“That’s the kind of detail I was looking for! That’s what we should be focusing on! Forget construction.
You’re doing your art stuff, and that’s cool, but it’s the abundance of guys that’s key in this scenario,” Chloe cut in excitedly. She smirked. “I mean, of course, I don’t care if you’re working with truckloads of guys with serious manual-labor muscles,” she intoned in mock-seriousness. “It’ll just be nice to have some contacts if, you know, we need a handyman or two.” She grinned mischievously and cast her eyes down toward the carpet.
Julianne smiled and shook her head. “Enough about my summer plans. Speaking of too much to do this summer, where does your final tally stand at the moment?”
Julianne watched her sister count off her obligations silently before answering. “Okay. I’m working at the children’s hospital. Then I’m tutoring two afternoons a week and giving surf lessons on Saturdays. And I still haven’t decided if I’m going to jump in for pickup volleyball. I want to have some time just to read and hang out on the beach.”
Julianne smiled at her sister. Chloe was such an over-achiever, yet she always found time to have fun in the midst of all her other commitments.
“I can’t wait to go out with my camera and spend an entire day just hanging out by the ocean,” Julianne gushed, visions of sunshine and brand-new surfer boys with guitars and dreadlocks already elbowing their way into her thoughts.
“And you know,” Julianne added, “any poor decisions we make while on the beach can totally be blamed on our surroundings. I mean, if, for example, I happened to go for le petit joyride in the Moores’ shiny yellow backhoe and their tacky glass house happened to get a little bit broken, clearly I could not be held accountable. It’s that tricky beach terrain. No traction whatsoever.” A devious grin spread slowly across Julianne’s face. She twisted one long brown curl around her finger, relishing her own half-serious troublemaking.
“Ugh, there you go talking about backhoes,” Chloe grumbled. “Don’t get all Ty Pennington on me. If you’re going to talk construction, can we at least talk about what you’re wearing for your first day of work? The outfit is key, you know.” Chloe leapt off the bed and bounded toward her walk-in closet.
Julianne looked at her sister. Chloe’s warm face was frozen in determination. “You’re totally right. A girl’s gotta have her priorities straight. And clearly my fashion sense isn’t focused at the moment. Style me. I am turning myself wholly over to your vision for my first day of work.”
“Pinky swear?” Chloe’s almond-shaped eyes looked even larger than usual.
Chloe extended the pinky finger of her right hand to her younger sister, who entwined it with her own. They both leaned in and shook on it.
“Pinky swear.” Julianne shook a second time for emphasis. “But nothing white. And no blazers. Blazers are your thing. And also, if we could keep the UCLA paraphernalia to a minimum …”
Chloe and Julianne both looked at each other and stifled a giggle. Chloe stepped into her closet and tossed out a dozen items for her sister to try on. Pastel colors and scoop necks were flying fast and furious, and Jules had to cover her head to avoid being beaned by the better part of the Marc by Marc Jacobs summer collection.
“Try those. All of those. Then we’ll reconvene for a final decision tomorrow night. Now that that’s taken care of …” Chloe trailed off.
“On to the next matter of business,” Julianne finished.
“Popcorn?” Chloe was halfway out the door and darting in the direction of the kitchen.
“Popcorn,” Julianne concurred.
“Chick flick?” Chloe called behind her.
“Chick flick,” Julianne called back. “Just give me one second!” She ran over to her computer and typed out a quick email to Kat.
K—
Do you think summer love is too good to be true? Ran into the guy from the party last night on the beach today and he’s beyond amazing. We had an awesome conversation about painting and everything just felt so right. He gave me some surfing pointers.
Maybe I’ll be able to hold my own with you in the waves by the time you get home. One
*major* catch, though—I think he lives next door. You know, in the monster house! What do you think that means? I’m so confused! Help!
In other news, work starts tomorrow. I’m excited. How are your classes? Any cute Madrid boys? Send me pictures already!
xoxo
—J
Chapter Five
Julianne’s curly hair spilled out of her bike helmet and trailed behind her in the warm breeze. As she pedaled her blue beach cruiser down familiar Palisades roads, she was thrilled that the environmen-tally conscious philosophy of her “green” summer job had inspired her to bike to work. Seeing familiar faces and gorgeous scenery on her twenty-minute bike com-mute put Jules in a fabulous mood before the day had even really started.
As she pulled up in front of the construction site, hopped off, and locked up her bike, Julianne spotted a half-dozen workers already hanging out, drinking coffee, and looking at blueprints. Solar panels, wood beams, and a ton of different kinds of tile were scattered everywhere. The outline of the house that was already standing was boxy and sleek—modern without being obnoxious. After a few quick hellos, she set out pacing around the skeleton of the house. She was unbelievably excited to help design the rest of the project. Not only was it great from an artistic standpoint, but Bill had explained in his last e-mail that everything about the project was eco-friendly. Green building materials, green power, clean design. It was going to be a totally cutting-edge house, giving as much back to the neighborhood as it took in the building. This project, Julianne thought, is going to completely and totally rock my world.
She meandered from room to room, making sure she knew where everything was before she got to work.
Wending her way through the maze of beams and drywall, Julianne walked smack into Mitch.
“Jules, hey!”
