Fireworks

30

"So, as you can see the pool is just through the patio doors when you guys feel like hopping in," I point out. They can all clearly see the pool since the back wall is mostly glass and looking out over the well-manicured lawn and garden that surrounds the pool and hot tub. They all look to me for instruction on what to do, but luckily my mother's drilled hostess etiquette into my head since I could walk, so I've got it covered. "If you need to borrow a bathing suit I have plenty extra I can grab. I'll get some food and drinks for everyone and bring them outside to the patio so you can cool off ASAP." I inform them, already trailing towards the kitchen.

They all nod and Diego calls out, "Bathing suit would be good for me."

A couple of the guys chime in and Isa, Sarah and Cecily ask for one as well. I guess Monse carries one in her car, and she asks where the bathrooms are so she can change. I point out all of the bathroom locations downstairs and run to my room to grab swimsuits for the girls.

While I'm upstairs I slip into Colton's room. I'm not sure that my mother would love the idea of handing out his swimsuits, and it feels weird for me too, but I doubt she'll ever know. I do my own laundry, so she won't have to see.

I distribute the bathing suits and head to the kitchen to prepare some food while they change. I'm cutting up some fruit when Arlo walks into the kitchen. I can distantly hear Isa, Montserrat and Cecily talking in the living area, and some of the guys presumably making their way outside to the backyard.

"Need any help?" he asks sweetly, coming over to where I'm standing at the counter.

I smile a little to myself at the gesture and continue cutting up the fruit. "No, go enjoy yourself. I've got it."

He frowns and scoots even closer. "Come on, it's the least I can do. You're letting us hang here, getting us food. Let me help."

I feel myself melt a little and begrudgingly push the large pile of strawberries I cut towards him. "If you want you could arrange those on that platter right in front of you."

He smiles and says, "Sure. You did that pretty fast."

I laugh a little and move towards the pantry to grab crackers and other snacks. "Years of open houses with my mom and cotillion lessons. It's like it's in my blood." I say sarcastically.

He also cracks a grin and I can't help but admire him. He's in a pair of black swim trunks and isn't wearing a shirt. He looks good, per usual, but seeing him here in my house makes the interaction seem more personal, almost like he's just hanging out with me alone on a summer afternoon.

I shake the thoughts from my head and stand beside him to start laying out the crackers. He subtly bumps his elbow into my side and says, "Move it, shorty, I'm trying to work here."

I hold my hands up. "Hey, I was here first. Back off."

His smile softens when he looks over at me, and he says a bit more seriously, "How's your dad?"

I let my eyes trail down to the platter again and my hands start working. "I haven't really heard from him since he's moved out. I guess he's alright." I give a noncommittal shrug, though I'm actually a little scared for him. Last I knew he was supposed to be taking off work to come to the recital, but plans change.

He sighs and says, "I'm sorry, Hadlee."

I shake my head, "You have nothing to be sorry for. He's just coping the best way he knows how."

He gives a little 'Hm' and we work in silence for a few moments. I'm about to open my mouth to break the silence when Montserrat walks in. She looks over us with narrowed eyes, but says, "Do you have water?"