Page 3 of Sweet Summer

I push the swinging door open, smoothing down my hair as I make my way over to them. You know, just in case the mystery man turns out to be some absolute hottie, but I digress. I see him in front of me and wow…the curves of his biceps blend flawlessly into broad, muscular shoulders. I can’t help but imagine running my fingertips along the skin on the back of his tanned arms, and it makes me shudder.

Nonetheless, Maisey has a surprise for me.

“Well, I do love a good surprise…”

Maisey takes the mystery guy by the shoulders and turns him around.

Holy cow.

Wyatt?

“Hey, Freya.”

The surge of familiarity, nostalgia, and homegrown happiness is instantaneous. It’s my Wyatt. Wyatt Hogan. Seeing him brings a flood of memories filled with chasing fireflies under the moonlit sky, skinned knees from falling off our bikes on dirt roads, and summer evenings running through fields playing hide and seek.

Both hands fly to my mouth in an effort to blanket my surprise as he covers the space between us to wrap me in a giant hug.

“Wyatt!!” I honestly can’t stop myself. I fling myself into his arms, and we hold on to one another, hugging and laughing for what feels like an eternity.

“Go easy on him, Freya,” Maisey teases. “He’s a fireman now, so we need him kept safe.” Is that pride I detect in my aunt’s voice?

“Wait. You’re a fireman now?”

Grinning, Wyatt nods. “Guilty. I didn’t want to tell you until everything was official. That and it’s been a big year of change and a lot of studying.”

“He really is a fireman now, although I think Wyatt’s technically what’s called a probie, right?” Maisey looks at Wyatt for confirmation, which she receives in the form of a nod.

I step back to look at him, pointing to his head. “You got a haircut.”

“I figured it was time to lose the man bun.” Wyatt’s voice drips with sarcasm, but it’s sexy on him. “Plus I didn’t want it to catch fire.”

“Did it really get that long?”

Wyatt shakes his head, laughing out loud and making me laugh with him. I forgot how infectious his laugh could be. “No, but it was long enough. I’m happy to have it short. I can make my shampoo last so much longer now.”

“Good to know.” I nudge him in the ribs. “You’ve bulked up! I guess it’s for your job?”

“Leave him alone, Freya. He’s not just saving kittens in trees all day.” She pushes me out of the way playfully as she hands Wyatt his takeout order. “We love our essential workers here, Wyatt, so make sure to remind folks at the firehouse that all of you get seventy-five percent off food at all times, got it?”

Wyatt nods, tipping an invisible hat Maisey’s way. “Got it, Maisey, I’ll let them know.” He lifts the takeout bag. “Everyone’s orders are here?”

“You bet. And I made a note on Reid’s steak sandwich so Dylan doesn’t eat it by mistake again.”

“You’re the best. Thanks, Maisey.” He turns his attention back to me. “And look at you! Honestly, Freya, I had no idea that was even you when I came in. All I saw was someone struggling. Figured Maisey hired a new waitress who couldn’t keep up.”

I narrow my eyes at him playfully. “So you had to wrap your arms around me?” Not that I was complaining.

“Well, you looked like a sumo wrestler about to fall off a balance beam.”

“Really. You’re going there? You know, I hold a lot of your secrets, Hogan, don’t mess with me. I know where your bodies are buried.”

Wyatt runs his fingers through his jet black hair. “You don’t scare me, Fredericks. The only time I fear you is when we play darts. Or when you’re driving a car, that can be horrific.”

“Lucky for you, I’m not doing either at this moment.” I reach into my apron pocket, grab the keys to the John Deere, and hold them in the air. “I drove the lawnmower to work today. Someone forgot to leave the car keys—I’m not naming names but we’ll say it rhymes with Daisy.” Stepping back, I look him up and down. “Gosh, Wyatt, I’ve not seen you in ages.”

“It has been too long, especially if you’re being forced to drive lawnmowers.” His eyes dance with laughter, while my tummy starts doing tiny flips, back and forth, like a gymnastics team prepping for a meet. Standing in front of Wyatt, I feel a magnetic pull like I’ve not felt before. Ever.

What is going on?

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