The Summer Girlfriend (Heart Beach, #1)(56)

Celeste glanced at Jeremiah and Noelle’s clasped hands, and her face softened. “Okay, we’ll see you back at the house.”

Jeremiah and Noelle waved goodbye to his family and continued on down the boardwalk.

“Where are we going?” Noelle whispered.

“First, to get you a funnel cake like I promised,” he said. “Then I called in a favor from a family friend because you have to find a dress for the gala. Her boutique is in walking distance.”

Noelle quirked an eyebrow. “It’s not Mercy Webster, is it?”

Jeremiah laughed. “No.”

They stopped at Marty’s for funnel cake. Martin Sr. had opened the shop decades ago, and now his sons ran the business for him. His grandson Brandon, an incoming high school senior, was busy flirting with a girl his age when Jeremiah and Noelle approached the register. The girl blew Brandon a kiss as she walked away. Brandon grinned, showing off his braces.

“Yo, Jeremiah,” he said, beckoning him and Noelle forward. “I haven’t seen Amara yet this summer. Tell her I love her, okay? I may be young, but she should still give me a chance.”

Jeremiah raised an eyebrow. “Maybe when you’re twenty years older.”

“Man, that’s way too long.” Brandon looked at Noelle and smoothed a hand over his braids. “How you doing, miss?”

Noelle burst out laughing.

“You think you’re Romeo or something?” Jeremiah said, chuckling as he put his arm around Noelle’s shoulders. “She’s spoken for. And also too old for you.”

Brandon sucked his teeth. “Whatever. What can I get you, ma’am?”

“Damn, I went to ma’am that fast, huh?” Noelle said, and Brandon shrugged, obviously disappointed that she wouldn’t take his interest in her seriously.

Noelle ordered a classic funnel cake, insisting that Jeremiah share it with her. They watched Brandon pour the batter into the deep fryer in a circular motion. Once the batter was cooked, Brandon drained the funnel cake and placed it on a paper plate. Then he dusted it with powdered sugar. Noelle was licking her lips as Brandon brought the funnel cake to them. She had hearts in her eyes as she took the plate.

They let the funnel cake cool off as they walked down the boardwalk ramp to the street. Once the funnel cake was cool enough to eat, Noelle tore off a chunk then passed the plate to Jeremiah. Funnel cakes were delicious but messy. He and Noelle were getting powdered sugar all over their fingers as they ate, but Noelle didn’t seem to care. She closed her eyes like she was savoring each bite. An expression of pure pleasure. She’d looked the same way when he’d kissed her neck last week.

No, don’t think about that.

“This is so good,” she said.

He smiled at her. “You’ve got a little…” He gestured to the powdered sugar on her cheek.

“Oh, I do?”

“Here,” he said, lightly brushing his thumb against her cheek. His skin hummed as their gazes held. He felt each distinct pounding of his heart. He forced himself to drop his hand away before he did something ridiculous like cradle her face and kiss her.

“Thank you,” she said.

He swallowed hard. “You’re welcome.”

They reached their destination: Daniela’s dress shop. Noelle used a napkin to dust the sugar residue off her fingers. Then she did the same for Jeremiah. He liked the feeling of her hands pressed against his in any way possible. Even if it was just to rid them of sugar.

A Closed sign hung on the door. Jeremiah knocked and Daniela, the store owner, appeared and unlocked the door. Her thick, curly hair was tied back in a ponytail, and she’d switched into a pair of comfy-looking sneakers instead of the heels that she usually wore during regular store hours.

“Hey, hey, come on in,” Daniela said, opening the door.

Noelle peered around at the many gowns hanging throughout the store. Her mouth formed into a perfect O.

“Thank you so much for staying open late,” Jeremiah said. “I really appreciate it.”

“Of course. You know your mom is one of my most loyal customers. Your family’s grant helped my business when I really needed it.” Daniela smiled at Noelle. “This must be your beautiful girlfriend, Noelle. I’m Daniela.”

Noelle smiled. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too, sweetie. So you need a dress for the gala next week?” She looked Noelle up and down. “You have a great figure. We can probably take a dress off the rack and do minimal alterations.”

Noelle blushed. “Thank you.”

I agree, Jeremiah wanted to say. She does have a great figure. But he stayed quiet and folded his hands behind his back and listened to Daniela with a serious expression.

“What silhouette are you looking for?” Daniela asked.

“Um, maybe A-line with a slit,” Noelle said. “A classy slit, of course.”

Daniela nodded and took Noelle by the hand. “I’ve got options.”

Jeremiah sat by the chairs in front of the dressing room area and he watched as Daniela and Noelle bustled around the store. If Noelle liked a dress, Daniela hung it up in one of the changing rooms. Once they were finished browsing, Noelle had chosen three dresses.

Before Noelle tried on the first dress, she walked over to Jeremiah, chewing her bottom lip. “These dresses are expensive,” she whispered.