Page 37 of Hook, Line, and Summer

“I’ll see you later. Be ready at seven.”

He was about to back away, but I wrapped my hands around his neck and pulled him down for a proper kiss. His low groan vibrated through my chest and a second later, he pulled back.

“I wish I could stay,” he said. “But I really need to get going.”

Releasing my hold on him, I snuggled into the pillow.

“Have a good day. We’ll be ready for seven.”

I watched him walk out of the room then heard the back door close a few seconds later. Closing my eyes, I tried to go back to sleep. He may need to be at work at the ass crack of dawn, but I don’t. Unfortunately, my brain refused to shut off so I could get more shuteye.

This thing between Adam and me has been brewing for weeks. Even though we avoided each other much of the time, just knowing he was here was enough to stir up those old feelings.

There’s always been something between us. Even when we were too young to totally understand the bond, we knew something was there. And once we did understand, things were explosive.

We were each other’s first date, first kiss, and we lost our virginities together. It’s no wonder we still share a special bond, even all these years later. When he came back to town, part of me wondered if that shared history gave me a false sense of connection, but last night proved unequivocally I don’t have to worry about that.

But that was just one of my concerns about getting involved with Adam again. Romance novels make it seem like love conquers all, but that’s not always the case. We loved each other ten years ago and didn’t end up together.

I have no idea what’s going to happen now, but somewhere between Adam coming home and last night, I decided to live in the moment. I’m going to enjoy being with him while he’s here with no plans for the future.

Thea hopped up on the bed and curled next to me. Her brown eyes looked up at me as she let out a big sigh.

“I know,” I said as I patted her head. “We’re already in deep. Hopefully both of us won’t get our hearts broken.”

* * *

Adam

My father’s disapproving glare greeted me as I walked through the back door. When I was seventeen, I had to listen to his lectures when I got caught sneaking out to meet Summer. But at thirty-four, I think I’m exempt, even if I am “living under his roof.”

“I’m gonna grab a quick shower,” I said. “I’ll be down in ten minutes.”

I jogged upstairs and stripped once I got into the bathroom. Sharing space with my parents again has been a major adjustment. I can’t just walk around in various states of undress like I do at my own place.

Reaching into the shower, I turned on the water and stepped right into the cold spray. Summer and I didn’t get much sleep last night, but I’m not complaining. It was well worth it.

We picked up right where we left off in a way I never imagined was possible. The physical and emotional connection that’s always been between us was present, but it was different. More.

Confident I was fully awake, I turned off the water, stepped out of the shower, tied a towel around my waist, and headed to my bedroom.

I’ve worn a suit or some form of business clothes most days since graduating college.

Putting on shorts and a T-shirt to go to work was an adjustment, but I’ve finally gotten used to it.

As I’d anticipated, my father was out in the truck by the time I got downstairs. I poured coffee into a travel mug, spread cream cheese on a bagel, and headed out the door.

We drove in silence and I finished my breakfast by the time we pulled up at the dock. Today is a six-hour charter with eight people on board, but it’s a higher-level trip, so all the passengers will be experienced fishermen. That’s good and bad. It means I’ll have less to do for a good portion of the trip, but today I’d welcome the distraction. Being busy would make the day go by faster so I wouldn’t miss being away from Summer so much.

My dad and I unloaded the coolers from the back of the truck and set them on the boat, then I secured them in place with bungee cords. Which of course made me think of letting myself into Summer’s yard last night. When I went over there, I honestly only intended to talk, but the night ended up taking a very pleasant turn.

“Are you gonna go get the ice or squat there all day with that stupid smile on your face?”

I stood, keeping the “stupid smile” in place. I’m not going to let my father ruin my good mood.

“I’ll go grab it and be right back.”

The bait shop is just a short walk, so I grabbed ice and was back on the boat sooner than I wanted to be. After filling the coolers, I leaned against the rail and looked out at the water.

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