Chapter 30
But it was too late. Amanda was already inside, the screen door slapping shut behind her. Marlene sat back in her chair and studied Tara over the top of her own drink, a satisfied smile toying with the corners of her mouth. “God, look at you,” she said finally with a sigh. “All grown up. You look just like your mother, you know that? Very pretty, too. So tell me, anyone special in your life? Or did you come here hoping to find a summer romance?”
“Mom!” Amanda kicked open the screen door, two slushy drinks in her hands. She handed one to Tara and kept the other for herself. “What’d I tell you? No playing matchmaker while she’s here.”
Aunt Marlene started, “I’m just asking—”
“Well, don’t,” Amanda snapped, taking her seat again. “Tara doesn’t want to be set up with any of your charity cases.”
“Paul is nota charity case.” Turning to Tara, Marlene explained, “He’s a charming man, divorced, no kids, twenty years younger than me or I’d snatch him up myself, but just right for you. I can have him over for dinner, if you want—”
“He’s balding and gross,” Amanda interrupted. “I’m sure Tara’s dating someone. Isn’t that right?” She looked at Tara and widened her eyes in a way that said, If not, lie and say yes.
Tara hedged, “Um, look, I really appreciate it, and I’m sure he’s really nice—”
“He’s great,” Marlene assured her. “You’ll love him.”
“Youlove him,” Amanda muttered under her breath.
“But I just got here,” Tara continued. “Can we maybe talk about this later? After I’ve had a chance to settle in a bit?”
Aunt Marlene nodded. “Oh sure, sure. I’ll invite him over what, Friday, then? How’s that sound? You’ll need a plus one for the wedding, anyway.”
Tara took a large gulp of her margarita to keep from saying anything she might later regret. Was it too early to leave already?
* * * *
Aunt Marlene might have wanted to stay out on the porch all night catching up on the last twenty years, but the drive really hadworn Tara out. She couldn’t even finish her second margarita before she was begging off, apologizing for being such a lightweight. “It’s perfectly fine,” Marlene assured her. “Amanda has to call it an early night, too. Duty calls. You girls turn in. I’ll finish off my drink and be in shortly. Here—let me have the rest of yours, too. Can’t let it go to waste.”
Leading the way inside the house, Amanda gave Tara a quick tour. Downstairs was the living room, dining room, bathroom, and a kitchen with a back porch that led out into a fenced-in backyard with an inground pool. “If you can’t get to the beach,” Amanda said, “at least come out here during the day and get some sun. No shade. You’ll tan up in no time.”
“I get it,” Tara griped. “I’m a little pale.”
With a roll of her eyes, Amanda drawled, “Girl, I’m a little pale in December. You make me want to break out a box of crayons.”
Tara didn’t think she looked thatbad, but she pressed her lips together and stayed silent as she followed her cousin upstairs to where the bedrooms where. The house wasn’t very large; there was no guest bedroom, but Amanda had two twin beds in her room and she was happy to share. As Tara sat on the edge of the spare bed, she couldn’t help but point out, “Your mother said I’d get a private room if I brought someone else along.”
“She meant she’d give you hers,” Amanda explained, “then she’d bunk in here with me. I told her not to get her hopes up. I follow you on Instagram. I see what you post.”
Tara’s heart skipped a beat. She hoped she sounded casual when she asked, “What do you mean?”
Amanda tossed a knowing look over her shoulder. “Oh please. If you aredating someone, odds are ten to one it isn’t a guy. Am I right?”
Ducking her head, Tara sighed. “Look, I know I should be too old to care what anyone thinks anymore, and I am, really. But I came up here to relax and try to recapture a bit of what we had back in the day. I’m not looking for a summer romance, or a weekend hookup, or a fling, or whatever, with anyone. Male orfemale.”
“But you area lesbian,” Amanda pressed.