It Happens in the Hamptons(20)

But Katie had never maintained she owed him zero. She never said she needed monumental amounts of this so-called space. And that nagged her back in Hood River, on the long plane ride, and even now in the store. Her close friend Ashley had advised her when she’d visited Hood River to help her pack, “What man pushes a woman to cross the country if he isn’t into her? He’s just acting cool by saying you get your space . . . maybe you’re giving him standoffish signals? Maybe you seem tentative about the summer in the Hamptons?”

“I’m sure I am, but I feel like I’m falling hard,” Katie told Ashley as she’d taped up boxes. “I want to go out for work and a new life for Huck and not count on this relationship. Yet sometimes, when I’m feeling challenged by mothering Huck alone, or missing Mom, I find myself getting hooked on George in a way that makes me nervous, especially when he’s all like, ‘Yeah, you got the cottage, I’m not out much.’” She’d stopped taping and just sat on a box for a moment, wondering out loud, “What the hell is he doing when he’s not out in the Hamptons much besides working?”

“Well, he’s probably working honestly. But try to fall hard when you spend a summer together, not before,” Ashley cautioned. “Go and keep your mind open about men in general. You can’t take care of yourself and Huck in this huge change if you let a man sway you too much. Don’t swing from intrepid to insecure. Go windsurf a lot out there to remind you of your strength. And the pieces will fall in your favor. I promise. You’re an independent woman, always have been. It’ll serve you out East.”

Independence can have broad meaning. Katie was living in George’s family cottage, beholden to him for that. She assumed they’d at least fall back into the initial pattern of dinner, a vodka or two, and sweaty, if a little too kinky, sex.

Good plan. Stick with that plan.

So why court trouble with this man studying the Maui Jim sunglass display case six feet down the aisle? She’d never been very good at paying heed to life’s silly rules. Katie knew herself, and the strange pull she felt toward this man was potent.

She hesitated at the shark tooth display. Perhaps she could come up with a reason to ask the guy a “man” question about shark fishing or boats.

Katie then backtracked a little—what was she going to ask, what is the best kind of shark tooth to own? There were hundreds of little necklaces in the basket to choose from. The plastic packages weren’t even labeled, and all the teeth looked the same.

Katie longed to call Ashley: You sure it’s not bad that George isn’t even here for my first week? Or is it good to settle in with my ornery ways?

And a far more pressing question: Is this other guy bizarrely cute, or am I crazy?

“All kids like those necklaces, good choice,” the man said, watching Katie and Huck take several more out of the basket. His voice was kind.

She looked at him, her green eyes against her fair skin translucent in the fluorescent lighting in the store. “I, uh, it’s just a little gift. He’s tired.” He looked a few years older than her twenty-nine years.

Luke smiled back at her, as he pulled his longish, dark hair over his ear. He played with his cleft chin, considering her beauty, and whether it would silence him. Maybe he could come up with a witty joke on the fly.

“All kids get tired at this hour.” He thought to himself, Stupid move, if the kid was tired, then he couldn’t show them the ice cream store next door.

“Yeah, it’s just a little gift,” she answered. Couldn’t she think of something about the town, then maybe he’d have to explain, then show her in person?

“Mom. We decided. Can we go now? Can I wear it?”

Katie kneeled down to kiss Huck. Talking to this man wasn’t wise on many fronts, she told herself again, unconvincingly. She turned to him, wishing she’d thought of a shark tooth question after all. “So anyway, I guess we’ll buy it.”

“Yeah, it’s a good choice,” he answered, wondering why he couldn’t be more like a suave Casanova in situations like this. Kona would be whispering sweet Hawaiian nothings into her ear, and pouring her a glass of red wine by now.

They stood there for a long pause, neither having any idea how to keep talking.

“So, anyway, thanks,” said Katie, looking at his gorgeous cheekbones and full lips.

“Yeah, anytime.” Finally, Luke got up some nerve. “You from here?”

“Not at all,” she smiled. “From out West.”

“Got it. And you’re visiting or . . .”

“Here. For the summer.”