Page 66 of XOXO, Summer
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 allthe 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.”
