I said.

“But don’t feel like you shouldn’t try to impress us,” Alyssa joked.

He laughed.

“As long as you understand that agreeing to have dinner with you is not an agreement to anything else,” I announced firmly.

Alyssa and Dylan exchanged a look, then both smiled. He held my gaze, but bent as if speaking to Alyssa. “What kind of men have you allowed your friend to date?”

“This isn’t a date,” I countered.

He chuckled, and all his attention returned to me. “I want to get to know you, Jennifer LaSalette, and I’m okay with whatever you want that to look like. As long as it involves food soon, because I’m hungry.”

“Me too,” Alyssa chimed in.

“I am not in a good headspace to even consider dating anyone right now,” I said, feeling like I should be upfront with that.

“But how do you feel about breadsticks?” he asked.

I surprised myself by laughing and taking the arm he offered.