Page 49 of Hook, Line, and Summer

“Are you excited to be going back to your real life?”

I shook my head. I’m not even sure what my real life is anymore. When I was younger, I had it all figured out. Now I don’t have a clue.

“No.”

She didn’t ask the question, but I saw it in her eyes.

Then why are you going?

Right now, I’m not really sure, but I know it’s something I have to do.

“When are you leaving?”

“I haven’t checked flights, but I’m guessing later this week.”

Tears rolled down her cheeks again and I tried to wipe them away, but they were coming too fast.

“I’m sorry.” She swiped at her cheeks with the back of her hand. “I promised myself I wouldn’t do this.”

“It’s okay.”

I pulled her close and rubbed her back in long, soothing strokes. We stayed like that for what felt like an eternity, me holding her close and whispering comforting words, until eventually she fell asleep in my arms.

Setting my cheek against the top of her head, I closed my eyes and tried to think of ways for us to mesh our lives. Other than quitting my job and staying here, nothing came to mind.

That last thought echoed through my head. I never planned on living in Seaside. Even as a child, I talked about moving away and seeing the world. It’s not that I hate it here, it’s just not where I imagined living forever.

And then there’s my job to consider. I’ve worked my ass off getting where I am. There are a lot of perks to the level I’ve reached. Then again, as my father has said more than once, “If you’re not enjoying your life, what does it matter?”

Before coming home, I was enjoying my life. At least I thought I was. But now, I’m not so sure. My dad isn’t wrong when he says I don’t have any close connections or friends in my “real life.”

Thea rested her head on Summer’s hip and whined. I glanced at the clock. She probably has to go out.

Pulling slowly back from Summer, I replaced my body with a pillow. She rubbed her cheek against it and let out a sigh. I moved off the bed and walked out of the room with Thea on my heels.

I followed her outside and settled onto the couch. Thea quickly did her business then joined me, resting her head against my chest. Summer told me she does this to offer comfort when she knows someone is upset.

“Don’t worry,” I said against her soft fur. “I have some irons in the fire and I’m going to figure this out.”

CHAPTER17

Summer

Today is the day.Adam is flying back to Dublin.

After finding out Andrew was released to work, he put off booking a flight as long as possible, which only amounted to a week. I was able to take time off work and we spent every moment of those days together and it still doesn’t feel like enough.

“Is there anything over your mom’s?” I asked.

“No, I brought everything here.”

He rolled a pair of shorts and shoved them in the corner of the suitcase, then did the same thing with a T-shirt, placing it on the opposite side.

“It looks like you’re playingTetrisover there.”

“Yeah, that’s pretty much what it’s like,” he said with a chuckle.

For the past week, we both put on a brave face, and focused on the moment, not the future. We took long rides along the coast, went on hikes, and laughed as often as possible. It was only when we made love that our true feelings came out. It was tinged with a desperation that brought tears to my eyes.

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