Page 44 of The Summer of Us

“The apartment? Or Sunny?”

“Both.”

“The apartment is more practical.”

“And conveniently close to Sunny,” she pointed out.

“Yes.” I sighed and scrubbed my face. “I know you’re worried, Abby. Sunny is as well.”

“Not about me, right? She knows we’re only friends, doesn’t she?”

I waved my hand. “Yes. She isn’t worried about that. I think the two of you will get along well. She wants to meet you and get to know you. The apartment was her idea, actually.”

“Oh.”

“I know you don’t want me to get hurt again. I’ll be honest—neither do I. But I have to try.” I exhaled hard. “Sunny…she thinks I have too much hate in me. She isn’t sure she knows how to handle that part of me.”

“Your hate is reserved for your father. You’re a good man, Linc.”

“She worries I won’t ever be able to let it go. To be able to live my life without the hate being the driving force. I have to admit, I wonder if she’s right.”

“If you love her the way you say you still do, then you will. She was the one thing you grieved for the most. If you’re together again, you can stop your grieving and begin to live for something else.”

I stared at her, her words sinking in.

“When did you suddenly become the grown-up?”

She stood. “Always have been. I’m going to get showered so we can go meet this girl of yours. I’m hungry.”

She walked away, stopping to refill her cup and disappearing into the bathroom. I thought about her words. Simple, direct, and honest. Once again, she reminded me of Sunny. I wanted to believe her. To think that I could lay the ghost of my father to rest and move on to a different life with Sunny. My hatred of him had been at the forefront of everything I’d done from the moment I woke up in that hellhole he threw me in.

Could I shift my focus and step away from the anger? Could I let go of the hatred and embrace life?

I never thought it possible. But my thoughts had never included Sunny. Now she was in my life again, and I already felt…different.

My phone beeped, the simple text message sending my heart soaring.

Biscuits hot and waiting for you. So am I. Sunny xxx

Given my reaction to the thought of seeing Sunny?

Perhaps I had my answer.

13

Linc

Over the years, I had learned to read situations, hide any anxiety I was feeling, keep my face neutral, my hands dry, and nerves hidden. I could meet with the toughest crowd, the angriest individual, and remain cool.

Watching the two women I loved the most in the world meet was the most uncomfortable situation I’d ever gone through. I introduced them, shocked at the way my heart raced, the anxiety I heard in my voice—the way my hands grew damp with perspiration.

They sized each other up, their eyes wary, their handshake brief. Both stood, cool and unbending, waiting. It took me a moment to catch up and realize they were waiting for me to do something.

Except I had no clue what to do next.

Step back and let them at each other? I knew they both had something to say. Warnings from Abby to Sunny about hurting me. How well she knew me. What her expectations of Sunny were. Sunny would be filled with righteous indignation and inform Abby she had known me longer. That she and she alone held the key to my heart. She would admonish Abby and remind her my feelings for her were platonic and she needed to remember that.

I could sit down and watch them as the words were volleyed back and forth. Maybe snag a biscuit or two while they got it out of their systems. I really felt as if they could be friends if we could make it past the initial awkwardness.