Page 23 of Summer on Lilac Island

“Since when has Nonni had a boyfriend?” Georgiana asked Eloise as Nonni zoomed out of the driveway at Thistle Dew.

“That’s just Liam Townsend,” Eloise said, yanking up weeds from the garden bed. The sun was getting hot. “They grew up together.”

“Wasn’t that Nonni’s high school boyfriend? The one who was dating Camille before she left him for the Yooper?”

“Correct,” Eloise said. “But they’re only friends.”

Eloise found comfort in how her mother had men to spend time with, and even more comfort in how her mother assured she had

no interest in ever dating again. Eloise’s dad was her one and only.

“And he’s okay with that?” Georgiana prodded.

Eloise didn’t like the way Georgiana was trying to stir up trouble. “Of course he is. Why do you ask?”

“Because I know how to tell if a guy is interested,” Georgiana said. “And that Liam... he’s smitten.”

“No, he’s not.” The observation rattled Eloise, not that she put much stock in it. Georgiana was biased by her twentysomething

lens, through which every friendship seemed to have some sexual undertone to it. “They’re just good friends.”

“Like you and Clyde?”

Eloise ducked her head deeper in the flower bed, tending to the shasta daisies to make sure no weeds were strangling the flowers.

“No, nothing like us,” she said, feeling dizzy—just from the constant up and down of gardening, she told herself.

“We’re mere acquaintances and have only known each other a couple of weeks.

Your Nonni and Liam have known each other their whole lives. ”

“That’s a lot of history,” Georgiana said, spinning Eloise’s words against her yet again. “And now they’re both single and

spend lots of time together, but there’s nothing going on between them?”

“They’re at a different life stage than you, Georgiana,” Eloise said. “As am I. Your grandmother and I seek platonic companionship,

not romance.”

“And Nonni has told you this?”

“Well, not verbatim.” Eloise couldn’t imagine talking with her mother about this kind of thing. Even broaching the topic felt

like it would be an insult to Eloise’s father, whom her mother had loved—and still did—so dearly and loyally. “But I know

my mother, and she’s happy with Liam’s friendship.”

“I’m not denying that,” Georgiana said, getting her bicycle from the garage. “I’m just saying she might be happi er with some tongue on that kiss.”

“Georgiana!” Eloise felt queasy. “Watch your mouth.”

Georgiana sped off on her bicycle, dinging that annoying bell as she went. “Watch your eyes.”