6/12/17

"WHERE ARE WE going again?" I ask before swiping my cherry chapstick across my lips. My pale skin is a little crispy with the constant days in the sun and my poor lips are burnt from yesterday's pizza date on the beach.

Grayson decided we needed pizza to complete our day and had her wonderful boyfriend pick us up some extra cheesy pizza and garlic knots and drop it off to us. We let the ocean breeze, the cheesy goodness, and the homemade sangria lull us into a full on coma as we laid on our towels and enjoyed the hot sun and salty air.

We stayed there all day until the sun began to fall into the ocean, until the air began to cool and send goosebumps over our arms, and until the sky melted into a warm pink and blue swirl reminiscent of cotton candy. The day was perfect, and every day this summer could be just like that and I would be content because I had my best friends by my side laughing and enjoying life together.

But I am still getting adjusted to spending so much time on the beach, day after day, so of course my northern born skin has been seeing it's fair share of aloe over the past two weeks.

"Abbiocco," Grayson answers my question. She keeps her blue eyes trained on the road ahead as she drives me and Hayley towards the downtown area of this cute little beach town I've quickly grown fond of.

"They have the best bellinis," Hayley groans with a wide smile spread across her freckled cheeks. The fruity peach drink has been one of her staple happy hour drinks since I moved in two years ago. But she constantly tells me how no other drink will ever compare to the ones she had here.

"It's an Italian restaurant and the owner has known me and my sister for years," Grayson continues ignoring Hayley with a playful roll of her eyes. "She's practically family. You'll absolutely adore her," she says confidently with a bright smile pulling across her face.

My stomach growls quietly at the idea of some good food. I only ate a piece of toast this morning to help stop the wave of nausea from consuming me after having one too many glasses of sangria yesterday. "I never say no to pasta," I tell them as I lean forward placing my elbows on my knees letting my sundress bunch around my thighs.

Hayley flips around in the passenger seat at my words. "Good, cause I don't associate with people who don't like pasta," she says with a mock glare that makes a giggle bubble up from my throat at her theatrics.

"Aren't we lucky she chose us as friends Maxine?" Grayson asks with a teasing tone as she pulls up near the side of a surf shop. Parking down here is minimal so whenever we can find a spot we just take it and walk wherever we need to go. Plus the downtown area isn't too big so it's no more than an easy fifteen minute walk end to end.

I press the red button of my seatbelt with a click to release it. "The luckiest," I sing in a mocking tone.

But I really am the luckiest. These two amazing women have given me the friendship I always dreamed of having as a little girl. Being an only child wasn't always easy and loneliness ate away at me especially when my father left. But my friends love me and support me and always want what's best for me. Hayley's infectious personality always makes me smile and she knows how to make me laugh even in my darkest of moods. Plus she makes a damn good margarita. Grayson is the one that gives me strength and is my shoulder to cry on. She gives amazing advice and always knows what to say no matter the situation at hand.

Hayley grabs her small crossbody purse from the floor of the car near her feet before turning to us. "I know you're being sarcastic and all, but I'm still going to agree because you are damn lucky I'm in your lives and don't ever pretend otherwise," she states with a flip of her dark hair before tossing us a wink.

"We would never," Grayson assures her as we climb out of the car and our boisterous laughter fills the summer air between the three of us. The doors slam shut behind us, and we walk up to the parking meter and push in the random coins we all have stuffed into our purses at all times for moments like this.

After we feed the meter so we are in the clear for the next few hours we begin to walk down the wide sidewalk. Hayley slides between the two of us and links her arms through ours. "Remember when you two hated each other?" she laughs as if even the idea of us all not being friends is hilarious and the furthest thing from believable.

I lift a hand in defense. "Hey, I never hated Gray," I state in rebuttal with a tilt of my head.

Grayson grimaces as a faint flush fills her cheeks. "Yeah, sorry I was kind of a bitch back then," she says sinking into herself as she cringes at the memory.

"Kind of?" Hayley jokes with a sarcastic tone and a raise of her eyebrows.

Grayson narrows her eyes and sticks her tongue out at Hayley. "Okay, majorly. But I learned my lesson and listened to you about how amazing Maxine is and look at us now," she finishes bumping her hips against Hayley's who bumps hers against mine with a giddy smile.

"It's okay," I promise her. "I wouldn't have it any other way," I voice honestly.

And I wouldn't.

Because Grayson had to leave that summer I was able to stay in Chicago and meet Hayley. Because I met Hayley I gained a friend for life. We quickly moved from roommates to friends over late night movie marathons, our love of trashy reality tv, and her insane cocktail skills. Because of that summer I was able to move into an apartment for the upcoming school year and become friends with Grayson. She peeled back her harsh exterior and let me in and showed me her love and loyalty.

Everything happens for a reason, and because of that summer two years ago I now have them in my life and I wouldn't change how it happened for the world.

We walk up to the small brick bistro and we step inside the gorgeous little restaurant. The smell of freshly made pasta and garlic instantly overwhelms me as I take in the cozy atmosphere.

"Grayson!" A warm voice calls out and my attention falls to the short elderly woman rushing over and wrapping her arms around my friend.

A smile radiates over the woman's face as she squeezes Grayson tightly. Her long dark hair is pulled back into an intricate braid and greying on the edges near her kind face.

"How are you?" she asks as her thick Italian accent pours out like honey making her seem even more warm and motherly.

"I'm doing great," she answers honestly because she is doing amazing. She's finally with the man she loves and living in the town she's always wanted to create a life in.

Grayson turns to face us. "Adela this is Maxine," she motions to me and before she can get another word out the elderly lady walks over and pulls me into a hug. Her strength surprises me, and she smells like a bushel of freshly picked herbs and sunshine that I can't help but relax into her arms.

"It's so nice to meet you," she says pulling back and flashing me a wonderfully bright smile. "Any friend of Grayson's is a friend of mine," she tells me as her hands lift to cup my face. The wrinkles around her eyes deepen when she smiles and the gold bangles around her wrists jingle with her movements.

"I'm excited to be here," I tell her, returning the contagious smile and energy that seems to fall off of her in waves.

Grayson then steps forward. "And you remember Hayley," she says next with a gesture towards the brunette beauty between us.

"Of course!" she exclaims. "I've already made sure we are stocked up on the fresh peach purée for the bellinis."

"I love you so much," Hayley gushes, sounding like she's about to cry as she steps forward and hugs the woman tightly.

We all giggle at her dramatics, but Adela only pulls her in closer. I've only just met this woman but I can tell she makes any room she's in feel like home with her warm and nurturing smile.

She steps away from Hayley and leans over to the host stand to grab a few leather bound menus before turning to us. "Well come on over I already have a table all set up for you," she says with a wave of her hand and a chime of her bracelets.

We follow her as we walk past the bar and through the main dining room until we reach the outside patio. My eyes take it all in as a silent, "Wow," falls from my parted lips. Flowers sit everywhere and tiny lights hang from the awning perfect for when the sun begins to set. It's breathtakingly beautiful out here, and the view of the small boardwalk and blue ocean only adds to the ambiance.

She flutters her hands for us to sit reminding me of my grandma who always wants to feed me when I visit her.

"Drinks are on their way and your waiter will be here in a few moments," she says as she sets a menu before each of us.

Grayson catches her hand before she leaves and holds it for a moment. "Thank you," she says so faintly I almost miss it.

Adela places her free hand on top of their clasped ones. "Always mia figlia," she tells her before bending down and placing a quick kiss on her cheek. She then steps away and tells us all to enjoy our meals and heads back into the restaurant.

Hayley leans towards me. "She always calls her my daughter," she explains in a soft tone to me.

My heart practically squeezes in my chest. "That's so sweet," I say sincerely as I voice my thoughts out loud.

Grayson turns to face us with tender eyes lined with tears. "She's honestly the best," she sniffs and I know she's trying to get her emotions under control. Even though she has been living down here for almost a month now it's been filled with moving and unpacking and settling into her new place with Cale. Their place is outside the town a bit and closer to the city where he works so she hasn't had a moment to stop in and say hello. I know today meant a lot to her. "I just love her," she adds laughing off the tears that want to fall with a shake of her head.

Before we know it the bartender comes by to drop off our drinks and the three of us raise the champagne flutes into the air. We look at Hayley to start the signature toast that we always do when we're together and feeling celebratory.

"We drink to those who love us," she begins with a grin tugging at her lips.

"We drink to those who don't," I continue flickering my gaze over to Grayson.

"We drink to those who fuck us," Grayson says.

"And fuck those who don't!" We all cheer at once with humour clear in our voices. Thank goodness the patio is empty besides us so we don't feel bad about cursing in public.

Our glasses clink together and we all take a long pull of the drink. The sweet bubbly bellini slides down with ease and I take an extra pull right away loving the way it tastes.

"Okay you were right," I concede to Hayley as my tongue darts out to collect a stray droplet of the drink off my bottom lip. "This is amazing."

"Right?" she shouts excitingly before tipping her glass back and sipping more.

"Afternoon ladies," a friendly voice says from beside me. I look up and all I can see are perfectly placed dimples and curly hair that's windblown and flawless.

"Hey Finn," Grayson greets with a soft smile but I notice the way her eyes are guarded and the way her shoulders stiffen all of the sudden. My eyes lift back up to the mystery man who my friend obviously knows.

"You back for the summer?" he asks her, letting his pen tap against the notepad in his hand. He seems calm and not affected by her presence unlike Grayson who seems somewhat tense around him.

"Yeah and I dragged my friends along with me," she says as her blue eyes trail over us and at the sight of us she instantly softens. Almost as if she just needed to remember she has us by her side and she doesn't need to stress because we will always have her back.

"Well glad you came by cause Adela always lights up when you come around," he tell hers earnestly. "And I can see she already got you some drinks," he chuckles and the sound tugs a smile onto my face for some unknown reason.

"Yeah," Grayson trails as she drops her gaze to the table. My forehead wrinkles as confusion stirs within me as my eyes raise to the man who looks completely harmless.

"Anyways," he starts with a click of his pen as he changes the direction of the conversation. "Welcome. I'll go get bread for the table and glasses of water as well, and then I can get your appetizer order in when I come back," he tells us with ease before tucking his notepad and pen into the black apron tied around his waist.

We all thank him before he turns and walks away from our table.

Grayson sits back in her chair with a huff. "I always forget he works here," she murmurs as she tucks a piece of blonde hair behind her ear.

"Who is he?" I ask not sure why she suddenly clammed up.

"Max's friend," Hayley informs me with a slight grimace.

"Ooh," I hiss through pursed lips.

I never met Max, but I heard all about him when Grayson moved back in. We drank at least six bottles of wine that night as Grayson told me the full story of her summer down here in Easton. Of course Hayley was there to add colorful commentary when needed, and I sat there and listened as she bared her heart and told me about a heartbreak I never wish to experience myself.

Grayson dated Max a couple years ago before she ended up with her current boyfriend Cale. She always says she doesn't regret their relationship because she learned a lot from him, but I know she regrets the way she hurt him in the end.

So it all makes sense now why she was being so awkward before because one of Max's friends just happens to be our waiter. I can only imagine what Grayson is feeling in this moment, because she truly never wants to hurt anyone around her. She seems harder than the rest of us but she really is a big softy at heart and wants the best for everyone around her so I can only assume the way she still hurts when she thinks about the way her and Max ended things. The way Max probably spoke about her to Finn.

"Yeah," she trails before lifting her glass and downing the rest of her drink in a single gulp.

"He's cute though," Hayley comments as her gaze remains set on the restaurant. The floor to ceiling windows in the building are all open so the customers inside can see and feel the ocean breeze, and we have a full view inside meaning Hayley is openly watching Finn deliver food to another table.

My finger traces the lip of the chilled glass in front of me. "Yeah," I agree easily because he is. There's no denying it. Finn is the definition of cute.

But as soon as the word leaves my mouth I know it's a mistake because Hayley's eyes are on me in seconds and shining with a mischief I've learned to detest. "Maxine you should ask him out!" she shouts encouragely under her breath trying not to be too loud so he won't hear us.

"What?" I bark out uncomfortably. "No, no, no, no, no," I repeat shaking my head. I do not want to be set up, even with the cute waiter, because I'm terrible at flirting and dating and everything to do with boys in general.

"Yes!" she pushes back. "We could do a group date," she says with eagerness pouring out of her. Ever since her and Grayson went on their double date a couple days ago she's been trying to find me a man so I don't feel left out this summer.

But little do they know I wasn't left out that night because Colt came over.

He irritates me and pisses me off and is far too crude for my taste, but I will admit he's nice to look at.

He's not kind and cute. He's blunt and mouthwateringly sexy. The exact kind of man I know to stay away from, but something about him draws me in and I hate the way my skin burns even at the memory of a harmless movie night together. Nothing even happened. We didn't even touch each other, and yet here I am getting all hot and bothered by the way his dark eyes sparkle with a devilish glint when they land on me. The way his hair looks soft as silk and curls around his ears when it's wet from the ocean. The way a smirk is always painted across his perfectly pink lips.

I swallow trying to wet my suddenly dry throat. "I don't think that's a good idea," I tell her, trying to ignore the flush that heats my neck at the stupid thoughts of Colt Hasting.

"Why not? He's super cute and so nice," she tells me as if I would be dumb to say no to this guy. But I'm not saying no to the nice guy I'm saying no to this insane idea she just cooked up.

"I get really awkward on dates," I explain truthfully with a lift of my peeling shoulders. I'm not good at keeping conversations going with strangers, and I clam up under the pressure to keep my answers thoughtful and engaging enough so I can impress the guy I'm with even though he's done nothing to impress me yet.

"We can be there to help out then," Grayson adds and I stifle a groan knowing if she's in on it then I won't be able to back out.

"A date is too much pressure," I tell them trying to brush off this conversation, but with my two best friends working together I know it's practically useless.

"Okay, then why don't we all go out this weekend casually," Hayley suggests emphasizing the last word and I have to stop myself from rolling my eyes because nothing about this woman is casual in the slightest.

"We have been wanting to go to that club near the city, and I'm pretty sure they are doing a nineties night on Saturday," Grayson adds as if she just happens to have this information on hand. My stormy blue eyes glare at her because I know this is something they've been obviously working on the last couple days in secret. They might not have planned on their pick being Finn, but it's definitely something they've been cooking up.

But I can't even truly get mad at them because it's all being done out of love. Crazy-in-your-face-we-have-no-boundaries-love, but love nonetheless. They are happy and want to see me happy, and I can't fault them for caring about me. 

Hayley's grin widens as she nods like a bobble head. "Oh fun!" Hayley says and I want to laugh at the way she tries to act surprised by the suggestion Grayson proposed.

I roll my eyes lightheartedly as laughter escapes my lips. "I guess that could be fun," I surrender before a gust of wind lifts the ends of my hair letting the red ends dance in the air.

"She's so in," Hayley cheers directing her words at Grayson as she claps loudly at their accomplishment. And I know with all my heart I could never get annoyed with their antics because I love them too damn much.

But then a single thought causes the smile on my face to drop as insecurity winds its way through my veins. "He might not even be interested. What if he says no—" I start but my words quickly die off when I hear footsteps heading towards us and Grayson widens her eyes and shakes her head sharply to tell me to stop talking right this second.

"Finn hey," she greets him a lot more at ease now as he sets down the bread basket and olive oil onto our table along with our waters.

"Do you want another round of drinks?" he asks, pointing the tip of his pen at our glasses that are now completely empty at this point. The slight buzz is there because my stomach is practically empty, but the drink tastes like pure juice making it too easy to toss back.

Grayson ignores his question before a sly grin lifts her cheeks. "Do you have plans this weekend?" she asks trying to sound casual when this entire situation is anything but that. My cheeks flush and I duck my gaze to focus on the menu in front of me.

He pauses for a moment, and the hesitation forces me to lift my gaze to see his brown ones narrow slightly as if curious as to where this line of questioning is going. "No, I'm actually off. Why?" he questions slowly.

Hayley sits up straighter beside me as if his response perked her up. "We were thinking of having a fun night out you know since Maxine's never been to Easton before," she begins effortlessly laying out the groundwork before going in for the kill. "And we thought you should come with us," she says and I instantly cringe at her words even though they sound smooth. I know the intention behind them and I don't know how to remain calm anymore.

His eyes fall to me and I know my sunburnt cheeks are even more red in this moment, and I wince preparing myself for the rejection that usually comes. I don't think I'm ugly, but I'm not outgoing like Hayley or strong like Grayson. I'm just me and I'm far from a man magnet.

But a soft smile tugs at his mouth. "When?" he asks but he's looking directly at me now and butterflies erupt in my stomach at the fact he hasn't said no yet.

"Saturday," I tell him softly as I remain on edge.

He looks up for a moment as if thinking over his schedule and then his gaze locks on me. "I'm free," he finally says and relief floods my chest helping to calm down my thundering heart.

"Cool," I say though I feel anything but cool in this moment.

I hear the clicking of a pen from beside me and see Hayley writing something onto the white cocktail napkin in front of her. She then looks up and lifts the napkin towards Finn.

"That's Maxine's number," she says confidently and the faint embarrassment I was feeling before comes back in full force and I'm shooting her a death glare. "Text her for the details," she tells him.

"Great," he comments and sounds genuine when speaking, which is my only saving grace at this moment when I feel like I'm drowning in humiliation. "I'll definitely text you," he tells me as he tucks the now folded napkin into his pocket.

"Cool," I repeat lamely not knowing what else to say at this moment.

"Well I'll get you another round and do you want to start with an appetizer?" he asks though this time he doesn't look directly to Grayson for the answer he looks at me and it makes my body warm even more than the sun shining on us.

I glance at my friend not knowing what to order since I've never been here before.

"We'll start with the bruschetta for now," she tells him though the smile on her lips tells me she saw the way he was watching me.

"I'll go get that in for you," he tells me with a smile before walking away from our table.

A loud gasp flies from me as I look at the woman who I call my friends in front of me with a death glare. "I cannot believe you guys," I whisper yell at them.

"That was perfect," Grayson says as if I have nothing to be embarrassed by.

"He's perfect for you Maxine," Hayley says next practically bouncing up and down in her seat.

"I need ten more drinks," I sigh as I let my head fall into my hands. "I deserve those drinks," I correct myself.

"After that you definitely do," Grayson agrees.

I lift my head as another thought strikes me. "What will I wear?" I ask knowing nothing I brought is cute enough to impress a guy.

Hayley tosses her head back and laughs as dismisses my worries with a wave. "We got you covered," she assures me and I relax knowing not to panic because Hayley has immaculate taste in fashion. "We'll make sure you're the only girl he can see."

I smile at those words. Because I've never been someone that people can't take their eyes off of. Maybe when I was stripping, but that's because I was taking my clothes off. No one in the real world has ever looked at me like the world has faded away and I'm the only person they can see at the end of the tunnel.

An image of Colt's dark eyes flash in my mind, but with a shake of my head I quickly shove it away and focus on the cute waiter and the fun this weekend is bound to bring.