The Summer Girlfriend (Heart Beach, #1)(41)

Jeremiah leaned closer and whispered now, “Two o’clock. A lady wearing big-ass sunglasses is making her way over here. Her name’s Mercy Webster. She owns a few clothing boutiques in the tri-state area, including one here in Heart Beach.”

Noelle waited a second before she discreetly turned her head in the direction that Jeremiah had indicated. A woman with large white sunglasses was walking toward them. Her sunglasses were decorated with white feathers and colorful gemstones. She had medium brown skin and short, dark hair. Her bracelets jangled as she waved at them.

Jeremiah waved back, his smile instantly widening. Guests had been venturing over to Noelle and Jeremiah since the party began, and Jeremiah hadn’t said as much, but Noelle suspected he’d chosen their current spot at the back of the party because he didn’t want to be found or sought out. But once he was approached, he was amiable as he engaged in conversation. Noelle was beginning to tell the difference between his real smile and the smile that he gave when he was putting on a performance. For example, the smile that he gave to Mercy Webster lit up the bottom half of his face, but it didn’t completely reach his eyes.

“Jeremiah, I thought that was you,” Mercy Webster said, beaming as she neared them. She pushed her sunglasses up onto her head. “Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes.”

“Hi, Ms. Webster,” Jeremiah said, hugging the woman. “How are you?”

“Perfect as a peach.” She glanced curiously at Noelle as she pulled away from Jeremiah. “Who is this lovely date of yours?”

“This is my girlfriend, Noelle. Noelle, this is Ms. Webster. She’s a friend of my mom’s.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” Noelle said. Mercy shook Noelle’s hand in firm, quick pumps. Noelle was realizing that a lot of people here shook hands this way.

“Lovely to meet you as well.” Mercy turned to Jeremiah and winked. “We missed seeing you over Memorial Day Weekend. But now I see why you’ve been so preoccupied.”

“Ah, you know how it is,” he said. “We’re in the honeymoon stage.”

He smiled lovingly at Noelle, and for a second, his smile disarmed her. But she quickly remembered her role and leaned into him as he leisurely wrapped his arm around her waist.

“?‘Summer lovin’ happened so fast,’?” she sang.

“What’s that from?” Jeremiah asked. “No, don’t tell me. It’s a musical. Um…um…damn, is it that movie with Meryl Streep and she’s on an island with her daughter, and she has three baby dads?”

Noelle snorted. “Mamma Mia!? No, the song is from Grease.”

“Oh yeah, the musical with the surprise sci-fi twist at the end.”

“Wait, what?” Noelle’s brows furrowed. “I don’t think we’re talking about the same thing.”

“Yes, we are. Danny and Sandy are riding in their convertible and all of a sudden it starts to fly.”

Noelle burst out laughing, and Jeremiah grinned in satisfaction as he looked at her, like he was pleased with himself for having made her laugh.

“You two are adorable,” Mercy said. “How long have you been together?”

“Two months,” Noelle said. At the same time, Jeremiah said, “Three months.”

Mercy’s brows furrowed as she glanced between them.

“Honey,” Noelle said, forcing a laugh. Jeremiah’s eyes widened as he realized his mistake. “I know it feels like we’ve known each other longer, but it’s only been two months. We started dating in May, remember?”

“Of course I remember,” Jeremiah said, easily smoothing over his error. His eyes sparkled as he looked at Noelle. “The day you said you’d be my girlfriend is a day I’ll never forget.”

He said it so convincingly. Her heart stuttered as their eyes held. And for a sweet second, she forgot that they were supposed to be pretending.

“Noelle, do you live in Jersey City like Jeremiah?” Mercy asked, snapping Noelle out of her trance.

“No,” Noelle said, clearing her throat. She turned to Mercy again. “But I live close by.”

“Lovely. And what field of work are you in?”

This wasn’t the first time today that someone had asked Noelle about what she did for a living. It seemed to be a conversation starter with this crowd. Or like a way to determine a person’s value.

“I’m a librarian,” she said. She had no choice but to continue the lie that she’d told the rest of the Smiths last night.

“A noble profession,” Mercy said, nodding approvingly. “And how are things at Good Dog, Jeremiah?”

“Good Boy,” Jeremiah corrected, smile unfaltering. “Things are going well. Thank you for asking.”

“Is it true that you’re moving to the West Coast?” Ms. Webster asked. “Your mom mentioned it a few weeks ago. She hasn’t said so, but I know she’s sad that you’re moving.” She looked at Noelle. “Are you planning to move with him?”

“No,” Noelle said. “We’re going to do long distance.”

Mercy frowned, like she thought that was a terrible idea.

“How interesting,” she said. “Jeremiah, you know, I still don’t understand why you left the family business. But these days I guess everyone wants to make their own way in life instead of following in the footsteps of those who came before.”