Page 5 of One Hot Summer

I nod, a flush creeping up my neck. “Your mom's recipe. Well, my attempt at it anyway.”

Kelsie's eyes meet mine. For a moment, I am transported back in time, to lazy Sunday afternoons in her mother's kitchen, stealing kisses between stirring the sauce and chopping vegetables. And then the years melt away, and for a moment, we are those two kids again, full of possibility.

“I’m glad you’re here.”

The spell is broken by Collin's excited shout from the living room. “Dad! Come quick! Rusty's doing that funny thing again!”

Kelsie chuckles. “Sounds like I'm missing out on some quality entertainment.”

I grin, grateful for the distraction. “Care to join us? Fair warning though, once Collin gets going, it's hard to escape.”

She hesitates for a heartbeat, then nods. “Lead the way.”

As we walk to the living room, I pray that somehow, we find our way back to each other again.

Collin is sprawled on his stomach, chin propped in his hands as he watches our Australian shepherd, Rusty, chase his tail in ever-tightening circles. The dog's antics elicits laughter from my son.

“Kelsie and I heard all the commotion in here. What’s going on?”

Kelsie crouches down to pet Rusty. “Hi there. Aren’t you the cutest thing ever?”

My son's eyes dart between us, his brow furrowed. “Are you the lady from Dad's pictures?”

Heat floods my cheeks as Kelsie's eyebrows arch and she turns to look at me. I'd forgotten about the old photo album tucked away in my bedside drawer. Collin must have stumbled upon it during one of his curious explorations.

Before I can stammer out a response, Rusty bounds over, his tail wagging furiously as he sniffs at Kelsie's outstretched hand. She laughs, and scratches behind the dog's ears.

“Someone doesn’t get enough attention, does he?” she coos, and Rusty flops onto his back, tongue lolling out in bliss.

The tension in the room dissipates. As she and Collin bond over Rusty's tricks, I slip back to the kitchen, my mind reeling.

The pasta is al dente, the sauce thick and ready to go. As I drain the noodles, Kelsie's laughter mingles with Collin's chatter. This is something I can get used to.

I close my eyes, inhaling deeply. The rich aroma of garlic and herbs transports me back to lazy summer evenings on Kelsie's back porch. The memory is so vivid I can almost feel the press of her lips against mine, taste the sweetness of her mouth...

A timer dings, yanking me back to the present. I shake my head, trying to clear the fog of nostalgia. Kelsie is here now, in my home, laughing with my son. Whatever happens next, I know one thing for certain: my carefully constructed world is never be the same again.

Chapter Four

Kelsie

After dinner, Collin heads up to bed and I find myself tucked away on the couch. Carson is sitting on the other end and my whole body is thrumming. It is so dangerous to be this close to him. Shockwaves are coursing through my whole body, begging for his touch, his lips on mine. It remembers just how good his hands feel on me. But I can’t.

After everything, I can’t be the one to put myself out there. The divorce was awful, and honestly I have no intention in getting into another relationship just for it to end in a disaster. We might have gotten away with sneaking around when we were teenagers, but now… we are adults.

When I think about what my brother would say… he is too protective of me, especially now. Losing my business and my home just one year after a messy divorce. My life has just been one shitshow after another. Right now, I just need some peace. Not chaos.

Yet, he had no idea what he was doing when he asked Carson if I could stay here. He had no idea he was throwing me back into living with the man that I had a whole future planned with - hell I made a wedding book. My best friend I planned out everysingle detail to a T. Yet, college took me away and one thing led to another and I never came back.

A part of me wonders if he even missed me. Yet, he never called. That should be my answer, right?

I steal a glance at Carson, my heart racing as I take in his strong profile. The flickering light from the fireplace placing shadows across his chiseled features, highlighting the stubble on his jaw. My fingers itch to trace the lines of his face, to feel the roughness beneath my touch. I fidget with the hem of my shirt, desperate for something to do with my hands that doesn’t involve reaching out to him.

He turns, catching me staring, and I quickly avert my gaze. But not before I see the intensity in his blue eyes.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Carson's deep voice breaks the silence.

I swallow hard, searching for a safe response. “Just... thinking about how much has changed. How different things are now.”

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