Page 29 of The Summer for Us (Golden Falls #1)

I grabbed my purse, slipping my phone and lip gloss inside.

I took a final look in the mirror. It’d been a while since I’d gotten fully ready like this.

Getting ready on Paradise Love with all the other girls was one of the main highlights of being on the show.

It was even better to be getting ready with Lily and Eliza.

As I looked at myself in the mirror, I noticed I wasn’t carrying tension in my shoulders and my jaw wasn’t clenched.

Apart from the boat day on the Fourth, I hadn’t given much thought to Tony’s comments in the Reality Weekly article.

If that’s the way he wanted to go about life, then so be it.

I couldn’t control it. What I could control were my actions, who I surrounded myself with, and what I did next.

I was inspired about working with small businesses and felt even more confident I was making the right decision by trying to pursue this as the next step in my career.

I tossed my curled hair over my shoulder and made sure I didn’t have any of my lipstick or gloss on my teeth.

I was the only one who opted for heels tonight, choosing my favorite pink pair with straps that tied up my calves.

My shoes were the same color as my lace corset-style top, and the black leather mini skirt really tied the look together.

We all looked stunning and ready to take on the night. Right on time, too, because there was a knock at the door.

“That’s Wes!” Lily called. “Can you tell him I need another couple minutes?”

Well, almost right on time.

“Yeah, no problem,” I responded to Lily, crossing the distance to the door and pulling it open.

As I was opening the door, Wes asked, “Let me guess, Lily needs a few more minutes?”

I let out a breathless laugh, opening the door fully. While I expected to see Wes on the other side, I didn’t expect to see him casually leaning against the door frame, muscular arms crossed over his broad chest. He was wearing his usual outfit—jeans and a tee—but he made it look so damn good.

As soon as Wes saw me, he adjusted his casual stance, stepping away from the door frame and standing up straight.

“Juliette, you look…” he trailed off, shaking his head.

His eyes worked their way up my body slowly, his searing gaze burning me everywhere he looked.

And I liked the fire. He started with the strappy heels winding up my legs then moved to the pink corset top I was wearing.

His eyes lingered at how the top pushed my breasts together before he met my eyes.

He swallowed. “You look beautiful, absolutely beautiful,” he finished with a rasp.

His jaw was clenched tight, and when I looked down, his hand flexed before he slipped it into his jeans pocket. Almost like he didn’t trust himself not to reach out.

“Thanks, Wes.” I kept my response simple, because I was positive my brain was going to short-circuit if I tried to string together more words.

I’d never had a man look at me the way Wes did.

What could I say to his compliment, apart from that he makes me feel like I’m the most beautiful woman in the world.

That when he looks at me it feels like there’s no one else around.

A light laugh echoed behind me. “Oh, sure. Nothing at all,” Eliza said as she looked between us with a knowing grin.

I expected Lake Ridge to be the type of bar where the soles of my shoes stuck to the floor and the air smelled a little stale. I imagined a small, local bar. None of that was true. Well, maybe my heels stuck a little.

Lake Ridge had something for everyone. Dancing, drinking, hanging out, and bar games. It was easy to see why Wes, everyone in town, and those visiting loved it. The night had just started, and the place was already packed.

“Wow,” I hummed, glancing over at Wes, who looked on with a proud smile as we walked in. “I’m excited to finally see it in person. Should’ve worn my Lake Ridge merch tonight.”

Wes raised his brows. “Ah, so that’s where my hat went.”

“Maybe,” I said slowly, turning toward him. “I haven’t seen you much this week.”

“I didn’t think you’d notice.”

“I did,” I admitted. “I don’t know what I was expecting, but I thought I’d at least see you around town.”

He nodded. “It’s been a busy week. I should’ve reached out. I… I wanted to… I just…” His words were interrupted when Lily appeared behind me. Wes cleared his throat, not finishing his thought. “Have fun tonight. Here, drinks on me.” He fished his credit card from his wallet.

I shook my head. “Oh, you don’t?—”

Lily reached over and plucked the credit card from Wesley’s fingers without a second thought. “Perfect, thank you! I hooked my phone up to the music, too.”

Wes grumbled under his breath. Something about going to find Cooper to start their pool game.

Lily hooked her arm with mine, leading me to the bar. “Eliza is ordering us drinks, and then it’s off to the dance floor!”

There was a gasp behind us followed by an, “Oh my gosh.”

“Hey, Ruby,” Lily greeted. “What’s up?”

The girl, who looked to be in her early twenties, blinked as she looked between me and Lily. “You’re Jules. Or should I call you Juliette, since we haven’t really met yet? I loved you on Paradise Love !”

“I am.” I let out an awkward laugh, and Lily gave my arm a reassuring squeeze. Most people in town didn’t pay much attention to how I was on Paradise Love . They either knew me as the person staying in the Richards’s cabin or as the designer who worked with Lily. “And call me Jules. Ruby, right?”

She must’ve realized she hadn’t introduced herself, because she put a hand on her forehead, looking down with a shake of her head.

“I probably came off like a total creep. I’m so sorry about that.

Let me try again.” She let out a breath.

“I’m Ruby. I’m back in Golden Falls for the summer from college and working at Lake Ridge.

It’s nice to meet you, Jules.” Ruby turned toward Lily, greeting her, too.

My shoulders relaxed as I listened to Ruby, a smile easily forming on my face. “It’s no problem at all. I’m still getting used to the attention, and it’s been nice to get away from it all in Golden Falls. It’s nice to meet you, too, Ruby.”

“I bet it’s been a lot. I love that you were yourself on the show.

Funny, wore your heart on your sleeve, not afraid to speak your mind.

” Ruby’s initial excitement was back, her eyes beaming.

“I knew from the first episode you were genuine, and I’ve been excited to meet you.

Everyone in town has said such good things about you.

I’m so happy you decided to spend the summer in Golden Falls, but I wish you didn’t have to go through that to end up here. ”

“We’re really lucky to have her,” Lily agreed.

I parted my lips, not sure how to respond.

My heart swelled at their words, especially Ruby’s.

“I, uh, that’s so nice of you to say, Ruby.

I’m really happy to be spending the summer here, too.

And it means a lot to hear about how my personality came through on the show.

I haven’t seen the episodes. Going through it once feels like enough. ”

“I don’t blame you at all. I actually don’t plan on watching future seasons.

I doubt it’ll do anything—I mean, I’m just one person.

Anyways, I’m glad you won. Seeing you on the show…

I don’t know.” Ruby paused, biting down on her bottom lip.

“It made me realize I can be unapologetically myself, too. My last ex told me I was too much .” Ruby rolled her eyes as she used air quotes.

“It bothered me at first, but it’s his loss.

Just like you’re a million times better off without Tony. ”

I didn’t realize my appearance on the show could have such an impact on someone. I hadn’t even thought of that as a possibility when episodes were airing. “I’m so sorry you had to go through that. Why do men think they can say that to us?”

Ruby shook her head. “Not men—boys,” she corrected. “And it’s because they don’t know how to handle strong women.” Ruby crossed her arms over her chest. “Boys are afraid of strong women. Men see the strength in them.”

“Rubes, you’re way too wise to be in college. Are you sure you’re not older?” Lily asked.

“I’m sure.” Ruby let out a laugh, a grin on her face. “Anyways, I had to say hi when I saw you, but I gotta go help run some food. The fries here are to die for. You have to try them. We have house made ranch, too!”

“It was great to meet you, Ruby.” I liked everyone I’d met so far in Golden Falls, and it was so easy to see myself here. To picture what a life here could be like.

Ruby waved to both of us before floating through the crowd toward the back where I assumed the kitchen was.

“You’re winning everyone in town over.” Lily smiled as she led me over to the bar, where Eliza and Louise were chatting.

“Long time, no see, Jules,” Louise teased. We had recently gotten together for coffee to talk about her rental.

When Eliza started to reach for her purse, Lily waved her hand. “Wes is paying,” she informed Eliza before turning to Louise. Lily held out Wes’s card. “Could you put our drinks on Wes’s tab, please?”

“Oh, of course.” Louise took the card with a wink. She set our finished drinks on the bar: a hard seltzer for Lily, tequila soda for Eliza, and an Aperol spritz for me. “Have fun, girls.”

It was going to be a fun night, and I wanted to soak up every second of it.