21. Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-One
Betty
I can’t believe this is happening. Any of this.
Margo picked Seaside Cliff for lunch. It’s a quiet outdoor cafe specializing in salads and seafood, populated by locals. It’s only a block off the boardwalk, away from the tourist foot traffic, and is a splendid choice if you are looking to unwind and catch up on town gossip.
It’s the perfect spot for the two of us. Not so much for the three of us. Cliff, the owner, knows our parents, and Tina and Kara on his staff are two of the biggest gossips in all of Oregon.
“Next year, I’ll be taking molecular biology, advanced chemistry, and astrophysics.” Margo regales Laredo on her studies. Her classes sound Greek to me. I started college as a liberal arts major and avoided every STEM class which was easy to do when you drop out of college your sophomore year. I’ve always found people more fascinating than classrooms.
Laredo presses his forearms to the tabletop, leaning forward, his focus on my sister. “I admire your brilliance. Maybe you’ll lead our first mission to Mars.”
Margo’s eyes twinkle with the compliment. “Mars is so pedestrian. Dream bigger. I want to study the sun. It’s what makes everything on this planet possible.”
I sit in awe. Margo is only nineteen yet possesses the confidence of a woman twice her age. She already knows what she wants to do with her life, while I’m still trying to figure out how to get through this lunch.
“If you are anything like your sister, you’ll get there, and you’ll enjoy every minute of the journey. I’ve never met anyone like your sister,” Laredo says, capturing my sight line. “A thirst for living that forces others to take inventory of their own lives. Your parents must be so proud.”
I stifle a laugh. My parents failed in micromanaging my life and are now attempting to do the same for Margo. Luckily, Margo embraces her independence as much as I do.
“So.” Margo chews on the end of her straw, a telltale sign that she’s about to change the subject. “You’re a musician.”
Laredo nods. If I wasn’t on edge, concerned with what comes next, I’d sit back and enjoy the sexy twinkle in his eyes. The tiny lift of the corner of his mouth as he fights an inappropriate thought from escaping. If his mind is like mine, it’s flashing a reel of images of us last summer. A not safe to discuss in front of your little sister montage, which I still can’t believe I experienced. Don’t say a word.
Margo brushes the curls from in front of her face and steals a quick glance in my direction before speaking. “Did you guys hook up?” Her eyes dart down, hiding her inappropriate question behind a long sip of her Dr. Pepper.
I push up in my seat. “Margo!”
Laredo’s chuckle only adds to my worries. “It’s okay,” he starts, and I fear his response. “Curiosity is a sign of caring.” He pauses, his mouth open, but nothing comes out. He tilts to face me. “I’ll leave that to your sister to share.”
I’m appreciative that Laredo doesn’t blab. I slump with the weight of the expectations placed on my shoulders as Margo stares across the table from me, seeking a firsthand account. I feel the blush forming and the pull at the corner of my lips just thinking about half of what we did. No way am I about to share. “We enjoyed the festival last summer, and he’s helping me with the food drives this week. That is all.”
Laredo’s pinched brows let me know he’s studying my answer, the dynamics of my relationship with my sister. I get the sense he expected me to share more. But I won’t. The three of us sit in silence for a beat before Margo looks at Laredo, seeking details I refuse to supply. He gives her she’s the boss, nothing I can do shrug.
“I just thought…” she starts, her mouth working overtime on the straw. “Back at the bookstore… the candy… the look the two of you shared.”
“Friends.” Laredo’s whisper is forced.
“Just friends,” I say, doubling down before Margo picks up on the disappointment in his voice.
She giggles. “I can’t wait to find a friend who looks at me the way the two of you look at each other.”
Thankfully, our food arrives, and I shift the topic to the rest of the summer. Margo studies so hard during the school year but has no issues shifting to relaxation and party mode when she comes home. She’s even made stargazing at the end of the beach into a social event. She’s mastered work-life balance, and she hasn’t even joined the workforce yet.
Laredo sprinkles in light, funny Disney Channel–approved stories from touring, which I appreciate. Laredo insists on picking up the check, and I can’t believe an hour has disappeared so fast.
“Oh my god, do you see what I see?” Margo shouts and begins racing down the boardwalk, pointing to one of the music festival signs. They litter the boardwalk, announcing performances, workshops, and highlighting artists performing this week. “Betty, it’s Sano.”
She points at the blue-and-white festival sign. We’re so familiar with the signage we recognize the color scheme for what it is: an exclusive artist VIP performance for industry insiders. “He’s here. And he’s performing in like twenty minutes. That has to be a sign of some sort.” Margo races back to me and grabs both my hands, pulling me toward the sign.
Sano is a Brazilian artist whose music I fell in love with back in college. I played his music on repeat when Margo was young. It took all of three minutes and forty-nine seconds, the playing time of his Samba hit “This Heart is for Her,” before she fell too.
“What am I missing?” Laredo asks.
“He’s one of Betty’s favorite artists. How do you not know that? She had his poster on her bedroom wall when I was in middle school. She swore she would marry him one day.”
“Margo, please.” I try to defuse this before it gains momentum.
Laredo steps in front of me. “Should I be worried?” I know from his words he’s joking, but the look in his eyes sends chills racing down my spine. Did he imply…
“Did you know he was going to be here? He hasn’t played the festival in like six, seven years.” Margo won’t let it go.
I nod. “Yeah, I heard about it months ago. It’s a VIP event only open to people from the record labels, reporters, and streaming services.” I leave out the fact that the old me would not have been deterred by this minor obstacle.
“I’m a VIP,” Laredo says with confidence I continue to admire.
Margo releases my hands and turns her attention to him. “Can you?” Her eyes fill with hope.
I bite my lip; this is what Laredo does. His confidence makes you feel like anything is possible. I may fall victim to it, but I can’t let my sister sign up.
“Laredo’s working and has to get back to the studio.” I shake my head, and all I hear is my mother’s voice. “And so am I—the bookstore.”
Margo ignores me. “Can you?” she addresses Laredo as if I don’t exist. “Can you get my sister in to see Sano? Even if it’s only for a song before you head to the studio.”
I wait. During lunch, Laredo managed Margo’s curiosity well, deferring hot-button questions to me. I expect him to do the same.
“Don’t worry about the bookstore. I can cover for Betty until she gets there.” Margo pleads hard on my behalf, and I’m touched. She’d sacrifice a shot at seeing Sano herself if it meant I get to see him. “Can you get her in?”
Laredo doesn’t look in my direction for guidance. He’s swimming in the deep end of the Puss in Boot’s eyes of my sister. “Yes.” I don’t blame him. When Margo looks at you the way she is looking at him right now, no one can say no. I’ve fallen victim myself. “But you’re not covering the bookstore. I am.” Laredo hooks his thumb toward the tent down the boardwalk. It’s where the VIP events are held. “I’ll get you in, both of you. But only if you agree to stay for the full show. I’ll take care of the bookstore.”
It’s my job—my bookstore—they are negotiating about, yet neither of them looks in my direction.
I need to speak up. But somewhere over the last year, I’ve lost this ability. I avoid confrontation. I stiff-arm fun. But I no longer have this luxury. My younger sister is watching and taking notes. I need to determine right here, right now, who I am. Am I the girl who dresses like a librarian and hides out in a bookstore? Or am I the fearless soul who leaps at an opportunity that will provide a summer memory we will talk about for years to come?
I’m standing two paces behind Laredo. He can’t see me, but Margo does. I know which version I want for my sister. I give her a short nod of consent. I choose happiness. I choose joy. I choose memories.
“Deal.” Margo shoots a hand forward and shakes his hand.
My fate is sealed.