Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 105697 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 528(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 352(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105697 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 528(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 352(@300wpm)
“I like sharing with you.”
I sit next to him on Summer’s bed. “I like sharing with you too, but I took more hits last night from your tossing and turning than I did on the ice the entire last season.”
The little smirk on his face makes me think he’s not all that upset about taking out his old dad. I tickle his ribs, sending him backward on the mattress into a fit of giggles. “I should,” he says, laughing through his words, “have played hockey.”
We don’t talk about him playing hockey anymore. He never made it to squirt level in the youth league when he was younger. He was a smaller guy on the team at the time, and the hits were brutal to witness. Mia put her foot down, but I didn’t disagree. He didn’t care about hockey, and it showed when he was out there. Although it’s not too late to try again, I’d prefer him to chart his own course instead of trying to mold into mine. “I’m thinking soccer or football might be better for a kid with your skill set. You got a hell of a kick.”
“Really?”
I pull him up and then stand, bringing him with me. “You can do whatever you want, Roman. Just finish what you start and don’t—”
“Compromise your values. Yeah, yeah.” You’d think this kid has been working a hard day and doesn’t want the lecture at the end of it with that ho-hum tone. I’ll take being the boring dad anytime over what I had growing up.
A knock on the door draws our attention to Summer. She’s dressed in the same top and cutoff shorts; her hair is still up, but more strands have escaped the confines of the elastic at the back of her head. There’s a shine to her lips that draws my attention to them, making me remember how good it felt to kiss her. With her shoulder against the doorframe, a smile on her face, and looking so damn sexy, she makes it hard to look away. “Am I interrupting?” she asks, her fingers tucked into her front pockets like she’s been there a while.
Roman is already shaking his head. “I want to sleep in here with you guys.”
Summer saunters in like she’s got a few things on her mind that don’t include anyone else sleeping in this room with us. Kneeling before him, she takes his hands, and says, “You’re going to have a great time in that room. You get the whole place to yourself and all those pillows. Also . . .” she leans in and whispers, “It’s been rumored that cookies appear right before bed for good little kids.”
“I’m always good. My mom says I make her life easy,” he says with pride.
He’s old enough not to fall for these shenanigans, but like how Santa doesn’t visit if he doesn’t believe, sounds like these cookies won’t show up either. When he glances up at me, I say, “It’s true. You’re the best, buddy.”
He looks back at Summer, and says, “Do you get cookies in here?”
With a grimace shaping her face, she sighs so sadly that I’m tempted to fall for her tricks. “Unfortunately, no.”
“You could if you’re good,” he says matter-of-factly. This kid is too much, causing me to chuckle under my breath.
“Very true, Roman.” She stands still, holding his hand like they’re old friends, and taps his nose. “What do you think about you and your dad coming to watch the sunset with me and the others?” To a kid, I’m sure that’s not an inviting offer, but I’m not going to push into it. She adds, “Have I shown you the swing out back?”
That seals it. He’s already headed to the door. “I want to see.”
Summer looks at him over her shoulder. “I need to speak to your dad for a few minutes. Why don’t you head down and hang out in the family room with Dolly?”
His eyes dart to mine. I nod, giving him the go-ahead. He runs out the door, and the pounding of each of his steps on the floor echoes into the bedroom.
Summer turns around with a question digging a line between her brows and hanging on her tongue. “I can’t stop thinking about that call with Mrs. Dover and your offer.”
She’s not asking me anything, but I can sense her need for answers. “I haven’t changed my mind, if that’s what you’re asking.”
Moving in, she runs her nails lightly over my stomach. Her touch is intimate, but I wish I wasn’t wearing a shirt so I could feel its full impact. “I appreciate it, but I don’t know that it feels right. It’s too much money.”
“I’m not going to force you to take the money.” I sit on the bed again, not wanting to tower over her for this conversation. “I hope you do in keeping with your intentions. They’re good, Summer. If you can save a place that you love and keep it going for other people to enjoy as well, it makes sense.”