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“I suppose we’ll see each other a lot, since you’re so close to my dad.”
Cody nodded. “Yeah. We’re practically inseparable.”
She sensed something more to that comment but didn’t ask. “I better get packed.”
Cody met her at the front of the car. They walked into her place together. She watched him look around her place and liked that he seemed to find it surprising.
The outside was a modern structure, but in here was the feel of a cottage. Rich caramel-colored floors dominated the space. The first floor boasted a wall of windows that overlooked a private patio. Dozens of houseplants complemented the flourishing courtyard garden. The outside space was small, but she’d packed in the flowers and greenery. There was a single lounge chair with a small table on the slate patio.
She loved to sit out there soaking up the sun and reading a book. Alone.
The kitchen, dining area, and living room were all just one large open space. Huge photographs of single trees and forests surrounded the room. The sofas were warm brown leather and looked well used. A vibrant blue blanket lay rumpled at one end where she liked to watch TV or stare into the fire.
A thick, chunky wood table dominated the dining room, with a bench seat on one side and suede-covered chairs on the other. The kitchen had all the modern conveniences done in stainless steel, surrounded by simple white Shaker cabinets.
“This place is not what I expected. It’s so... warm and inviting.”
“Make yourself at home. I’ll be upstairs packing. Can I get you something from the kitchen?”
“I’m fine. I’m just going to make another call.”
She assumed he was calling her father with an update and to set up their first meeting. A riot of nerves trembled her system. “I’ll be upstairs if you need anything. It shouldn’t take me long.”
“Summer, I know you’re a little numb right now. Things will be okay. You’ll see. Nate is looking forward to meeting you.” Maybe if he told her enough times, she’d believe it.
She slipped away, silently taking the stairs up to the third floor. Her rooms took up the entire space. She had a large sitting area near the bank of windows. It gave way to her huge bed and led to her bathroom and walk-in closet. She normally walked into the space with a feeling of being surrounded by the things she loved. Today, the space felt as vast and empty as her heart. She didn’t take any joy in seeing her mementos around the room. Her bed didn’t look inviting. It looked empty and too big for one.
It had never bothered her before. But then, there hadn’t been a man in her home, a man she couldn’t look at without feeling something vibrate and wave through her system like a stone being dropped into a still pond. Those ripples went out and alerted her whole body that something—no, someone—had invaded her system, and he wouldn’t be cast out easily.
No, Cody Larkin was a stone, solid as granite. If she grabbed on to him, he wouldn’t slip through her fingers. He’d be a firm handhold on this cliff she found herself clinging to, hoping the fall wouldn’t be too bad if she was let down one more time.
And that was exactly what she feared the most. If her father turned out to be anything like her mother, disappointing her at every turn, she wouldn’t survive.
Walking through her room, she headed straight into her closet.Pulling out her suitcase, she lifted it on top of the counter in the center of the room and threw open the lid. She stood there looking at all her clothes, shoes, and bags.
She froze, unsure what to take or leave.
Cody stood in the doorway. She felt him, more than saw him.
“I spoke to your dad. He can’t wait to see you. Miranda, Nate’s wife, is cooking up a big family dinner.” He entered the room, closing the distance between them. “Summer, you need to pack, so we can go.”
Standing there with him so close, she soaked up the comfort his mere presence offered. “What does one wear to meet their father for the first time, I wonder.”
“Your birthday suit,” he said, making her laugh. “It’s what I was wearing when I met my dad.”
She shook her head. She wanted to make a good impression. She desperately wanted him to like her.
“Light colors and lipstick, according to your mother.” He sounded upset on her behalf. “Personally, I think you look great in that dress. You’d be beautiful in anything.”
She turned and caught the earnest look in his eyes, right before his lids dropped and the hooded sultry look he gave her sent the butterflies in her belly fluttering.
She was being absurd. Her father wouldn’t care what she was wearing.
Cody’s gaze turned inquisitive. “Is your mom always like that?”
“Always.” Summer rolled her eyes. “If I was wearing pink today, she’d have told me that shade didn’t suit me. Then she’d remind me how she only wants the best for me and go on to tell me exactly what that is.”
“Seems to me, you know what’s best for you. You graduated with honors, have a good job. You’ve got a great place, even if the outside is too modern for your taste. You care for what’s yours. You surround yourself with things that mean something to you, or have sentimental value.”
