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Reid flicks the wide-brimmed hat I have on, smirking. “Like the hat.”
I roll my eyes. “I look like a Canadian Mountie, but I’ve had a few too many sunburns in my day to risk it.”
I head to the back to grab my beach bag as Reid rounds to the other side of the car and tugs the door open.
“Hi Junie Bee!”
“Misery!”
I can’t help but smile at the two of them, and I hoist my bag over my shoulder as Reid unbuckles Junie and helps her climb out of the car, where Sydney promptly licks her in the face. The three of us—four, if you include Syd—walk together over to the tent, and I get a round of hellos from everyone and several hugs. Then I set up my chair and drop down, tugging out some sunscreen and calling Junie over. She pouts and heads my way, standing between my legs with a sour expression as I slather every inch of her exposed skin.
“Trust me, baby girl, I know how you feel. But you will thank me when you’re older.”
I remember my mother saying similar things to me and my siblings as she covered us in thick white sun protectant. It means almost nothing when you’re a child. The second I’m done, Junie sprints off to where Leo and Nina are building castles down by the water.
“Beer?”
I glance up at Reid as he sets up his beach chair next to mine, and I nod, accepting the cold can he passes my way. Cracking it open, I take a long sip before tucking it in the cup holder in my chair.
“I can’t wait for summer to be over.”
“Same,” I reply, leaning my head back and closing my eyes as I slip on a pair of sunglasses. “I wasn’t built for the heat or the humidity or the sun. Give me scarves and hot chocolate and rainy days.”
Reid hums. “Fireplaces and cider and a crossword puzzle.”
“Bookstores and pumpkin patches.”
We look at each other then lift our beer cans to cheers.
“But I will say, Iamlooking forward to Summerpalooza.”
I scoff. “It’s the best event in town.” Then I gasp and grab Reid’s arm. “I’ll be old enough to drink this time.”
His jaw drops and then he bursts into laughter.
I narrow my eyes. “What?”
Reid just shakes his head, still chuckling. “I just…keep forgetting how young you are.”
“I told you, I’ll be 23 in October…”
“23 in October, I know, you mentioned that,” he says at the same time. “But in my head, you’re closer to my age. Not…still excited to drink at a town event.”
I roll my eyes. “I didn’t come home at all last summer, and that would have been my first summer when I was old enough.”
“And you didn’t do what every other kid did and just…sneak into the beer garden?”
“Mitchells can’t sneak anywhere,” I reply, smirking. “Everyone knows what we’re doing all the time. I bet people are already talking about the fact that I’m here with you.”
His brow furrows, like he hadn’t ever considered that thought before. Before he can say anything else, Junie is racing over and grabbing his hand, begging him to go swimming with her.
“I’ll be back in a few minutes,” he says as Junie drags him off toward the water.
I watch for a few minutes, sipping my beer, then Tabitha drops down in the chair Reid just vacated.
“Good to see you today, Busy,” she says, a bright smile on her face.
“Hey, Mrs. Cohen.”
