The Vineyard Remains: A Novel by Addison McKnight

Author:Addison McKnight [McKnight, Addison]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Published: 2024-03-12T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Four

KIKI

Labor Day Weekend 2013

“I really wish you hadn’t dragged me here,” Kiki complained to Andrew as they elbowed their way toward the bar, through the line of tourists waiting for a table at Nancy’s Restaurant in Oak Bluffs. The smell of fried fish wafted in the air, and the loud music mixed with the roar of laughter and conversation drowned out her words.

“Oh, please! Bo has Mila, and you can’t keep sitting home alone crying. You need to get out more!” Andrew said as he squeezed his skinny frame onto a barstool. Kiki grabbed the one next to him and reached for the extensive drink menu. Andrew was right; the summer had come and gone, and she had spent most of it isolating herself in misery.

Andrew clutched her hand. “I told you that hot guy who flirts with me at the bank always cashes paychecks from here, right? I’m hoping he’s a bartender,” he said, crossing his legs and leaning in to peruse the drink list.

An attractive young man put cocktail napkins in front of them. “What can I get you?” he asked with a grin.

“We’ll have two Patrón margaritas, no salt, and fresh lime juice.” Andrew delivered the instructions with a flirtatious smile. “That’s not my crush, Jeremy, but he’ll do,” he said after the bartender left. “Speaking of which, what about that guy Pete that always comes into the bank? I heard him ask you to meet him for a drink after work last week. He’s been hitting on you for a year. When are you going to go out with him?”

Kiki ignored his question and gazed at the crowd of happy vacationers. The Vineyard changed so much over the summer, as rich, drunk people took over the bars and restaurants, beaches and streets, their cheeks pink with sunburn, their bodies cloaked in Vineyard Vines and Black Dog T-shirts. She longed for the happiness they all seemed to embody.

“I think you should have a makeover and land a new, rich husband who will make Bo jealous,” Andrew said.

Kiki forced a small smile. “Bo won’t be jealous. After all, he lives with Angela now.” She looked at Andrew’s sympathetic face.

“He does?” Andrew asked in shock.

“Oh yes, did I forget to tell you that?” Kiki said.

“And why can’t he just stay in his parents’ shed? After he thought it was good enough for you and his newborn child,” Andrew said, the pitch of his voice rising with his eyebrows.

“Supposedly his parents have rented it out for the summer,” Kiki said with an eye roll. “Who knows if that’s even true or not.”

“Okay, well, put that all behind you, and focus on becoming the new Kiki,” Andrew said with a wide smile.

“I can’t afford a makeover.”

“Well, we definitely need to get you some makeup, my treat!” he said.

Two drinks later, Kiki was half listening to Andrew drone on about what eye-shadow palette she should use when she saw someone coming into the restaurant from the outer deck. Her heart skipped a beat.

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