Page 49 of The Summer that Changed Everything

“I didn’t think so. What about your mother? You never reconnected with her?”

“Maybe you forgot, but I didn’t know where she was. I still don’t. And I don’twantto know.”

“You’ve never tried to look for her?”

“No. I figure I’m probably better off without someone like that in my life.”

He studied her for several seconds, long enough that she began to feel uncomfortable.

“What?” she said, scowling at him.

“You should be proud of yourself,” he replied.

She laughed humorlessly. “For what?” She thought it was pretty cool that she’d been able to buy a car and a condo and amass some savings. But that would be nothing to him.

“Not only did you survive, you landed on your feet. Not many people could’ve pulled that off.”

Wishing his praise didn’t feel quite so good, she told herself not to take it seriously. Words were just words. “I appreciate that. I’m glad things have gotten easier.”

“So am I.” He stood and gathered his glass and plate. “I’ll let you get back to your night—and I’ll call you tomorrow after I talk to Darren.”

Grabbing her own plate and glass, she followed him inside. “You weren’t serious about contacting Reggie, were you?”

“I was.”

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”

“You’ve said as much.”

“You’re not going to listen?”

“Nope,” he replied, but tossed her such a devilish grin she wanted to smile back.

Resisting, she looked away while putting her dishes in the sink. “I guess that’s your choice.” She turned on the faucet so she could rinse the dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. “Thanks for the cake.”

He didn’t walk out like she expected. He stood next to her, close enough that she could feel the heat of his body, and waited until she looked up at him again. Then he lifted his hand and wiped her bottom lip with his thumb. “Frosting,” he explained.

The beat of her heart seemed to radiate through her whole body as she met his gaze. Then the memories came rushing back—not only of the first time they’d kissed but of making love with him on the beach.

Lucy ordered herself to blank her mind, feel nothing, but that crooked smile of his, not to mention the way he smelled—so clean and warm and male—made her wish she could lean into him, if only for a moment. Apparently, she, who had such trouble getting close to men, still craved what she’d lost in this place.

Maybe that was really what’d driven her back... She was trying to plug that hole. There were still times, like now, when she asked herself why she hadn’t meant more to him. It didn’t matter that she’d been only seventeen. Had their roles been reversed, she never would’ve abandoned him.

“Thanks,” she muttered as if she felt nothing, but she could barely breathe and stayed right where she was for several minutes after he let himself out.

Lucy had ended up in Vegas? That was more than halfway across the country. Ford couldn’t help wondering what’d drawn her there, other than the fact that she’d probably wanted to get as far away from North Hampton Beach as possible.

He wondered what she did for a living and where she’d gotten the savings she’d mentioned. Obviously, she didn’t like talking about her past, but he was curious. What had she been forced to do? Eat out of garbage cans? Sleep on the street? How desperate had she gotten?

The images that paraded across the stage of his mind made him cringe. He felt he was part of the reason she’d had nosupport. He certainly could have and should have done more to help her. Although... at seventeen, he probably couldn’t have done enough. Still, he’d feel better about himself if he could at least say he hadn’t piled on.

He thought of how much she seemed to enjoy the cake he’d brought her tonight. Christina had always had so much. She wouldn’t have thought anything about getting some leftovers, homemade or not. She could have a chef bake her whatever cake she asked for. She probably wouldn’t eat something that calorie-laden, anyway.

Lucy, on the other hand, had closed her eyes and savored every bite. And seeing how much she enjoyed it made him happy he’d given it to her...

It was such a simple thing. But it was joy about the simple things that was missing in his life.

His phone rang and his estranged wife’s picture popped up on Caller ID. He wanted to remain courteous to Christina, which meant he should answer her calls. But he couldn’t bring himself to do it, not when he was finally feeling a little warmer inside. He hadn’t felt human in so long. He’d been completely empty, just kept pushing himself to fulfill his duties and responsibilities so he wouldn’t let his mother and brother down.

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