Page 45 of One Sultry Summer

“Is something wrong?”

“Nope.”

“Are my friends a bit too much? I know it can take a little time to get used to them. They are better in small doses.” She poked at my chest. “See what I did there, I made a doctor’sreference.” The corner of my mouth lifted slightly. “Okay, it was corny. But it wasn’t that bad, was it?”

Here she was, being cute and funny and I was ready to be an ass. I desperately needed not to become so attached. “When are you leaving town?”

Her face changed from a full smile to a blank canvas as she stared up at me, trying to gauge my intentions. “Why do you ask?” Her voice was tinged with confusion and a hint of hurt. I need to tone it down a notch.

“I’m only asking because I know this trip is temporary and you need to return home soon.” She dropped her hands from my waist and stood back.

“At this point, I might be leaving sooner than later. Right now, I’m just waiting to hear from my employer.” She turned and walked back up the steps to the house and slammed the screen door shut.

I mumbled under my breath, “Fuck! Why am I like this? Maybe she had a point about me having a dissociative identity disorder.” I shook my head at my stupidity and quickly pulled the steaks from the grill.

Chapter 17

Valerie Masterson

My shoulders jerked upward as the screen door slammed behind me. I took a deep breath as I stepped further into the mudroom. I was hoping no one would notice the fury that settled within me.

Why does it seem like Wyatt wanted me to leave town? Have I overstayed my welcome? I’ll never know since he likes to keep his feelings to himself. I took another deep breath and walked into the kitchen.

Everyone stopped what they were doing and stared at me. I lifted an eyebrow. “What.”

“What’s wrong?” Devin asked.

I was doing my best to keep it together. “I’mgonna miss this town when I leave, that’s all.”

Rae stepped in front of me and wrapped me in her arms. “Listen, we all know there’s more to that, and we’re here if you need us.”

Toni spoke up. “Yup. Just give us a call and we’ll help bury the body.” She was next to wrapping her arms around me. I felt a little tug at my dress. Emily’s eyes were filled with concern.

“You have to leave, pretty lady?” I nodded. Tears filled her eyes, and she hugged me. I bent down and wrapped my arms around her. That’s when the tears I was holding back escaped me like a busted dam.

There was audible sniffing as my friends knew I’d become attached to Emily. She reminds me a lot of myself, a strong-willed girl who wasn’t afraid to explore unfamiliar things. I pulled back and wiped a tear from her face.

“Come on, let’s finish getting the food ready. I’m not leaving tomorrow, so we still have time to hang out.” I grabbed her small hand, andshe followed me to the kitchen counter. When Wyatt walked into the kitchen, silence enveloped the room. He placed the baking sheet filled with steaks on the counter and wrapped it with aluminum foil.

“Wyatt, can I see you alone for a minute.” His mother spoke quietly, but I knew she wasn’t happy with him. His dad grabbed another beer and followed them outside. Everyone else slowly returned to what they were working on.

“Is anyone going to address the elephant in the room?” Ronda said as she placed a pitcher of sweet tea on the counter.

“Do we have elephants?” Emily asked.

“No honey, it’s just a thing people say.” I gave Ronda the evil eye. She took the hint, and no one brought up the real reason why I cried. They all knew I had fallen deeply for the grumpy doctor and his daughter. I was even contemplating staying on permanently. I was a fool to think that he cared for me that way.

My friends returned to their joyful selves as they joked about an upcoming birthday. When Wyatt and his family walked back in we acted as if nothing had happened, then Emily spoke.

“Daddy. What does the elephant in the room mean?”

Toni snickered, “We were teaching her sayings that had animals in them. You know, like a snake in the grass.”

“Toni. Enough!” I snapped.

She shrugged her shoulders. “What? It’s just an expression.” She sipped her wine.

Layla handed her a piece of garlic bread. “Here, eat this. I think your blood sugar is low.”

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