Page 65 of Faking it For Summer

“I know, but I just thought you would’ve grown into a more sophisticated drink.”

“Do I look like the sort of girl that wants to grow into a more sophisticated drink?” she says.

“No, I guess not.” I look around the bar. “It’s busy tonight. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen it this busy.”

“It’s summer,” Mia says by way of explanation. “It’s always busy in Coconut Beach in the summer.”

“I guess I just forgot,” I say, still thinking that it’s even busier than I remembered.

“Yeah, I guess because you haven’t been back home in ages.”

“Touché.” I frown at her tone.

She still has a smile on her face, but there’s something in her voice that makes me think she’s not joking one hundred percent. Is she upset that I haven’t been back to town recently? We still speak on the phone all the time, and yet she keeps bringing up my absence.

“So, Luke, tell me how the big city is treating you,” Preston says as he hands me the beer. “You know, my mom was reading the paper the other day, and she saw your name mentioned in some article.”

“She saw me?” I ask in surprise, not that I’ve been in the paper. I am always in the paper for brokering deals, but more that his mom saw one of the articles.

“She read an article about you, and I guess the company you work for.” He shrugs. “Can’t remember the details.”

“Oh, it’s no big deal.”

“Aren’t you one of the players in one of the biggest mergers that has occurred in the last twenty years?”

“I wouldn’t say that I’m personally in it, but I am helping to broker the deal for the hedge fund I work with.” I shouldn’t really say too much. “It’s outside my normal scope of work, which generally consists of investing billionaires’ funds in the international and domestic markets.”

“What is it exactly that you do?” he asks as he hands me Mia’s fruity, bright red drink.

She takes it eagerly, takes a gulp, and gets frosted ice all over her top lip. I’d love to lick it off.

“Well, I’m just a numbers guy.” I look away from her lips and back to Preston. “I make sure the numbers make sense whilealso working with legal to ensure any kickbacks or deals are within the realms of the law.”

“Sounds complicated.” Mia offers me a sweet little smile before taking another sip. “I get it though, your job has to be important because you’re always working.”

“I’m not always working.”

“Let’s be for real here, every time I talk to you, you’re usually at work.”

“Sometimes, I’m at home.”

“Yeah, that’s true. Sometimes, you’re at home, having just gotten off work. And we’ll chat for a bit before you have to get back to work.”

“Are you upset that I have a job?” I question her.

Her tone is light, but the comments seem pointed.

“Why would I be upset that you have a job?” She shrugs.

“I don’t know. I just?—”

“Hey, I’m not causing trouble in paradise, am I?” Preston holds up his hand and bows his head. “It’s the evening, and it’s a nice night. Enjoy the ambiance.”

“Thanks, Preston. Do you know if Louisa’s coming tonight?” I ask him, curious what’s going on there.

Mia gives me a look like I just got her in trouble, and I chug some of my beer in response.

“I think she is. I know Birdy wanted to talk to her about something, so I’m not one hundred percent sure she’s going to make it. I can call her and ask her if you want.”