“Sounds like aplan.”
Axel slides my drinks over, and I take them over toSunday.
“For you.” I can’t help but shed a lopsided grin. I lean in and whisper into her ear, “It’s a virgin. Something you’renot.”
“All right, smart ass.” She bats her lashes up at me. “And who’s fault would thatbe?”
I wrap my arms around her, and Rush grunts my way before sagging into a humble smile. I know for a fact he didn’t hear the exchange. “I’m glad it’s you,dude.”
“I’m glad it’s me,too.”
Sunday bounces on her heels. “So, who has big plans for thesummer?”
Trixie raises a hand as if she were in class. “I’m stealing Rush away for the weekend, and we’re headed to Mirror Lake. You guys are totally welcome to come along. My family has an amazing cabin that could house half of WB, and we’ll have the place to ourselves.” Rush growls at the thought of me having some one-on-one time with his sister, I’m sure, but Trixie knocks an elbow into him. “Behave. My brother, Knox, and his girlfriend, Harper, will be there, too. It’ll be fun. I’ll bring board games.” The three of us break out in a riotouslaugh.
Sunday nods to Serena. “Andyou?”
“Just summer school. I’m taking a class—entrepreneurial sciences. It counts as credits and as an internship, so I’m pretty psyched. Dr. Miller is teaching it, and we’ll be assigned a proctor. I’ll be breaking my back at the Black Bear,too.”
“I just talked to Shep”—I nod back at him, I can’t help but stir the pot a bit—“he’ll be hanging out at the Black Bear thissummer.”
“Oh, please”—she looks as if she’s about to be sick—“I’m the last person who’ll wait on him. I’d rather lose my job than serve that egotistical ball of testosterone.” She wrinkles her nose at Sunday. “He’s one person I’m determined to stay away from.” She jumps up on her tiptoes, and a mischievous grin blooms on her face as she looks to the band. “I think I see a drummer I’d like to know better. I’ll catch you guyslater.”
Rush and Trixie take off for the bar, and it’s just Sunday and me, holding one another right here in a room with friends andfamily.
I press a kiss just above Sunday’s ear. “I’m pretty sure Serena and Shep are about to collide this summer. I think he’s the proctor for that class she’staking.”
Sunday gasps with a laugh in her throat. “Are you kidding? And we get to have front row seats? This is going to be great. Serena and Shep make oil and water look like soul mate compounds. I bet she explodes day one. And, believe me, she’ll bring the aftermath right to our doorstep. She’s really going to need me to get through thatnightmare.”
“You think she’ll drop theclass?”
Sunday shakes her head emphatically. “Serena is a lot of things, but she’s no quitter. If anything, she’ll make Shep rethink hisassignment.”
“Looks like we won’t have to wait for the Fourth to watch the fireworksfly.”
“Nope.” Sunday trembles with a laugh. “We’ll be watching a grand finale-worthy spectacle every day those two aretogether.”
“You almost make me look forward toit.”
“Are you looking forward to anything else?” She bites down on her lip, seducing me with little more than a glance. Sunday has always held that power over me. One look, one thought aimed in her direction is enough to get megoing.
“I think I’m looking forward to saying goodnight to everyone and getting you home. You know, to tuck you in. Making sure you have a good night’ssleep.”
“Oh,to tuck me in? I see. Well, I hope you won’t mind tucking me into your bed because it’s where I happen to sleepbest.”
“That’s the only bed I ever want to tuck you in.” I lean and whisper into her ear, “And something else that rhymes withtuck.”
We share a dark laugh and say a quick goodnight to everyone. I take Sunday home and tuck her in my bed and make her mine in every way. Little Fish offers up a few good kicks, and I drink it all in. I love Sunday Knight. I love that things worked out. I’m glad her brothers didn’t murder me like I’m sure they wanted to. And mostly, I’m glad Sunday and I are about to embark on a brand new journeytogether.
* * *
Now that finalsare through and summer is taking off, I drive Sunday up to the overlook, and I hold her as we gaze out at Jepson down below, Hollow Brook in the distance. It’s so beautiful up here on the mountain, with its mustard grass in full bloom, a sea of lavender blanketing the fields behindus.
“I have to tell you something.” I pick up both her hands and look into those bright sunshine-inspired eyes. “We have a check ready for the Jepson homelessshelter.”
She winces. “So, how far off are we?” Her affect falls flat as she growsdejected.
“About a hundredthousand.”
