Page 28 of Be My Summer

I basked in her presence until long after dinner ended. She was such a breath of fresh air. All the parts of her that she considered boring had me wanting to know more. Summer had a way of giving just enough detail to keep you on the edge of your seat, craving whatever would fall from her lips next.

“Your feet– they’re good?”

We rounded the corner of her block. Aside from the chirping of the night crawlers and the swaying of the wind, there was a comfortable silence that we both allowed to take space.

“Um hm.”

Hand-in-hand, we slowly approached our destination. Her porch light helped me see her better. The sleepy version of her. The tired version. The full version. The version that needed her rest more than I needed a few more minutes of her time.

Instinctively, I slid my hand behind Summer’s hair, using her neck to pull her closer. Gravity landed my lips on hers. Her mouth parted, welcoming me inside. I made myself at home, exploring every corner within my tongue’s reach.

Deeply.

Passionately.

Confidently.

Summer kissed me.

She didn’t hesitate. She didn’t hold back. She didn’t shy away. She stamped her name on my tongue. Left evidence of her existence on the skin of my teeth. And hydrated my lips on the way out.

Dazed, I watched her pull away, digging the key into the door.

“Goodnight, Saul.”

“Goodnight, Miss Summer.”

I touched my lips, reminded of where she’d been. Where she belonged. And where she’d always be from this moment forward.

Smiling, I turned away and made my way to my truck. My mother would be happy to hear about the woman I’d been seeing. However, it was my father who I couldn’t wait to tell the good news. He’d told me this day would come and I’d know once it did. There wouldn’t be a question in the matter. My time had come. Without a doubt.

Pops, I’ve found my wife.

CHAPTER FIVE

Outside, Miss Summer.

The text brought a smile to my barely opened eyes bright and early Monday morning. Still, I rushed from the back porch into the house and every room required before slowing as I reached the front door.

“Good morning, Sums.”

“Morning, Dad. How are you feeling?”

Taking a sip from his coffee as he studied the daily paper, my father nodded.

“I’m feeling lucky. Lucky to see another day, baby.”

“It’s a beautiful blessing.”

“Yes. Yes it is.”

I rubbed sleep from my eyes as I placed a hand on the knob, hoping Saul wasn’t behind the wood. I looked and smelled better most days. Too anxious to discover the context of the text he’d sent, I skipped a trip to the bathroom.

On the tips of my toes, I pulled the front door open. Fresh tulips were waiting for me. Beneath them were a stack of books. Inside the ribbon that tied them together was a letter.

Handwritten.

Ink.