“Well, you’re being a dick, and frankly, it’s getting old.”
I finally turn to face her. “Her dating the builder could easily turn into a disaster. How is that a mean thing to say?”
“I’m talking about herrelationship track recordcomment. You act like not trying to find love makes you superior to those of us who have tried and failed.”
Cheri’s baby daddy turned out to be cheating on his wife with his secret girlfriend—her. She didn’t find out he was married until the wife showed up at the hospital right after Amelia was born.
Guilt flickers in my gut. “I didn’t mean it like that. I just meant I don’t wanna watch her try dating him when he’s supposed to be focused on finishing the house.”
She snorts, shaking her head. “You need to piss or get off the pot, cousin. I’m sick of witnessing you be completely obsessed with her and unable to admit it to yourself.”
Cheri is the first person who’s openly called me out for my Summer obsession, even though several of my friends have hinted at it before over the years. She keeps her gaze level with mine, tilting her head slightly and narrowing her eyes at me.
“I’m not?—”
“Don’t piss me off right now. You are, anddenying it is pointless.”
“That’s disgusting. She’s my?—”
“It’s not disgusting. I’ve known you my entire life.I amlike a sister to you, but she never has been.”
My body feels like it’s on fire. Heat crawls up the back of my neck. I almost look around to check and see if people are staring at me, suddenly able to see down deep into my soul, my darkest secret on display for the packed bar to observe.
“That’s right; I’m calling you out for this bullshit act. Be a man. Go talk to her. Tell her you want her. Kiss her senseless. Or don’t and let her live her life in peace. You’re a grown man, playing games like a teenager. And I know you think you’re disgusting for liking her, but you’re not.”
She downs the rest of her drink and slams it on the bar top, signaling for another one.
“Oh, and this isn’t my first drink of the night, if you can’t tell. I’m kid-free tonight, so I want to have some fun. You’re raining on my party.”
I stand up straight, stepping back from the bar. “Fine. Maybe I will go talk to her.”
“Good. Do it.” She’s clearly annoyed with me, crossing her arms and turning away, which is completely unlike her.
“Sign my tab when you’re done.” I throw away my empty beer bottle before making my way down to the beach. I pull a mint out of my sport coat’s inner pocket and pop it into my mouth.
Javier is still cracking jokes, standing closer to Summer than what I deem professional.
“Hey, Javier. Nice night tonight,” I interrupt him mid-sentence.
He turns to me, his smile immediately faltering. “Yes, sir, very nice night.” He takes a step back from Summer.
“See that woman over at the bar with the red hair? She’s wearing a green dress.” I point out Cheri.
He nods, eyes shifting from me to her.
“She looks like she needs some company. And I heard she’s kid-free for the night.”
He perks up, clearly interested in the potential. He stretches out a hand to shake mine. I squeeze it tight, but he only smiles.
“Thanks. See you two next week.” He saunters off in the direction of the bar.
Summer turns to me, eyes blazing. “What was that about, Day?—”
I grab the back of her neck, interrupting her by slamming my lips down to hers before I have the chance to talk myself out of it. She gasps, struggling against me for a few seconds before giving in and sinking into my arms. I wrap mine around her, sighing heavily into her mouth.
Her arms move up, curling around the back of my neck. Her body relaxes into mine, her soft curves pressing into the hard muscles of my chest. She moans into my mouth, lips opening. I slide my tongue through them, tasting champagne and strawberries. She smells like coconuts and the ocean and every good dream I’ve ever had.
Every time I’ve imagined this, it was always after some kind of confession from her or both of us saying we had secretly been pining after each other all this time. Now that it’s really happening, I’m feeling, rather than hearing, her express it all.
