Chapter 21 #2
I lean in closer, as much as the table between us will let me.
“It’s always about money. I’ve made him enough to pay off his homes in Aspen and Cabo San Lucas five times over.
They have a setup so enriching, his great-grandkids will never have to work a day in their life, and they haven’t been born yet.
” She’s brilliant. “So if I show up in the city without giving notice—”
“Effectively catching everyone off guard.”
“I take back control and get my own team in order.” When she leans in conspiratorially, I know it’s about to get good. “Or we can put our plan into place and force them into defense off the offensive line.”
I grin. “See? I knew you were a hockey fan.”
“Well,” she says, her shoulders pumping twice. “I know a little something about football.” She rolls her eyes. “Not by choice.” I’m blaming Dolly. She’s a sports fanatic disguised in grandma clothing.
But hearing sports terminology, even if it is football, only amplifies my attraction to Summer, leading me to realize this trip could do double duty.
We will finally have the privacy we want and need.
Selfish? Maybe. My favorite pastime has become getting her off.
But we should get medals for the restraint we have to hold back.
“How do you feel about a trip to New York?”
Sitting back, she’s relaxed with the ease of a smile on a lazy Sunday, situated front and center. “When are we talking?”
I turn our hands over and back again. “An hour?”
She laughs. “I’ll have to check my schedule.” She pretends to flip through the air. “Oh look. I’m free. Since Rodgers bailed on the pipes as above his knowledge, the other guy can’t start anything until this coming Wednesday. We’ll be back by then, right?”
“I’ll get you back by then.” I stand, evoking her to do the same. Her hand is still in mine as I come around to her to hold her in my arms. “Is it wrong to be this excited to wreak havoc on people I thought I could trust?”
“Probably, but they’ve already chosen a side. So they already broke the trust.”
I lean down to kiss her, sliding my hand from the side of her neck to the back of her head. Her lips have become more home to me than my penthouse. And when we part, I whisper, “I can’t wait to make love to you.”
Staring into my eyes, she holds my shoulder. “I want nothing more.” I believe her.
We step apart. The kitchen of a busy household isn’t really the place to get us wound up. I clear my throat and say, “I need to call Mia to see if Roman can stay with her while we’re there. I know she misses him, and he misses her, but I don’t know her plans.”
The kitchen door swings open, and Dolly, on a mission, goes straight for the fridge. “He can stay with us if he wants. It’s only a few nights.”
Two immediate thoughts: Oh shit. How much of our conversation did she hear?
I glance at Summer, whose eyes are currently squeezed closed, certain she’s in a state of mortification.
I guess it’s good I didn’t say how I really felt—that I want to fuck her until she forgets her name and only remembers mine.
Second, the idea of Roman staying isn’t something that crossed my mind. “I would need to talk to Roman.”
As if on cue, Roman runs in—red-faced from the heat—and straight to the cabinet where the cups live to retrieve one.
“Can I?” I’m thinking these two are working together.
I really fucking hope he didn’t hear what I said to Summer.
Dolly is one thing and rough enough. My son is a whole other thing that will lead me to have to talk about the birds and the bees, and that’s not something I want to get into this summer.
“That’s a kind offer, Dolly, but that’s a big change to your day.”
“Roman is a highlight of my day. It’s fun to have a kid in the house again.”
I look at Summer, who seems good with this plan if I am. “I need to check with Mia, but I’m sure his mother will be fine with it.”
Filling the cup with water from the faucet, Roman says, “I already asked, and she said it’s okay if I’m good with it. I’m good with it, Dad.” He starts chugging water like he’s about to be charged for any left over.
Scratching the back of my neck, I’m starting to wonder if the joke is on me. “I just decided to go to the city five minutes ago. When did you ask?”
“Yesterday.”
Should I be concerned that my kid is functioning a full day ahead of me or that he might be psychic?
He starts giggling like he’s in on a joke I’m clearly not in on. “You always take a meeting, so I was just talking to Mom about it and asked.”
That doesn’t make me feel good. I go to him and kneel. “I don’t have to go.”
“No. This time, it’s okay. I want to stay. Dolly said we can stay up late and watch movies, eat candy for dinner, and—”
“Did she now?” Summer asks, shooting her grandmother quite the look.
“You survived somehow,” Dolly replies with a roll of her eyes that’s way too familiar.
When I turn back to Roman, I ask, “Are you sure?”
Setting his cup in the sink, he says, “Yep.”
Summer walks to the door, and says, “I’ll let you guys work this out. I need to figure out what I’m wearing for the big city, and pack.” She’s gone before any of us can say another word. But through the swinging door, she asks, “Who fixed the loose baluster?”
Roman hurries after her. “Dad and I did yesterday.” He took pride in the job we did, but to hear it in his tone is double the reward.
I look at Dolly when it’s just the two of us. “Are you really okay with this?”
“I’m really okay with this. Roman is a joy, polite, and brings life back into the house again. And you’ve done that for Summer. I’d like nothing more for you two to have the time alone you need.”
Pushing out a breath and a chuckle, I grasp the back of my neck. “Thank you, Dolly.”
Before I reach the door, she says, “Summer is strong, I’ll give her that.”
I turn back. “She is.”
“It would be nice if she didn’t have to be so strong all the time. When she lets her guard down, take it as the honor it is and protect that heart of hers.”
“I won’t hurt her.”
Our eyes stay unblinking until she breaks our gaze. Giving me a cheeky grin, she says, “Best not. I’m the last person you want to deal with.” She pulls a bowl of veggies out of the fridge to set on the counter. When she looks back at me, she adds, “Go show her a good time. She deserves it.”
“I will.”
I leave the kitchen and text Mia:
Did Roman ask you about staying in Mountain Laurel Cove when I come to the city?
She doesn’t reply right away, so I start up the stairs to pack my bags. Before I reach Summer’s bedroom, my phone buzzes with a message:
He said he’s having the time of his life, so if you trust the family, I’m okay with it. How long?
I type:
Two nights.
Mia:
I’m good with that. He’s loving it and said some days he doesn’t play video games at all.
I reply:
He’s having an analog summer, and it’s been great to see him so happy playing outside. He never wants to come in.
Mia:
I’m happy to hear that. I’m heading out, but I wanted to tell you that I’m glad you two are having this time together, Daniel.
Me:
I am too.
Mia:
Have a good trip.
Me:
Thanks.
There’s a lot to accomplish in a short time, but having Summer with me and the private time alone have me ready to take on the world. New York, here we come.