Page 47 of One Short Summer

“Alright, Charming. But you better not be skimpy with the cookies.”

“It’s a date.” His chin tips down as his face comes closer. “I. Can’t. Wait.” He pronounces each word slowly before giving me one more quick kiss on my cheek.

Slightly dizzy, I watch him walk out of the room. My brain completely dismisses the mention of a date since it’s just a casual thing people say, right? He knows I don’t date; he asked me once after Charlie made a comment about it.

Plus, movie nights have become our thing during the last year. After I moved in with him, we quickly discovered we’re both homebodies, especially with everything the online streaming devices have to offer.

Not worried one bit about tonight, all I’m left with is a burning sense of anticipation that rushes through my veins, my imagination going crazy thinking of what will happen after the movie. I bathe in the incredible sensation for a few moments before snapping out of it. We’re going to see Gabe’s mom and sister soon, and the last thing I need is either of them noticing how hot I am for him.

Chapter Seventeen

Monica

The smellof baked goods drifts into my nose the second we walk into Rebecca’s house. Gabe’s mom got sucked into Charlie’s baking, just like everyone else did in town. No matter who you visit, chances are pretty good something from Charlie’s bakery is lying around, just waiting to be devoured.

“Hi, sweetie.” Rebecca pulls me into her arms, and I inhale deeply. She smells like roses and something else floral I can’t identify. It’s almost as fragrant as the garden she likes to spend her time in. I’ve never had a green thumb, so other than pointing out what looks pretty to me, I don’t have a clue about flowers.

Gabe’s mom, on the other hand, seems to have about twenty green thumbs, which is apparent the second you peek into her large, well-kept backyard. It’s beautiful and, without a doubt, should be displayed in one of those garden magazines she always has lying around the house.

Since I love spending time with the whole Mitchell family, her scent has become familiar to me. Not to mention she was around a ton last year when I still had my cast, trying to mother me as much as humanly possible.

“It’s so good to have you guys back. We didn’t get a chance to talk to you a lot at the hospital the other day. Did you enjoy your time in Lake Tahoe?”

Her gaze is fixated on me, holding me at arm’s length so she can slowly look me over from head to toe. “You look like you’ve lost some weight though. Is everything okay? Are you hungry? Charlie brought over some fresh pastries earlier. That woman is a blessing, but I swear all of my clothes have been getting tighter. I don’t know how she still looks the way she does with her job.”

“Mom, take a breath.” Gabe comes over and kisses her on the cheek while at the same time slinging an arm around her waist to pull her away from me.

Rebecca laughs and looks at me over her shoulder, mouthing, “Sorry,” before looking back up at her son, squeezing his arm once before dropping her hands to her sides. “It’s not my fault though, you know? Your father left for his business trip, and Dahlia won’t let me spoil her either, so I only have you two right now. Plus, I missed you while you were gone.”

“It’s okay, Mom.” Gabe gives her a quick side hug, which seems to calm her nerves. She really is a sweetheart, loves to dote on her family, and welcomes their friends like me just as much. “Now, where are those goodies Charlie brought?”

We walk into the big, open kitchen I’ve loved from the very first time I saw it. I remember Charlie dragging me here last year, even when I didn’t want to be around a bunch of strangers at that point. After all, I’d come to Brooksville to lick my wounds after the accident and to get better, not to socialize. But she and Hudson had just started getting closer, so she was nervous and wanted me around.

Apparently, I’m an exceptional deflection, whatever that means. Her words, not mine.

How could I say no to that?

Plus, itwasfun seeing those two dance around each other.

Just like with Charlie, the Mitchell family has welcomed me with open arms from the very beginning, making me feel like I truly belong, not only in this town but also in their lives. If it wasn’t for them, I might be withering away in a quiet hotel room all by myself.

Someone nudges my arm, and I look up to see Gabe, his familiar face centering me. Layering me with warmth.

He points toward the kitchen counter and chuckles. “Did you see this? Charlie brought overa fewpastries.” He makes air quotes around “a few,” and I immediately know why. Charlie has no rational eye when it comes to her beloved baked goods. Without a doubt, the amount she brought over could feed the whole neighborhood.

I shake my head but have to laugh. “You know Charlie. Sometimes I wonder if her goal is to fatten up the whole town. She always makes so much extra stuff. And no one seems to be able to say no to her either.”

Rebecca joins in and pats her hips. “You don’t need to tell me. I know exactly where these few extra pounds come from. To be honest though, every ounce was worth it. I just have to get my butt in gear and work out more. Even though I have to say that Thomas has been enjoying the extra curves.” She whispers the last part but to no avail.

We both know Gabe heard what she said when he whines like a little child. “Eww, Mom. I donotwant to hear about you and Dad.”

“Oh, stop it already.” She walks past Gabe and gets some plates from one of the cabinets to hand to us. “Well, dig in. I’m going to check on Dahlia quick, and see if she needs any help. She wanted to take a shower before you guys got here, but everything takes a little longer now with her cast.”

Just then, Dahlia comes around the corner, her long, wet hair falling down her back in big waves. “A little would be good, Mom. Everything takesforeverand is annoying as heck.”

She’s dressed in yoga pants and an oversized T-shirt, a simple ensemble I haven’t seen on her before. Usually, she wears flowy skirts and colorful dresses, always reminding me of her artsy nature.

As if she can read my mind, she scoffs and points at her clothes. “I didn’t think I was going to say that, but even though these clothes don’t feel like me, they’re dang comfortable. Not to mention, they make a lot more sense than sitting at home with a cast and one of my pretty flower dresses.”

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