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“Yeah, but they’re leaving.”
“What’s wrong with that? I thought you were only in this for a good time? That’s what you’ve been telling me this whole month at least. Summer, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” she lied. It was a big lie. A fat lie that was crushing her chest like a giant weight resting on her heart.
“Are you sure?” Brooke finished up the sweeping, having put all the crumbs, dust, and other miscellaneous debris from the day’s trade into a dustpan. “You seem like something’s up. You know you can talk to me. We’re friends.”
“You’re a good friend, Brooke. And a good worker. Just good all around. I kind of feel bad talking about this kind of stuff with you too. Especially since you’re younger than me.”
“You’re not even three full years older than me. We were in high school at the same time, for heaven’s sake. What’s up?”
Summer sighed and pouted. She needed a coffee. About a pound of cake and some wine would be a lot better. On the other hand, that would only leave her feeling even worse the moment she was finished. It was tempting still. “Would you like me to make you a caramel latte? I think something sweet and caffeinated is what I need right now. I’ll even throw in a pecan bar.” She paused. “Two. It’s been that kind of month.”
Brooke said a laugh. “After all, no one can have just one.”
“No, two’s a lot better,” Summer said as she worked the coffee machine. She remained quiet until she was almost finished putting together two caramel lattes with little hearts drawn in the foam. “Here you go.”
“So, real talk. Where are they shipping out to?” Brooke asked.
“They’re not allowed to tell me. I’m not family. I’m just ... some girl they’ve been sleeping with, I suppose.” Summer sipped at the delicious coffee, but it didn’t do anything to cheer her up.
“You do have feelings for them. Have you told them how you feel?” Brooke’s voice held no judgment.
“I can’t do that. It wouldn’t be fair to them anyway. And also, there’s something else.”
Summer took a big gulp of her coffee. It was only just cool enough now to do that without burning her throat. She thought of the heat that she’d shared with Lucas and Chase when they’d been together. It had been more than just a few times by this point. They’d been hooking up every chance they got. Since she was the one getting the extra shifts when her boss wanted to go out on a date, Brooke was well aware of how often the threesome had come together.
“What else is there?” Brooke asked. “They’re not shipping out to the other side of the planet, right?” She stopped and thought for a moment. “I guess they might be stationed just about anywhere, huh? It really could be the other side of the—oh, I’m sorry!”
Summer sighed. “No, it’s okay. And it’s true enough. Who knows where they might end up? And I’m still not gonna be the one to make the first move. They want me to be their girl, they’ll let me know. Otherwise, well, I guess they don’t want me after all.”
“You really want them to take the initiative, huh?”
“It’s just how I am,” Summer said.
“I knew a girl like that in high school. She moved away so we don’t talk any more really. She liked letting her boyfriend make the decisions, said it made her feel taken care of. I found it so strange at the time, but he was the sweetest guy to her. Looking back, I guess she just felt being treasured was nice.”
“I imagine it is nice.”
“I knew it,” Brooke hooted. “You’re into that kind of thing too!”
“What kind of thing?” Summer said, eyes widening. She couldn’t let her employee find out about her secret, that she was into something kinky like that. What if word got out around this place? She was a small business owner, and Jacksonville wasn’t exactly the biggest city in the country. People were judgmental.
Brooke smiled knowingly, taking a sip of her coffee. “Relax. BDSM play is a totally normal thing now. Even for people your age. You’re only in your twenties, come on. Your secret’s safe with me. I could even tell you about the time—”
“Please don’t,” Summer said hastily, cheeks burning. She cleared her throat. “Aren’t you a little young. . .”
Brooke snorted. “Hey, my boyfriend and I have a pair of fluffy handcuffs we like to play with sometimes. He even asks me to put them on him sometimes. It’s just some fun, and we both like it. What’s the harm in that?”
Summer sighed, eyeing some of the double chocolate fudge they’d prepared that Thursday. “I give up. But I’m not putting my heart on the line like that, no way. I just can’t do it. Whatever happens at the end of this month, I’m gonna roll with the punches and that’s how it’ll be.”
“Who said anything about punches? Sow your wild oats and keep your heart to yourself.” Brooke’s advice was sound.
“Out of the mouths of babes,” Summer muttered. And she helped herself to a piece of that insanely high calorie fudge.
Chapter 10
Lucas
