Page 57 of XOXO, Summer
Mrs. Dover returns to the bottom of the steps and takes hold of my upper arm. “They’re not coming out until after the Fourth of July. Give it some thought and let me know what you come up with. I realize it might be out of your ability to afford, but for me, that’s money I can’t turn down,especially when I’m looking at a mountain of issues to fix to keep it going.”
“I’ll think about it.” I’d been putting off mentally digging into the details of what I’ll be committing to both financially and personally with Daniel. I don’t want to owe him or anyone money. But how will that shape what feels like a relationship in the making? I like him. Will that be what it ultimately comes down to?Daniel’s money or Daniel?
I don’t like the way this is turning, but it seems unavoidable. A hard decision must be made. I just hope I have time to dig through the details of his offer and my heart before having to decide. “Thank you, Mrs. Dover.”
She starts back up the steps and stands on the porch, an obvious hint that it’s time for me to go. “You take care, Summer.”
I get in my car and start the engine just as a wave of harsh reality washes through me. Owning the Cove Cottage might not be possible. That sparks a streak of stubbornness, a desire to prove her wrong. I’m not ready to give up this dream.
Startled by a knock on the door, I jump back to see Mrs. Dover standing there. I roll down the window. “Mrs. Dover, what is it?”
“July thirty-first. That’s the date they’re coming with the contract.” She taps the hood. “I’m rooting for you.”
Although I can’t say I feel she truly is, I reply, “Thanks.”
When she walks away, I start driving home.
A deal is already in the works, but something made her want to share more details. Maybe she is rooting for me.
With more than a month to decide whether to jump into this bidding war and make an offer, I can breathe easier knowing I have some time.
Is this a good investment for my inheritance andDaniel’s money? It’s not. I’ve said as much. There’s no paying back a loan. Does my pretending to be his girlfriend really justify the money?
My gut knows this is wrong. My head can’t rationalize spending that kind of money when it comes to owing Daniel. But my stinkin’ heart keeps me fighting.
When I pull onto the driveway, I don’t see Daniel’s car. My heart picks up, sending it straight into panic mode. What if he’s gone?For good?
Him.
Roman.
The offer he made.
Would he leave without a word?
I don’t think so, but I hold my breath until I see his black sports car parked in the no-parking zone and can breathe again.
They don’t notice when I pull in or park the car. They’re busy having fun in the water—splashing and chasing each other. I’m sitting here wondering when my life started depending on Daniel Sutton.
I don’t know what spell he’s put me under, but there’s an instinct to fight it either way, which is so unlike me.He’sso unlike me.
I’m all about rules. He’s all about breaking them.
He has more money than I could dream of having. I’m relying on the last of my inheritance and a bonus his stay would give me to pay my bills.
I like order. I’m certain he’s into a bit of chaos. That might just be to rattle me in teasing, though.
He oozes sex appeal and has those abs. I have nocomparison.
Those differences shrinkat this moment. Seeing him play with Roman, remembering how he speaks to him at his level and never down to him, and watching him be the dad he never had tells me the real man he is.
I haven’t seen the side that needs to soften.
I’ve not experienced the part of him that only lives for his sport.
He’s treated me with nothing less than respect, even taking it slow like our relationship matters to him more than a casual hook-up.
And he’s taken to my family like they’re his own, and they’ve brought him and Roman into the fold without an ounce of hesitation.
