Page 38 of Tequila Lime and Sunshine

“Yeah. She’s doing great. She’s happy.”

“It’s funny that she’s never been to LA since she has a travel blog. You’d think she would go out there since she knows someone,” Holden adds. A subtle jab that he had her, and I didn’t.

“It is funny.” I finally look over at him. He doesn’t look happy, and I assume he still suspects something is going on with Summer and me. I’m glad he hasn’t asked recently because I don’t know if I’d be able to lie to him. “Maybe I can convince her to come out there soon.”

No one needs to know that I’m going to try my hardest to get her to come out to LA. I’m just waiting until the right moment. I know she said she’s busy after this trip, but she’s got to have some downtime eventually. And if she doesn’t, I’ll go to her. I don’t care what it takes.

Dad changes the subject to something about the HOA in their neighborhood, and we thankfully stop talking about Summer. Holden and Carly are the first to leave the table when we’re finished eating dinner.

When I stand to leave, Mom pulls me into a hug. “You’ve looked so happy on this trip, Hawke. I hope you know I support anything that makes you this happy.”

Shit. She definitely knows something is going on with Summer. I know Summer didn’t tell anyone. She seems like she would rather bite off her left arm than tell anyone we’re hooking up. So that must mean we aren’t hiding it as well as we hoped.

“Thanks, Mom.” It’s all I can say right now. She releases me with one last squeeze. I tell my dad goodbye and head back to my room to see my girl.

When I walk in, she’s lying on her bed with a book. I’d be pissed she’s in her bed and not mine if it wasn’t for the fact that she’s wearing my shirt.

“Sunshine, you’re in the wrong fucking bed.”

She looks up from her book, but before she can say anything, I scoop her up and walk her to my bed. I strip down to my boxers and climb in with her.

“This is where you belong, Summer. Right here. In my bed. In my arms. Right fucking here.”

I feel her shiver and pull her closer, nuzzling her neck. It doesn’t last long because before I know what’s happening, she’s grinding her ass against my dick, and I’m sucking on her shoulder. Then I end up between her legs, which I’ve decided is my favorite place in the whole fucking world.

CHAPTER 19

Summer

Hawke and I eat breakfast together at the buffet like usual. It’s become our routine. Our days together are numbered and I know I’m going to miss this: the lazy mornings in bed, quiet walks down to the buffet, our pinkies intertwined, and him bumping my shoulder in the food line just to make me smile. Sitting in silence and eating, just enjoying the moment. I’ve even stopped scrolling through my phone over breakfast. I’m trying to slow down and take in my surroundings.

It’s been nice.

And while I’m excited to move on to my next destination because I’m not used to staying in one place for this long, my heart feels heavy this time. I’ve been in a comfortable bubble. And even though I told myself not to get too attached to Hawke, I think it happened anyway.

“What are our plans for the day?” Hawke asks on our way back to the room. Of course he says ‘our plans.’ He’s invited himself to everything I’ve planned this whole trip, and honestly, I love it.

“Well, I have to call Asher this morning to discuss my next trip.” I got an email this morning showing a new flight from New York to Arizona in a few days. I need to get the final details from her on that. “And then I’m not sure. Maybe hang by the pool? Have one too many margaritas. Anything you wanted to do today?”

“Actually, yes.” His pinky slides into mine, and the butterflies release in my stomach. I’ve never felt like this before. Every touch from him makes me feel giddy, which will make it so much harder to say goodbye to him.

“Oh, yeah? What is it?”

A sly smile appears on his face. “It’s a surprise.”

“Ok. . .”

“Take your work call on the balcony, and I’ll let you know when it’s ready.” He pulls me toward our room.

“When what’s ready?” I press.

“Sunshine, that’s not how surprises work. I can’t tell you.”

“Ugh. I hate surprises,” I whine.

“No, you don’t. Remember your fourteenth birthday, when Holden and I surprised you with a homemade ice cream cake and took you to the fair and made you ride every ride there?”

I laugh. I do remember that. It’s one of my favorite birthday memories. No birthday has ever compared to the ones I celebrated with the Wilson boys. “That’s different.”