Page 65 of The Summer Arrangement
“You may be twenty-one, but you’re dealing with three older sisters and the protective guys who love them. There’s nothing we wouldn’t do for themor youfor that matter. Maybe text us next time?”
“Point taken. I should’ve known better.” Hell, if one of my sisters didn’t show up, I’d be the same way. “But for the record. If I’m with Cameron, it’s by choice, and we’re likely… well…uh… distracted… As you said.”
Ryan’s deep laughter fills the room. “Good God, Elizabeth, there are just some things I have no business knowing.”
“Just the perks of being married to my sister, dear Ryan. I seem to recall you and Lanie beingdistracteda lot when you first got together.”
“As long as he’s treating you well, he candistractyou all he wants. We really don’t care. But for the love of all that’s holy, call, text, or hell, it’s a small enough town, send a smoke signal.”
“Okay, point taken.” I laugh. “You’re worse than Dad, I swear.”
Cocking a brow dubiously, he says, “I’m worse than the colonel? Your dad’s pretty chill, but let’s face it, he’d probably be cleaning his guns on the front porch when you returned if he knew you’d stayed out all night with a guy he didn’t know you were dating.”
“Touché! My dad would be so much worse.”
I’m running on caffeine and pure adrenaline as I make breakfast. I have no idea how I’ll make it through the long-ass day ahead of me, but as they say, there’s no rest for the wicked. I’m on my second cup of coffee as I finish making omelets. Bacon is stacked on the plate beside the griddle, and Lizzy should arrive any time.
Emilia conked out immediately after getting out of the pool, and I’m not sure how long Megan and I stayed up talking last night, but it was far too late. After filling her in on everything with Lizzy, she encouraged me to pursue things—not that I need her permission. Apparently, I’ve never looked happier and after our outing, she is just as much in love with Lizzy as I am.
Love?
Did I really just go there?
Fuck, I think I did.
The sound of the front door clicking open has my heart jackhammering in my chest. Lizzy has a key, and we quickly learned that if she lets herself in, Emilia sleeps through her arrival. Milli plays hard and needs her rest for all the adventures she has with Lizzy each day.
Just the thought of seeing her again has me shutting off the griddle and beelining to the front door. When I round the corner, I find she’s barely made it inside. Her back is to me, and she’s balancing against the hall table as she toes off her Chucks.
Not wanting to startle her, I use this moment to take her in.
God, she’s gorgeous.
Her hunter-green hoodie is warm and cozy for the brisk morning walk to my house. Her long, brown hair is hidden in one of those top-knot things girls wear. She’s wearing the sexiest pair of jean shorts that accentuate her long, muscular legs and scrumptious curves. I can’t tell you how often I’ve wished to peel those off her this summer. If my sister and Milli weren’t somewhere inside the house, I’d gladly do it right now.
When she finally turns, her beautiful smile takes my breath away.
“Morning, Beautiful,” I whisper, stepping closer and cupping her cheek.
“Hey, handsome. How are you?”
I’ve spent weeks keeping my distance, and I’ll be damned if I waste another minute avoiding her. “Better now that you’re here,” I admit, lowering my lips to hers.
When her minty breath mingles with mine, everything I’ve been holding back lets loose. Our lips crash together, tongues tangle, and I get completely lost in Elizabeth Lancaster.
When the faint sounds of running feet catch my attention, I’m brought back to reality. At some point, Milli will learn about my feelings for Lizzy, but this isn’t how she should find out. Reluctantly, I break the kiss, leaving us both breathless.
“Daddy?” Milli calls out from the other side of the house. “Where are you?”
“Right here, Mills,” I answer. Then I squeeze Lizzy’s hand reassuringly. “You good?”
Running her fingers along her lips, she nods. “I could get used to greetings like that.”
“You and me both,” I admit. “I thought you’d never get here this morning.”
This earns me a beautiful laugh. “Hey now, I’m fifteen minutes earlier than normal. Youweren’twaiting.”
Lowering my voice so only she can hear, I say, “Sweetheart, from the moment I drove away last night, I’ve been waiting to see you again.”
