Chapter 26
THERE WAS NO SWEETER SOUND THAN AN AIR horn—except for the sound of five air horns.
Henry gave his security team a signal (a text reading MAKE NOISE), and several beats later, the party vibes vanished.
James caught the drift immediately. “Thank you so much for letting us celebrate with you tonight,” he told the crowd.
“I’m James, and this is the extraordinary Isa”—he smiled and took her hand—“and we’re In the Luxembourg Gardens! ”
They received impressive applause when they bowed, and then Ellie stepped onstage and quickly became the cruise director.
“If you drove here tonight, please form an orderly line at the valet stand,” she said, sounding like her mom.
“Jared will be leading a group down the driveway to our rideshare pickup area.” She took a breath.
“And if you did drive here, but are no longer in a condition to drive, please speak to Lana about spending the night.” She plastered on her service-with-a-smile grin. “Congratulations on five years!”
“What happened to Chase?” I asked Kenzie once the chaos of everyone-trying-to-get-their-shit-together commenced.
“Oh, Griff pulled him off the stage after he said he owed Ellie a dance,” she said excitedly. “Then Ellie shoved him in the pool! It was amazing!”
“She did?” I was thrilled, but there wasn’t time to talk to Ellie right now. We had to focus on getting everyone off the property.
And since they were adults, it wasn’t impossible. It took maybe an hour, and only about fifteen people needed to crash. “We’re going to start cleaning up,” I told Joel when he sought me out.
Thank god the Merry Maids were coming right after checkout!
“Sounds great,” he said soberly. “I was, uh, wondering if you knew a good tow truck company?” He scratched the back of his head. “My car…”
My eyes narrowed. “Your car what?”
“It ended up in the Sound.”
“Oh, Joel…” I said, probably sounding like his mother.
“Not deep enough for it to be washed out to sea,” he quickly said. “But I can’t drive it out.”
Well, isn’t this the cherry on top, I thought dryly. And payback for probably tearing up my lawn!
“I do know a tow truck company,” I told him. “My friend Mia’s brother is a mechanic…”
Because there was no way Tess could know about this.
“Phew.” Joel sighed in relief. “You’re a lifesaver, Audrey.”
I smiled tightly. “Go to bed, Joel.”
IT FELT LIKE THREE A.M. WHEN ALL WAS SAID and done, but in reality, it was only midnight (“Some after-party!” Jason called).
I was relieved most of my staff had another hour before their curfews.
“Golightly Glass will Venmo you all by the end of the day tomorrow,” I told them by way of goodbye.
Joel and Lana still needed to reimburse me for the party.
“Thank you, thank you—thank you a thousand times over!”
Not to mention, Alec had set up a tip jar for the valets. They were going home with a pretty sweet deal.
“I am giving Kenzie my keys!” Ellie declared before sucking down a cup of trash can punch. Not everyone had taken their Fairfeild cup as a souvenir. “She’s driving home.”
“You’re incredible,” I told Ellie. “I’m sorry I missed you push Chase into the pool.”
“It’s okay.” She hiccupped. “I’m pretty sure Griff took a video.”
“Sounds about right.” I nodded, then looked around. “Where is Griff, anyway?”
“Oh, in the pool house,” Kenzie said nonchalantly. “Hooking up with Kaitlyn.”
Who’s Kaitlyn? I wondered, before remembering that she was one of the lifeguards.
It had been a big night.
“Are you okay?” Ellie and I both asked.
“Yeah.” Kenzie shrugged. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Uh, maybe the nonstop flirting?” Ellie said before I could. “Or prom?”
“Guys, come on.” Kenzie laughed. “It was fun while it lasted, but it’s Griff Keeler.” She rolled her eyes. “It’s never serious for him.” She turned toward the pool house and cupped her hands around her mouth. “Wrap it up in there! Audrey wants to go to sleep!”
Then she plucked Ellie’s keys up and strolled off toward the Prius.
“Kenzie is an icon,” I said.
“Yes,” Ellie agreed. “Not nearly as iconic as Tate, though.”
I shrugged. “Who is?”
“You are,” Ellie said, and when I looked at her, she smiled. “I’ve always thought so, Audrey.” Her voice softened. “I would also love to be better friends.”
My heart warmed. “You took the words right out of my mouth,” I said, and gave her a hug. “Thank you for your help these past few weeks.”
“Yes,” Henry agreed, popping out of the darkness, back from checking out Joel’s waterlogged Porsche. “Especially for stealing all that stuff. That was greatly appreciated.”
“You’re just jealous you didn’t think of it first,” Ellie said lightly, clapping him on the shoulder before whispering something in his ear.
I looked away just in time to see Griff and Kaitlyn sheepishly emerge from the pool house. “Audrey!” he had the guts to shout. “Do you have our money?”
Oh, Griff, I thought. Griff freaking Keeler.