Page 51 of Tequila Lime and Sunshine

“What about all the years you acted like I didn’t exist?” she counters.

“That was me trying to keep myself from acting like an idiot around you.”

She laughs, and I lean down to give her a soft kiss on the corner of her mouth. “Now come on. You’re coming to set with me today.”

Her eyes widen. “Really? I’m allowed to come?”

I roll out of bed and shrug. “Probably not, but I can be pretty persuasive. I don’t know how much time I have with you, so I refuse to waste any of it. You’re spending every second with me. Even if it means sitting by my side while I work.”

Her smile is the only confirmation I need. “I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

Thirty minutes later, we’re dressed and ready to go. Summer looks fantastic with her bouncy chestnut curls and big blue eyes. She’s in a casual dress and sandals but looks more beautiful than ever. Maybe because I know she’s mine now. I’m excited to show her off to everyone on set.

I feel almost giddy when I link her hand with mine as we walk to the cafe down the street for coffee and a quick breakfast. The sun isn’t even up yet, so we don’t have much company in the restaurant as we eat. I snap a picture of Summer drinking her coffee and send it to her with the message, The best breakfast view. Her cheeks turn an adorable shade of pink.

After breakfast, I drive us to the set. It’s in the heart of downtown, so I point out as many touristy things as I can while driving. She keeps her eyes glued to the window to see everything while our hands stay linked.

When we get to set, the security guy gives me a little grief for bringing a guest but ultimately lets me bring Summer in after she bats her eyelashes a few times, a skill I wish I had.

The models are getting ready, so I get my things set up.

Summer sits in the chair they’ve slotted for me while I talk to the lighting guy and designer and make sure we’re on the same page with the shoot vision. The shoot is for running shoes, and since they’re pretty colorful, the set is neutral in color to allow the shoes to be highlighted.

“Hey, Sunshine.” I walk over and grab her hands. “Can you be my test model for a sec? Just want to make sure the lighting is right.” She tries to say no, but I pull her up anyway and put her where I need her, grabbing my camera. I snap away and move to different angles. Summer loosens up and gives me little poses as I move around her.

“Gorgeous.” I pull her into me and kiss her, still in disbelief that she’s here, and I can kiss her where anyone might see.

“Well, well, well. Look who it is.” My agent’s voice booms across the set. He comes to most of my shoots, especially for bigger clients. He hadn’t confirmed he would be here today, but I had my suspicions.

“Hey, Brandon. How’s it going?” I step away from Summer to shake his hand.

“It’s going.” He looks over my shoulder at Summer. “Who do we have here?”

I pull her next to me with a stupid grin. “This is my girlfriend, Summer.”

His eyes go wide at the mention of her name, and he looks back and forth between us. “Hold on. This is Summer? THE Summer?”

I laugh. I guess I’ve talked about her a lot over the years, especially if we were on location together and had one too many drinks after work. “This is Summer.”

Summer shakes his outstretched hand. “Summer. Wow. So you’re finally putting my boy out of his misery? He’s been waiting a long ass time for you.”

Summer smiles politely. If she thought I was kidding about being head over heels for her for years, Brandon just confirmed it.

“Well, in my defense, I had no idea he felt that way until a few weeks ago.”

Brandon shakes his head. “Yeah, sometimes this man is an idiot. I told him to tell you a long time ago, but he kept saying he couldn’t. I’m glad he finally grew a pair.”

“Hey!” I interject. “I’m standing right here.”

Brandon shrugs. “It’s nothing I wouldn’t say directly to you.” He turns back to Summer. “Anyway, I’m happy for you two. We’ll have to celebrate soon.”

“Thank you.”

“Hawke, you ready to do this? Models are almost ready,” the set coordinator says, coming over.

“Yep. I’m ready.” I give Summer one last kiss before she heads back to my chair.

I introduce myself to the models and go over what we’re looking for before they take their places, and I get to work. Occasionally throughout the shoot, I’ll look over my shoulder and see Summer smiling at me. Just having her here, watching me like she’s fucking proud of me, makes me so damn happy. Seeing her smile at me like that makes me know without a doubt that I’m head over heels in love with her.