“What’s it going to be of?” she asks.
“I told him to use creative liberty, but I want something that nods to the natural beauty of the island. Probably a landscape.”
She smiles, her big brown eyes studying me. “I hope this isn’t too forward, Summer, but I really do want to get to know you better. I know you and Dayton haven’t always seen eye to eye, but I consider you family. I lost my mother a year after Amelia’s birth, and … well, it was the hardest thing I’ve ever endured. I really don’t want you to feel alone here. Can we get lunch? Amelia goes to school, so my work is really just dependent on appointments, which are scheduled in advance at the clinic.”
I choke down the emotion that rises in my throat. I didn’t realize how lonely I’d been these past few months. I don’t even remember the last time I shared a meal with someone. I find myself nodding. Her kind eyes crinkle at the edges as she smiles.
“Perfect. I’ll text you. My favorite food truck isn’t too far from my work. It’s at the Street Eats circle.”
“I’d love that,” I finally manage without my voice croaking.
“I hate to invite myself, but I’d alsoloveto see the progress on the house. Dayton says it’s right on the beach.”
I nod. “It is. It’s a lovely spot on Sunrise Beach.”
I had no idea that she and Dayton were so close, but it sounds like they talk often, even about me. I study her for a moment, debating if I want to become friends with someone who apparently enjoys the company of someone like him.
Amelia starts crying near the present table.
Cheri moves to head in that direction. “Duty calls!”
“Thank you for inviting me. And come by the house anytime!” I watch her walk away, suddenly feeling lighter now.
I guess I’ve needed human interaction more than I realized.
A warmth near my left elbow and the smell of sandalwood cologne heightens my senses. I slowly turn to face him. Dayton is standing near me, hands in his swim trunks pockets. I sigh.
“I don’t want to argue with you here. Save it for when we get back to the house.”
“What makes you think I want to argue with you?”
I shrug, dipping my finger in the creamy white icing. “You love to argue. I wouldn’t be surprised to find it turns you on.” I lift the finger full of icing to my lips.
What the fuck did I just say?
Heat crawls up my neck, but I attempt to act casual as I lickthe icing off my finger. He watches me with that disapproving glare.
“You wouldn’t have the slightest clue what turns me on.”
I scoff, despite the tight clench of my stomach muscles. “I’m sure it involves some form of sadistic torture.”
“I didn’t realize you spent so much time thinking about my sex life.”
A shiver of awareness rushes up my arms despite the warm day. I need to turn this conversation around because talking about sex with him is weird and disturbing.
I look up at him. “Did you know that Dayton rhymes with Satan? And I don’t believe in coincidences.”
“Did you know that sugar is more addictive than cocaine?”
I snort. “And?” I spoon another finger full of it up and lick it off my finger again. I’ve never tried cocaine, but I’m not interested in experiencing a life without sugar. Existing is already too painful for that nonsense.
His eyes never leave mine. “It causes heart disease.”
“Hmm, is that so?”
“It also causes tooth decay, Type 2 diabetes, liver disease, the list goes on. It’s the most addictive substance on the planet. Eating it is like doing meth and acting like that’s not a problem. It’s a craving that gets out of control. The number one cause of death for human beings is obesity and heart problems, caused by—you guessed it—sugar.”
“So, what you’re saying is, it’s either going to make me the happiest person on the planet or it’s going to kill me?”
