Page 10 of Be My Summer

“I know you can, but I have it from here, Saul. Thank you.”

At a loss for words, I stared down at the whimsical creature in front of me. God had been far too generous. She was flawless. The naturally lined, oversized lips must’ve been my favorite, because I couldn’t get my eyes to leave them for long.

Let her go. I reminded myself of the time restrictions and pushed my selfishness aside.

“Have a good day, Miss Summer.”

The corners of her mouth turned upward.

“You too, Mister Saul.”

CHAPTER TWO

Liner stained my glossy lips. The simple combination of brown and nude emphasized everything I loved about them. Though they had a natural line that traced them, shading it in made all the difference.

I stepped away from my father’s car, leaving my reflection in the side mirror to view the larger one in the tint of his windows. I smoothed the invisible wrinkles of the olive dress as I released the breath I’d been holding in. Nothing about the night was ordinary. My nervous system was in shambles.

Your accent. Heavy and light at once. But, the southern drawl is undeniable. It’s making me wish silence wasn’t your preference right now and that you didn’t have to leave.

Those words were still on my heart. Still in my head. Sitting on my chest. Twiddling my fingers. And, keeping my feet on the pavement instead of underneath my covers.

I peered at the gold vintage piece on my wrist. Time was ticking as it always was. The seven o’clock hour was upon me.

You can’t stay out here forever, Summer.

The end of summer breeze clothed my skin with its gentleness. I mourned the season's death while embracing autumn’s stillness. The quietness. The calmness.

September twenty-first.

It brought me great pride to be the bridge between the seasons. September served me well each year. Even the pain behind the story of my existence couldn’t disrupt the contentment it supplied.

“You’re going to stand there and marvel at your beauty all night, or believe me when I tell you that you look–”

There was a pause before the words began again. My right hand went to my chest. My breath caught in my throat. My eyes closed. And, my limbs stiffened.

The baritone soothed me like a slow jam on a weary night. I melted against the fabric of my dress. Even its coolness couldn’t put out the fire brewing within me.

“Incredibly beautiful. Flawless even.”

I remained quiet as I fought to regain my composure.

“Like a late-Summer night.”

He paused again.

“Much like tonight.”

I separated my eyelids, but had yet to gain the gumption to face the man behind me.

“Summer…” He recited my name as if it were his favorite word in the human vocabulary.

“Saul–” I started, slowly gathering myself. “Are you always this good with words?”

“Not always, but they are plentiful in your presence.”

“Yet, I’m at a loss.”

“What you don’t have, I do. Isn’t that the way these things work?”