I let out an awkward laugh, not knowing how else to respond. “It’s nice to meet you, Herkle.”
“Will I be seeing you at the next Encha—”
Charlotte gives him a wave, cutting him off, while starting to drive forward again. “Not yet, Herk. In time.” Then she faces forward, leaving me confused, and drives through the open doors of the gate.
“What was he talking about, Charlotte?”
Charlotte shrugs and tosses me a smile. “There’s a weekly event Rose runs. Kind of like a town hall meeting but a bit more exclusive. You’ll attend one soon enough.”
I don’t want to speak my thoughts aloud. The last thing I want to do is attend a town hall event. What would be the purpose of that?
Large overgrown trees shade the winding pathway for what feels like miles before the branches thin out and I’m able to see the sky again. My jaw drops at what opens up before me. Among Greek-inspired buildings with a contemporary spin, temple structures make up office buildings. There are outdoor restaurants, a shopping center, and a large stadium, which holds what appears to be an athletic center of some sort, with tennis courts, basketball hoops, a track, and a pool. It’s like we’ve entered some sort of ancient Greek paradise.
“Pretty cool, huh?” Charlotte is staring back at me with a smile that lights up her entire face. Obviously, she’s proud of what my grandparents created.
I’m still wrapping my brain around the fact that my family owns everything in this town. No wonder that Alec kid knew who I was before I ever introduced myself. What else does everyone know?
“Where would you like to go first? Perhaps we’ll start by getting you a nice dress for your birthday.”
The mention of my birthday throws off my mood some. “Why would I need a dress for that? I don’t have plans.”
Charlotte’s eyes widen. “Oh my. Rose didn’t tell you?”
I scrunch my face, confused yet again. “Tell me what? I’ve barely spoken with her.”
“Your eighteenth birthday is a big deal, not just because of your age, but because this year, it falls on the summer solstice. We always have an elaborate party to celebrate the summer solstice.” Her eyes are so big and bright, I feel like I’m supposed to make some sort of connection.
“Um, okay.” I say the words slowly, trying to make sense of something. But I’m only growing more frustrated with all the secrets and insinuations that there’s something big I’m missing. “I don’t plan on celebrating my birthday. Whatever plans Rose has, she can cancel.”
Charlotte makes a noise in the back of her throat, clearly frustrated with me. “Kat, please,” she says almost desperately. “You have no idea how big of a deal this is. To your grandmother. To the town. To you—” Her face relaxes some. “Please, just humor me today. Let me get you a dress. Or, if you’d like, pick out some fabric, and I can make you one myself.”
Charlotte’s craft room is beginning to make sense. I let out a heavy breath, knowing my stubborn nature isn’t doing anyone any good.
But when is any of this going to start making sense? Why does it always feel like I’m missing something important? I let out a sigh. “Okay. I guess a new dress won’t kill me.”
Charlotte’s lids widen at my surrender. “Really?” She claps her hands together. “I know just the perfect place to start.”
One gorgeous green dress, a pair of silver heels, and a pair of tiny diamond earrings later, Charlotte is still trying to convince me to get something in every store we go into—swimming suits, workout clothes, and casual outfits for whatever. I refuse all of it.
We’re setting our purchases in the car when Charlotte tilts her head at me. “I don’t suppose I can talk you into getting a mani-pedi with me, can I?”
Biting down on my smile, I shake my head then point at the three-building structure behind her with the columns that line the center building and curved stairs wrapping both sides. “Actually, I kind of wanted to check out the library.”
Charlotte looks over at it then shrugs. “Okay.” She fishes something out of her purse then hands me a plastic library card. “You’ll need this. Meet me at Island Grille when you’re done.” She turns and points across the grassy courtyard that takes up the center of the island. “It’s right down that gravel drive next to the marina. You can’t miss it.”
“Okay. In an hour?”
She nods. “See you then. Bring your appetite,” she calls as she walks off, her hair flying around her face in the breeze.
I cross the street toward the library, in awe once again of the detail put into these replica structures. My mom never mentioned how obsessed Rose was with her Greek ancestry, but it’s all starting to come to light now. Between all the Summer-owned properties, Rose’s home, and the touches of her heritage sprinkled throughout, my curiosity was piqued enough to want to know more.
I’m halfway across the street when I hear an engine getting louder as it gains speed down the main drive. I look over to find a red Audi convertible heading straight for me. The driver’s eyes are pinned on me like I’m a target on a crash test she can’t wait to nail, and her friend is laughing maniacally in the passenger seat.
What the—?
My heart speeds as I think quickly. I don’t know whether to run backward or forward in an attempt to save myself from harm. All I know is that the woman behind the wheel has no intention of slowing. If anything, she’s speeding up. Her chin tilts down, her eyes narrow, and her fingers lift before regripping the wheel.
I’m running out of time, and I can’t help but think about my mom and wonder if this is how she felt in those final moments before she was struck.
Maybe this is how I die too.
I snap out of my haunting thoughts just long enough to make a decision to sprint forward, but after one step, I realize there’s no time to run from the quickly approaching vehicle. Instead, I use all the energy I can muster to leap out of the street.
I didn’t anticipate my strength. I fly through the air, clearing the street and sidewalk completely, then lose all control as I try to get my feet beneath me for the landing. My toes touch down on the grass, but I’m leaning too far forward. Momentum pushes me hard onto my knees, and I roll until the towering statue of Athena stops me.
“Oomph.” All the air leaves my body, just as I hear the squeal of tires from applied brakes.
I look up to find two familiar-looking girls in the car, one with light brown hair, the other blond. “Sorry about that!” the blond girl in the driver's seat calls out. “I hope I didn’t hurt you.” The laughter in her voice tells me I shouldn’t believe her. Then she speeds away with her friend hollering with laughter beside her.
I roll my eyes and stand up, dusting grass and dirt from my black shorts and tank top. Now I remember where I know those girls from. They were at the volleyball game, cheering on Alec and Brett. I had a feeling they were trouble even then. The near hit and run incident just solidified it.
After checking my body to make sure they didn’t do any real damage, I confirm all my bones are intact. In fact, there’s not even a scratch on me. I blow out an annoyed breath and climb the steps to the library then stop immediately once inside.