Page 40 of Summer Affair

“Do you have time for breakfast?” he asked her as she started rinsing her hair.

“Probably not. I’m going to be late as it is.” She sighed. “How about lunch?”

He nodded. “I’m working the dinner shift so I’ll come early and meet you.” He shut off the water when she opened the shower door.

She wrapped a towel around herself, wishing she had enough time to lick the water droplets from his body. She had to shake her head to clear the image from her head.

As she dressed, she thought about how much she enjoyed spending time with him. Even now, he sat on the counter while she did her hair and makeup and chatted easily. Plus, last night had been perfect—dinner, laughter, and knock-your-socks-off sex that felt so natural. So…right. She glanced at the clock. She had just enough time to grab a quick breakfast at River Camps before her first client.

After kissing Dean goodbye in her driveway, she made her way to work. The morning sun was just starting to cast a golden glow over the landscape.

She loved watching the world come alive. Early morning was her favorite time of day. Everything was just waking up, a new blank slate, a canvas that didn’t have a drop of paint on it.

The anticipation of seeing Dean again for lunch brought a smile to her face as she pulled into the camp’s parking lot.

The morning consisted of her usual daily events and her normal client list. She watched and then joined in for a game of water volleyball at the pool during one of her breaks. While she was working, however, she frequently glanced over at the clock. She couldn’t help being impatient for lunchtime.

“What’s got you so eager?” Kara asked her between clients as they checked the schedules.

“Nothing,” she lied quickly.

Kara tilted her head and gave her a look. “Spill,” she said, crossing her arms over her chest.

Andrea rolled her eyes. “Dean and I are having lunch together.” She couldn’t stop the smile.

“Finally. It’s about damn time he made a move.” Kara smiled slowly. “He’s been dancing around you for years. It’s about time the two of you got serious about it.”

The way Kara said it made Andrea think of how Kara had fallen for Carter the year before. Their wedding had been amazing and, even now, her friend glowed whenever she saw or talked about Carter.

“No.” She frowned. It wasn’t the same thing. This was just an affair. Like the many she’d had over the years. Right? She kept telling herself that she should go slow because it was Dean. The truth was, she wanted it to matter more. Whatever she did now, she wasn’t going to tell her friend and coworker that, so she shrugged and said, “We’re just having fun.”

“Right.” Kara chuckled. “Carter and I were just having fun too.”

“For years,” Andrea added as she poked Kara’s side playfully.

“You and Dean have known each other for years.” Kara smiled. “I never thought I’d fall for a friend.”

“A sex friend,” Andrea joked again.

In truth, she was hoping the conversation would move away from her and Dean. She wasn’t ready to think about how deep her feelings for him went. Not yet.

Sure, she’d had a major crush on him for what seemed like her entire life. But school-girl crushes and love were not even on the same playing field. She’d had a lot of crushes over the years. Most of the guys were either married now or had become people she no longer found attractive. Dean was the exception.

While she worked for the rest of the morning, her mind kept comparing Dean with all the other people she’d seen over the years. When the time finally came for lunch, she made her way to the employee dining room, where she found Dean waiting for her, a broad smile on his face.

“Hey there,” he greeted, handing her a brown paper sack. “How about a picnic? We can head out and enjoy the perfect weather.”

“Absolutely,” Andrea replied, her excitement evident.

They walked out to the grounds and headed towards a large oak tree that sat not far from the docks. The shade provided a perfect spot to sit and enjoy their lunch. Andrea spread a blanket on the grass, and they settled down with their sack lunches.

“This is nice,” she said, looking around at the serene setting. “I love breaks like this.”

Dean nodded, taking a bite of his sandwich. “Me too. I could get used to this. Before, I’d quickly gobble my lunch down between events or just sit with coworkers inside.”

She sighed and rolled her shoulders. “Sometimes you just need the quiet of nature.”

He nodded in agreement and they ate in companionable silence for a while, enjoying the peacefulness of the camp and each other’s company. After finishing their lunches, they packed up and walked to the horse barn to enjoy the horses for a few moments.