Rules of Summer

They sat on the blanket in almost the exact same spot where they’d watched the fireworks almost two months before, and this time, Connor sat behind her with his arms around her as she looked out at the water. The sun had set behind them, and the sky was a perfect blend of gray, gold, and pink.

“How’re you doing?” Connor asked in her ear. “Everything good?”

“I can’t believe this is my last night,” she said. “It’s too weird.”

“It’s your last night before we go back to the city,” he said. “If you play your cards right, I might even be able to let you sleep in my room tomorrow.”

She leaned her head against his shoulder. “California’s so far away.”

“I’ve already got you a ticket,” he said. “You’ll be there at the end of September.”

“I can’t wait,” she said.

“Um, excuse me!” Isabel said, trudging over to them across the sand, an open bottle of Cristal dangling from her hand and a large paper bag in the other. “No making out in front of me, okay?”

Rory and Connor laughed as she flopped down on the blanket next to them. “I had no idea you were so uptight,” Rory said.

Connor opened the paper bag and took out the items that Marisa had packed for their dinner picnic. “Yum. Fried chicken. Potato salad. Coleslaw. This is awesome.”

“Hey, let’s make a toast first,” Isabel said, pulling out the champagne flutes that she’d snuck into the bag. She poured them each a glass of champagne and handed Rory and Connor their glasses.

“What are we toasting?” Rory asked.

“To Connor,” said Isabel, “for finally quitting the swim team.”

She held up her flute as Connor rolled his eyes.

“Dad will probably never get over it,” he said.

“Congratulations,” Isabel said. “And to me, for learning how to drive.”

“And not getting a speeding ticket yet,” Rory wisecracked.

“I second that,” said Connor.

“And to Rory McShane,” Isabel said. “Amazing driver. Wonderful friend. Terrible temper.”

Rory laughed.

“This summer would not have been the same without you. And I’m sure my brother feels the same way,” Isabel said with a grin.

“Maybe just a little bit,” Connor said, kissing Rory on the side of her face.

“But seriously, I don’t know what I’m going to do without you this year. Who’s going to yell at me to slow down? Who’s going to listen to me talk about guys? Who’s not going to judge me when I do stupid stuff?”

“And to you guys,” Rory said, holding up her glass. “I came here not knowing anyone or anything. And now I have two new best friends.” She felt herself getting a little teary. “Who are both going off to California and deserting me.”

Connor squeezed her. “You’ll be there so soon.”

“And then you’re coming to visit me, right?” Isabel said.

“Absolutely,” Rory said.

“So I got you a little something,” Isabel said. “Just a little something so that you’ll never forget us.” She reached down into the paper bag and pulled out a small box. She handed it to Rory. “Go on. Open it.”

“You sure you want me to do it here?” Rory asked.

“Uh-huh,” Isabel said. “Go for it.”

Rory opened the box to see a gold charm bracelet lying inside. She pulled it out and let it dangle from her hand. Two charms—an I and an R—shone in the light.

“As much as I love your rope bracelets,” Isabel said, “I thought this might be an improvement.”

“It’s gorgeous,” Rory said, slipping it on.

“And I got myself the same one.” Isabel held up her wrist so Rory could see the gold R.

“I’ve had the most incredible summer,” Rory said. “Thank you for having me, you guys. I’ll never forget being here.”

“Then you’ll just have to come back,” said Isabel. “Next summer.”

Rory looked at Connor. “Really?”

“Definitely,” he said.

Rory nodded. “Okay, then.”

“You swear it?” Isabel asked.

Rory smiled. “I swear.”