Ben kept them entertained and Jason was just as nice as Paula remembered from their first date. She wished she could feel some kind of attraction, but it just wasn’t there. And as much as she thought Ben was interesting and funny, she was surprised that he and Lucy were a match. Maybe she was broadening her scope, which could be a good thing. But Paula also wondered if she was considering that Ben wasn’t a year-rounder. When the fall came, he’d be heading back to Manhattan. And never in a million years could she see Lucy following him there. She loved Nantucket and being close to her family.

Maybe for both of them it was just a nice summer diversion.

“So, what do you think of the bands so far?” Jason asked her after they’d listened to several sets.

“I thought they were all pretty good,” Paula said. She couldn’t really differentiate between them. She liked blues music but didn’t listen to it often enough to have a preference.

“I thought the second band was amazing,” Lucy said.

Jason looked pleased to hear it. “I did, too. I think they are the best so far. I saw that they’re coming to The Gaslight soon.”

“Oh, that’s good to know. They get some great bands there. I saw one a few weeks ago, Blue Soul, that was excellent.”

“No kidding? I saw them last year, they’re great.”

Ben laughed. “I thought they were all good, too. I don’t know a whole lot about blues, though. I like it all.”

“Oh, I have some news,” Lucy said. “Paula, I forgot to tell you. Some of my pieces are going to be at an art show next weekend.”

“Really? That’s great. Which ones?” Lucy had done a few art shows and her work always sold quickly.

“A couple of small tables, a few paintings, some mirrored wall hangings, and a few mailboxes.”

Jason looked confused. “You make all that?”

“No. I find stuff at estate sales and then refurbish and paint my designs on them. The mailboxes are something new.”

“That sounds really cool. I’ll have to be sure to check it out,” he said.

“I will, too.” Ben grinned. “Have to support our local artists.”

By the end of the afternoon, Paula noticed that Lucy seemed to be getting along really well with Jason. The two of them knew a lot of the same people and shared similar taste in music and art. She laughed and chatted with Ben just as much, but her connection with Jason seemed different.

When they all said their goodbyes, much to Paula’s relief, Jason didn’t mention getting together again. When they were in the car and on their way home, Paula thought about what she’d noticed and decided to say something.

“I think maybe you should go out with Jason.”