Chapter 4
Summer
“He’scute,right?”thevoice asks about the romance book I’m holding in my hands. Yup. I’m back in Espresso Yourself. It’s just too damn good not to visit every day.
I smile back and adjust my swimsuit under my tank top. I’m hitting the beach after I pick up a book I want for the day.
When I glance back at the cover in my hands, I reply, “Very cute.” Not as cute as Eli, especially while I was rubbing the nub of his nipple yesterday. Not sure what came over me. The man literally had to restrain me and request—twice—that I stop fondling him.
“He’s my boyfriend.”
“This guy?” I point to the man on the cover, who, now that I look closely, does resemble someone I think I’ve seen in town.
“Ya. That’s Jack.”
“Oh my God, Emmerson. I didn’t know Jack posed to be your cover model.”
She scrunches up her face. “Well…he didn’t exactly pose for it.”
“Sounds like there’s more to that?”
“Let’s just say that he agreed to it once I showed it to him,” she chuckles. And I can’t help giggling along.
“You two are super cute together.”
“Thanks. It took us a while to finally make our move, but who knew a tent would make the best wingman?” She shrugs cutely and then asks, “Anyone in your life?”
“Umm…not at the moment. The last few relationships didn’t go so well.”
“Taking a break?”
“You could say that. I’m happy where I am.”
“That’s a good place to be.”
“Ya. It’s important to be content with where you’re aaaaah—”
“Excuse me, Emmerson.” A deep, very familiar, voice cuts in. “There’s been an emergency and Summer needs to get out of here. Now.”
“What about my book?” That’s what I ask, but it’s not what I should be asking. I should be askingEli, why did you haul me up on your shoulders? Andwhy am I bouncing around up here like a sack of potatoes?
“I’ll–um-I’ll get it for you.” She’s stifling a laugh as she reaches up and snags the book while Eli marches out of the store.
And that’s when I notice he’s shirtless. I mean, I noticed when my body slid over his shoulder and my hand ran down his back, but I didn’t really appreciate it in the moment.
Now—mmm—let me tell you, I’m appreciating it. From this perspective, his ass looks good. And his back has more muscles than I can count. Doesn’t stop me from trying.
The whole time, Eli doesn't say a word to me. He’s all,Excuse me, miss, and,Pardon me, Ma’am, like it’s normal for a fireman in only his hitches to haul women around town. I know Lit Creek is new to me, but I haven’t seen this yet. Certainly not from the supposedly modest Eli. At the photoshoot he was the most awkward I’ve ever seen him, and now he’s prancing around like this? What is he upto?
Not once does he explain what he’s doing. But in all of it, he’s drawing an exceptional amount of attention.
Finally, he lurches to a stop in the middle of town. Right under the town’s gazebo. He signals to someone off to the side, who strikingly resembles Finn, and a banner rolls down from the woodwork of the gazebo.
A freaking banner. I thought they only had banners in Full House.
But here I am, a recipient of a beautiful—well, man-painted—banner that reads, “Will you go on one date with me?” The number one is in extra large print.
There’s a crowd. Eli is grinning, but I can tell he’s nervous. For a man who loves pulling pranks and having a good time, I’m coming to realize that amidst all of those good times he’s typically not center stage. He’s the Jenson twin behind the scenes. I think I like him all the more for that.
