“Well, can we not mention climate change? Or Greta Thunberg or any of that when we get there tonight?”
“I didn’t bring it up. He did,” she said as she searched for the key to the cottage Mimi had given her earlier.
“Doesn’t matter. Smile and nod next time, okay? Can’t you let someone else feel like the smartest person in the room for a change?”
“If they are the smartest person in the room, yeah. But the dude literally told me that humans are not responsible for climate change, which is...stupid. Obviously, he hasn’t studied the evidence.”
“So? His dad probably owns shares in ExxonMobil or something.”
“It matters,” she snapped. “If we don’t do something to stop global warming, Earth could soon be as hot as Venus.”
“How hot is Venus?” he asked in spite of himself.
Taylor moved from the table to the counter and lifted the mail piled on top of it. “Hot enough to melt lead.”
“Just...stay away from Penn tonight,” he said in exasperation. “I don’t want you screwing up our summer.”
She still hadn’t come up with the key. “I’ll do my best, but if he starts in on that subject again, I won’t be able to stop myself.”
“Let Sierra handle it, then. She’s even worse than you are. She told me the meat industry is causing global warming.”
At last, she spotted the key. It had slid off the counter onto the floor. “It is,” she said matter-of-factly.
“I don’t care. I don’t want to talk about that,” he said and walked out ahead of her. She knew he was frustrated, but she was relieved. At least he’d quit pushing to find out who she wanted to impress.
There was no way she’d ever tell him.
There was no way she’d ever tell anyone.
6
Autumn glanced around the restaurant as they sat down. Uncle Chris had met them out front, where he’d given her a big hug. Now he was telling her about the loggerhead turtle he’d found on the beach early this morning and quickly sketched, and she was listening to his plans to paint it. But she was also wondering if there was any chance she could get through this meal without having to see Quinn. After all, that he was helping his father with the restaurant could mean many things. He could be doing the accounting, the food sourcing, the prepping or the cooking—none of which would necessarily put him into direct contact with diners. He might even have the night off.
She breathed a sigh of relief when a young woman approached their table and said she was Erin and would be taking care of them tonight. Quinn wouldn’t be waiting on them, at least.
“Thank you,” Autumn murmured as Erin handed them each a menu and began to rattle off the nightly specials.
“Oh, the scallops sound divine,” Laurie gushed. “I think I’ll have those.”
Mary lowered her menu. “You’re not going to get the blue crab?”
“Not this time. They do a great job with the crab, especially in the salad. But I’m in the mood for scallops.”
“The salmon looks good to me,” Uncle Chris announced. “What about you?”
Autumn felt his gaze, but she didn’t have an answer. She’d been too busy searching out the people who were working at the restaurant and hadn’t been completely focused on selecting her meal. “Um... I’ll probably stick with the crab salad. I’ve been looking forward to it for months.”
Someone besides Erin brought them water, but their waitress returned after a few minutes. “Are you ready to order?”
They all stuck with what they’d initially mentioned, but Aunt Laurie stopped Erin before she could leave. “Is Mike in?”
“He is. He’s cooking tonight.”
“What about Quinn?”
Autumn tensed.
“He’s here, too,” Erin said, “helping out in the back.”
“Can you let him know Autumn’s in town and would like to say hello?”
No! Autumn felt her stomach drop. Damn it! Her outgoing, gregarious aunt was just being nice. Laurie probably didn’t know, or remember, that Autumn and Quinn had a bit of history. But Autumn wished she’d mind her own business.
“Of course,” Erin responded. “I’m sure he’ll be out in a few minutes.”
“Quinn’s here!” Laurie announced as if Autumn hadn’t heard the entire exchange and it was going to be such a treat for her to see him.
Autumn forced a smile. “It’s busy in here tonight. I’d rather not disturb him.”
“He won’t mind taking a few seconds. You two went to school together, didn’t you?”
Her mother sent her an apologetic look. No doubt she could tell Autumn wasn’t excited about what Laurie had just done. Mary would never have made the same mistake. She listened to the subtext of a conversation and watched those who were speaking. In most instances, except those when her own fears and limitations kicked in, she knew what to do and what not to do, while her far less intuitive sister bowled ahead, regardless.
Autumn reminded herself that Laurie’s intentions were good as she confirmed that she and Quinn had indeed attended the same high school, one year apart from each other. But Laurie’s intentions didn’t make it any less awkward when, shortly after their food arrived and right when she had a mouthful of crab, Quinn appeared at their table—as requested.
“Hello. It’s nice to see you,” he said, greeting them all before focusing on her. “Wow, it’s been a long time, Autumn. How are you?”
The food in her mouth went down as a hard lump. He hadn’t aged at all. His dark hair, with the cowlick in front that swept it up off his forehead, looked as thick and silky as ever. Between that, his dimples and his straight, white teeth, he looked so much like JFK Jr. she couldn’t help thinking he should’ve been born a Kennedy. Except that his eyes were blue and not brown. “I’m doing great. You?”
“Hanging in there. Are you here for the summer or—”
“Just for the summer.” She wondered if he’d heard that her husband had gone missing—and, if he had, whether he’d mention it. To show they cared, most people she knew, especially here, asked her if she’d heard anything, and she had to explain, over and over, that there’d been no news. But if Quinn brought up that subject, it would be natural for her to inquire about his partner, or former partner, and she had a feeling he’d try to avoid that.
Sure enough, he asked about her children instead. “Did you bring the kids with you? Or are they old enough now to be working for the summer at home?”