“She can’t stay here,” he says slowly.
“What?”
“She lied to us. She can find somewhere else to stay. I’ll get a hand truck to clear up this mess.” He turns to head back to the house.
“Arse,” Cameron mutters under his breath.
I grab Alec’s arm. “Mate. C’mon.”
He shakes me off. “No. It’s storm season. We have more than enough on our plates. Summer will have to look after herself. She’s a grown woman.”
“You letmestay,” I point out. “When my life was going to shit.”
“That’s different.”
“How?”
A muscle tics in his jaw. “I let you stay because you belong here. She doesn’t.” He turns to go. “We’ll store these in the equipment shed for now. She can arrange to have them couriered home.”
I step in front of him. “Alec.Please. Let’s help her. It’s just a week.” I turn to Cameron, who’s watching us both, face blank. “You think she should stay, right?”
He nods, a silent jerk of the head.
“She needshelp, mate,” I beseech. “Since when do you not care about that? I swear, you’re turning into your father.”
Alec’s entire body freezes up.
I’m not surprised. It’s a low blow. I should probably apologise, but I don’t. I just watch his face.
He wants to let her stay. I know he does. He’s a good man with a soft heart. He’s just…gone cold in the last few years. If he’s genuinely refusing to help someone in need because he’s worried about his schedule, I’ve lost my friend completely.
“She can stay,” he says eventually, his voice almost robotic. “But you can check on her later. We’re running behind.”
I grit my teeth. “Alec?—”
“We need to move these boxes. Now, please.”
“Whatever you say, boss,” I mutter for the satisfaction of watching him flinch. Then I pick up the box of undies and head back for the farmhouse.
THIRTEEN
SUMMER
My face is red as I finish shoving the last of my clothes in my suitcase and yank the zip shut.
It’s been almost an hour since the van incident. I’ve spent the time packing up all my crap for when Alec inevitably comes to chuck me off his property. There’s no way he’ll let me stay now. I shudder as I remember his face. He wasfurious.
I can’t be here. I’m going back to London, and I’m going to lock myself in my flat and Uber Eats all of my groceries until this has blown over. The thought makes me feel a bit sick, but I push it down, yanking my suitcase off the bed.
There. Ready for my eviction.
As if on cue, there’s a knock at the cabin door.
“It’s open,” I call nervously. I’m half expecting Alec to step inside. Instead, Fraser shoves his way into the cabin holding a stack of the PR boxes.
He grins at me. “Hiya, London. Where d’you want these then?” He looks around the small cabin and plops the boxes by the kitchenette. “That’ll do for now. The rest are in one of the sheds. Let me know if you want any of ’em.” He pats the top box. “I’ll admit, I picked my favourites.”
“What?” I say, confused.
