Conception (The Wellingtons #4) - Tessa Teevan Page 0,13
be the worst thing in the world. I’m not usually attracted to the arrogant, cocky type, especially not ones who think it’s copacetic to enter young women’s vehicles without permission. Yet there was something about him. Something that didn’t ping my Bundy radar—if that’s even a thing—and even more annoyingly, the way he seemed at such ease put me at ease. Definitely annoying.
Not wanting to waste any more time thinking of the man, and clearly too wired to nap, I crawl out of bed, pleasantly surprised when I rise to the sound of…nothing. I dart to the window to see that, while the sun isn’t shining, the rain’s ceased. I rush to the car, grab my luggage, and spend time getting my room situated for the summer. Grams told me I could use the master, but as it’s where my parents slept, I opt for the room I’ve always used.
Now that I’m freshly showered and eager to get to Mickey’s, I style my hair in a half-up, half-down fashion, with my bangs just skimming the tops of my eyebrows. I go for the minimal-makeup look: just a few swipes of mascara and a light-pink gloss for my lips. Like Mrs. Mayfield said, it’s blazing out, so I choose a pair of Daisy Dukes that accentuate my long legs and a teal tube top that’ll keep me cool.
There’s no such thing as modesty in a heat wave. That’s what I can hear Sunny telling me.
Knowing I’ll be drinking, I slip my thongs on and decide to walk to Mickey’s. I throw my house key into my purse, sling it over my shoulder, and head out. The moment I open the door, a blast of heat greets me. With one longing look towards the lake, which I’d kill to jump into right now, I turn the opposite way and head to the bar.
I’m barely through the door when a sweet Southern drawl—or perhaps a scream—pierces the night.
“Oh my god!” Sunny exclaims.
A huge grin spreads across my face as she dashes around the bar with her arms wide open.
“You’re here, Meems! You’re finally here!” She rushes at me with such enthusiasm that her embrace nearly knocks me off my feet.
I hug her back, and then she withdraws and studies me with a scrutiny that unnerves me.
“Girl, when the hell did you get so damn smokin’?”
A blush heats my cheeks. “It’s good to see you, Sunny.”
“It’s about damn time, girlfriend. Now come sit and tell me everything,” she insists.
I take a seat at the end of the bar, where Sunny claims is the best spot in the house. She pours me a drink, and I take a moment to check out the rest of the bar. She wasn’t kidding. I’m in the perfect position to scan the place, which is filled with what looks like a mixture of locals and summer folks all trying to escape the heat with air conditioning and ice-cold beverages.
Over the next couple of hours, Sunny and I catch up in between customers. It comes as no shock to me that she’s dating Joe, Mickey’s son. She and Joe were constantly bickering every summer throughout high school. Seeing as he was the guy who literally tugged her pigtails whenever she wore her hair in the style, I was fairly sure it was out of attraction, not that either of them would admit it. Apparently, one night at the drive-in, with one precisely kiss placed on the back of her neck, was all it took for Sunny to finally admit she had feelings for him. While part of me was looking forward to a summer of us palling around together as single gals, I’m more than pleased for her.
Which reminds me of Mr. Brown Eyes, but I shake the image of him out of my head.
“So, what’s the word on Robert?” she asks, and I inadvertently groan. She cocks an eyebrow. “That bad, huh?”
I use my straw to twirl the ice in my rum and Coke, trying not to make a face as I think about the last raging argument Robert and I had. “Ugh. I don’t want to talk about him tonight. Let’s just say I’ve been unlucky in the love department. I’m free as a bird. Ready to see where the wind takes me.”
Sunny holds her hands up. “Say no more.” Then a devious smile crosses her lips and it kind of scares me. “I know just what you need. It’s perfect, really. A summer fling.”