Moonglass

point in the summer it was deep brown with a few freckles scattered across my nose and cheeks. I had always liked it when it got like this, because it meant I’d had a good summer. Ashley walked over and bent to look at my reflection with me.
    “You know, MAC makes a really good makeup that would totally take care of those freckles and even out your skin tone.” I looked at her immaculately made-up face.
    “I didn’t have time to put on any makeup. Lemme see your lip gloss.” I had actually thought about it before I’d left, but then had figured it’d be dark anyway.
    And I didn’t want to look like I was trying too hard. But then, a little bit couldn’t hurt. She handed it over and I smoothed the thick cakey-smelling gloss over my lips. “Okay. Let’s get the stuff and go down there.”
    Just as I stepped out and closed the door, a jeep pulled up next to us. It was James. “Ladies!” He leaned out of the car. “Glad you could make it. Can I help you carry anything down?”
    “Sure!” Ashley interjected, before I had even opened my mouth. I gave her a look. She pranced back to her trunk excitedly and began pulling out grocery bags. “I have all kinds of stuff in here—chips and cookies, hot dogs, all the bonfire stuff I could think of. And s’mores stuff too! No dieting tonight.” James followed her to the back of the car and stood there smiling as she loaded his arms up. “You don’t mess around, do you?” She pulled out a stack of Mexican blankets and put them into my arms. “Aren’t these cute? I picked them up today at Pottery Barn. Oh! And these.” She handed me a bundle of tiki torches. “They’re perfect, right?”
    I nodded. “Ash, you didn’t have to go out and get all this—”
    She waved me off, then shrugged cutely. “Why not? It was fun. It will be fun. Right, James?”
    “That’s right!” He grinned from behind his aviators and gave an enthusiastic thumbs-up. “ Super fun. Is that about it? We got a long walk ahead of us, and I could use an icy cold one ASAP.”
    Ashley shut the trunk. “That’s it. Show me to the beach!” She put an arm out, and James took it, despite all he was carrying.
    It was nearly impossible to be around her and not start thinking everything was just a grand adventure. As we tromped down the steep trail to the beach, I grinned and listened to Ashley chattering to James about what an admirable and heroic profession he was in, which I was sure he was eating up. They all did.
    At the bottom of the trail the beach was open and empty except for a small gathering around the rock-bordered fire pit. A small pyramid of kindling sat in the middle, waiting for a splash of lighter fluid and a match. The group was mostly made up of tanned guys who stood holding red cups, barefoot in their best surf shirts and jeans. I dug my toes into the cool sand as I walked over, trying to find Tyler’s face among them. James set everything down and walked around the circle of guys, giving high fives. Ashley and I stood on the outside of the ring, while a girl sitting on the sand looked both of us over as she chewed her gum. She leaned over and whispered something to her friend next to her, and they both laughed. Just as I started to rethink the idea of us being there, James raised his voice.
    “Everybody, this is Anna Ryan. That would be Boss Ryan’s daughter, so you never saw her here.” He waited for a reaction, which mostly consisted of nods meant to say hi. I nodded back and wished I had a red cup in my hand to raise and hide behind. “And this is her friend Ashley, who has been so kind as to bring a giant spread of stuff for our little soiree here.”
    Ashley gave a coy little smile. “Anyone want to toast to anything? I brought a case of champagne.” It was like someone had pressed play again after pausing a scene. Everyone hopped to life, and soon plastic champagne flutes were tapping, the fire was lit, and we all were feeling plenty warm, even though the night had cooled down. After a long, rambling toast delivered by James, the veteran of the group, we all settled around the fire that was now spitting and crackling.
    Muted conversations drifted across the fire, then tapered off. In between, the periodic smack of a wave on the sand punctuated the easy, satisfied silences, and it felt like one of those nights so perfect, you always remember it. The breeze shifted in my direction, along with the smoke, so I stood up to avoid the burn in my eyes. With no