“I love guys who wear flip-flops.”

Holly Bannon watched a guy amble across the large lawn at Mrs. Whittingham’s estate, where she and her best friend, Ainslee, were attending a “Welcome to the Club” party. They were both working at the Ridgemont Country Club for the summer, starting the next day.

“I don’t know. Isn’t he a little short for you?” Holly asked Ainslee, who was nearly 5’9”.

“Crudités?” A caterer holding a tray paused in front of them.

“Sorry?” Holly asked.

“It’s an appetizer,” Ainslee said. “Take one. Trés delicious.” She grabbed one from the tray and popped it into her mouth.

“Thanks,” Holly told the caterer. She carefully took a small bite of the celery, nibbling the edge. She watched as another guy jogged across the lawn, toward the shuffleboard court on the other side of the inground pool.

Shuffleboard, thought Holly. Who ever even heard of it before tonight?

“How about him, Ains?” she asked.

“Mmm...no.” Ainslee shook her head. “Don’t like the hat.”

“Really?” Holly took another look at him. “You’re too picky. I think he’s cute. Or he was, but I can’t really see him anymore.”

“He’s all right, but I hate the way he runs. Anyway. We’re going to meet so many guys this summer. We don’t have to settle for someone who’s just sort of okay and wears a baseball cap sideways,” Ainslee declared. “My mom always says never settle.”