Page 70 of No Summer Hotter than You

“Aw, c’mon, Julie. I know how much you love camping?—”

“Shoua, we’re rooming together, right?” Julie cut me off, making me snicker.

My girlfriend smiled at her cousin. “Of course,” Shoua said, glancing at me.

“What? Tink, you’re rooming with Shoua?” Andy asked Julie as he came up behind her.

“I want to spend some time with Shoua and sleep in my own bed,” she muttered, whipping her head toward him, clearly agitated.

I couldn’t help but let out a little chuckle, earning a pointed glare from Andy. “Looks like we’re going to be roomies, bro.”

Andy let out a dissatisfied low groan as he stalked back to his car to help grab bags from the trunk.

Meanwhile, Julie went to help my mom with the groceries. Shoua and I watched the couple as they seethed in their irritation with furrowed brows and frustrated frowns.

“See? I told you Julie and I were going to room together,” she said and then chuckled.

I scoffed with a smile tugging the corners of my lips. “They’ll make up by tomorrow night and you’ll be stuck sleeping with me.”

Shoua raised an eyebrow at me as her lips tipped into an amused smirk. “I doubt it.”

I laughed. “I suggest you not unpack everything because you’ll eventually be moving into my room. I can guarantee that one hundred percent.”

“Don’t be so sure of it, gorgeous.”

I tipped my head to the side, looking down at her as smugly as I could. I blinked slowly as my eyes traveled down to her plush lips. “Oh, I’m sure of it.”

CHAPTER 28

shoua

I let out a long sigh as I opened one of the windows in the room Julie and I chose. The breeze that blew in was a welcome relief from the scorching heat of the valley, and it carried the scent of pine and fresh lake water. Our room was spacious, equipped with a luxurious, king-sized canopy bed that I couldn’t wait to sink into. Anthony and Andy claimed the room next to us as soon as we set our bags down, much to Julie’s dismay. She wanted space between her and Andy.

Julie sighed exasperatedly when Andy peeked into our room with sad eyes. I was surprised she managed to ignore him. She shooed him away and turned to me with an apologetic smile.

“I’m sorry I’ve been so busy lately. Let’s catch up all night. I’ve missed talking to you,” she said. “I brought a bunch of Korean cotton face masks so we can have a nice spa night, just you and me.”

“Sounds like the perfect way to end the night,” I said with a nod.

Julie stepped closer, her voice dipping into a low whisper as she lightly bumped her elbow into mine. “Tell me all about you and Anthony. I can’t wait to hear everything. I’ve only heard a few juicy details from Jonathan.”

“Please. Your brother doesn’t even know half the details,” I whispered, making Julie raise a brow, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

“Are you two going to have a dip in the lake with us?” Andy asked, leaning against the doorway and wearing swim trunks. Anthony stood behind him, similarly dressed.

“C’mon, you two! Go for a swim with us!” he urged.

“We haven’t even been here for five minutes and you two are already half-naked,” I said as I laughed. “At least eat lunch first. We can always jump in later.”

“Isn’t that the whole point of taking a retreat up to a secluded place, though? Getting all naked and everything?” Anthony said with a smirk.

Andy snickered, and Julie and I shared a look of annoyance. “Anyways, you all can talk. I’m going to go help our moms with lunch,” Julie said, walking up to the two blocking her exit. The twins stayed in place. “All right, pretty boy, I’d appreciate it if you move out the way.”

Andy’s eyes glimmered at the sound of Julie’s nickname for him. “Only if you let me be in the kitchen too and help you all,” he said.

“Fine,” Julie replied.

A wide grin spread across Andy’s face as he grabbed Julie’s hand and pulled her into the room next door. “Let me put on a shirt first,” he said as she let out a low grumble. The door immediately closed behind them.

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