Page 180 of Summer After Summer

“I didn’t buy the house to spite you.”

“Why then?”

“You must know.”

“I don’t.”

“Olivia … I bought it for you.”

My hands start to tingle. “But why?”

“Because I want you to be happy. And this is where you’re happiest. I’ve always known it.”

“You bought it for me. Even though you thought I’d ignored your note?”

He takes a step closer, his hands at his sides.

If I take a step, I’ll be in his arms.

“But you didn’t.”

“But you thought I did.”

“I know, but … I’ve never been able to move on. I knew from that first conversation on the beach that we were meant to be. And every time we’ve been together, summer after summer, has confirmed it. There’s never been anyone like you. I’ve tried. More than once. But it was no use.”

“Why can’t we make it work then?”

“Timing, I think. When you were ready, I wasn’t. And vice versa.” He takes the charm from my palm, his fingers grazing my skin. “Fifth time’s the charm?”

I half laugh, half cry. “Yes, Fred. Yes.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’ve never been more certain of anything.”

He pulls me to him, his mouth on mine in an instant.

Our mouths crash together, our arms lock around each other, and oh, oh, oh. This kiss. This kiss. My god, how could I live without this for so long?

I want to get lost in it. In him. I want to stay this way forever, but we’re in a boardroom in daylight, and that seems like a bad idea.

I pull away. “There’s one thing.”

“Naturally.”

“I’m still married.”

“I heard you were separated.”

“Oh?”

He pulls me closer. “New York is a gossipy place.”

“I’ve never paid attention.”

“It’s one of the things I love about you.”

I feel weak at the word. “This is nuts, you know, us thinking about this.”

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