“Ethan!”
Before Summer answers me, my buddy Reid comes jogging up the street. It’s like he knew we were just talking about him…I watch his eyes widen as he takes in Summer standing beside me and I fight back a wave of possessiveness that comes over me. It’s clear he doesn’t recognize her, and it’s clear he’s noticed how beautiful she is.
“What’s up, Reid?” I grind out, glaring at him, trying to say without words that he needs to back off. But he doesn’t get the message, judging by the grin on his face.
“Reid Corser, and you are?” He sticks his hand out toward Summer, completely ignoring me.
“Hey, Reid. It’s me, Summer. I grew up here, remember?” she says, shaking his hand with a small laugh.
“Holy shit, Summer Harris? I heard you were back in town!”
My blood pressure skyrockets as Reid leans over and hugs Summer. Her arms go around his waist, and I’m seeing red. Or is it green? I blink away my consuming jealousy, fully aware that it’s insane to feel this way over a woman who isn’t even mine, just in time to hear Reid seal his own fate. He’s a dead man.
“Why don’t we get dinner together tomorrow, and I can catch you up on all the town gossip.”
“Dude, she just got here, give it a minute, would you?” I grumble, snatching Summer’s arm and tugging her back to my side as my eyes shoot daggers at my friend. Reid startles and finally looks at me. Recognition dawns on his face, and he takes a step back, smirking at me.
“Right. Of course, man. My bad.” He turns to Summer, who seems confused by my behaviour. I guess I don’t blame her. “I’m sure I’ll see you around, Summer. Good to have you back.”
With a slap to my back, he continues on jogging down the street and my rage lowers fromkillhimnow, toshit I’ve made a fool of myselflevel.
I drop Summer’s arm and stuff my hands in my pockets, my gaze not leaving the ground as Summer stands silently in front of me.
“So that was weird,” she blurts out, and I outwardly wince. “What was the caveman routine all about?”
“I’m sorry,” I mumble, and out of the corner of my eye I notice she steps closer, and her hand lifts to cup my chin firmly, forcing my gaze upward.
“Ethan. Talk to me.”
“It’s nothing. Sorry. I just figured you might want some time to get settled.” My reason sounds lame even to me, but Summer seems to drop it. Thank God, because that could have been awkward. “Anyway, I guess I’ll leave the key with Mila. I just remembered a meeting I’m late for.”
Then, before I can say or do anything else stupid, I turn and walk away.
That night I sleep like shit. I can’t stop tossing and turning, my semiconscious mind swirling with confusing images of Summer. Sometimes she’s a kid, playing and laughing with Mila, and sometimes we’re adults, running along the beach and holding hands. Then it goes dark, and when my vision clears, she’s in her truck driving away from me.
People always leave.
The problem is, I don’t think I could handle Summer Harris leaving again.
Two days pass and I’m even more confused by my reaction to Summer being back in town. Tonight she and Mila are coming over for dinner, and it will be the first time I’ve seen her since the day we walked around town. I still don’t know what to do about the fact that I’m attracted to her. Part of me wants to forget about it and force those feelings away. She needs a friend more than anything else right now. But another part of me can’t quite ignore the pull I feel toward her. It’s more than friendship, and I want to know if it goes both ways.
“Ethan?” Mila calls out as she pushes open my front door without knocking. I left it unlocked, knowing she would do just that.
“In the kitchen,” I reply, keeping my attention on the avocado I’m cutting for guacamole.
“Holy shit, big brother, you havecandles?” Mila says as she walks into the room, Summer following behind. I glare at my sister. Of course she had to notice the goddamn candles I dug out of the closet. I don’t remember buying them, and given the layer of dust on the box I found them in means my mom probably did at some point.
Ignoring her comment, I smile at Summer. “Hey, ladies. Help yourself to a drink, I’ve got beer and wine in the fridge.”
“What? You never have wine for me.” Mila whines, and I shoot her another look that she misses completely.
“Yeah, well, tonight I do.”
Summer wanders over to stand beside me, her delicate peppermint and lavender scent wafting up from the top of her head. I try not to be too obvious as I inhale deeply.
She sneaks a piece of avocado, looking up at me, her eyes dancing. “Thanks, I’m good with beer.” She winks, then twirls around to Mila who is pouring a glass of wine.
They wander into my living room and I follow, chips and guac in hand. Setting it down on the table, I go back to the kitchen and get a beer for myself before joining them.
