She squeezed him and pumped a few times, getting into the rhythm. Owen threw his head back on the pillow with a groan before placing his hand over hers.
“More than anything. But then I really won’t be able to let you out of my sight today.”
She pressed a few kisses to his chest. “I could be persuaded …”
Owen groaned again, releasing her hand to smack her ass instead. “Off you go, Birdie.”
She laughed and climbed out of bed, knowing it wouldn’t take much for him to change his mind and keep her here after all. But then how would she explain to Summer the change in plans? She pushed thoughts of telling Summer about their rekindled whatever this was to the back of her mind to deal with later.
Owen dropped her off at the cabin, still wearing the same dress as the night before, though much more wrinkled from the evening’s activities.
Six weeks. That’s what they’d agreed to.
She peered into the room her brothers shared across the hall from her own to see if anyone was home. Their dad’s old Subaru they’d been sharing was missing from the driveway, and the bedroom was empty except for their rumpled beds. That meant she could take a long, hot shower without interruption.
Ava took her time getting ready for the day and dressed in a pair of old overalls with her hair tied back. Summer would arrive soon, and they were attempting a DIY project on the old dresser in her dad’s bedroom now that her brothers had gone through their dad’s clothes and decided what to keep or donate. Summer was convinced they could flip the dresser and sell it instead of donating it to the church thrift store. Considering her dad’s considerable debt, Ava figured any money they could get out of selling things would be a bonus.
Her phone lit up on the bathroom counter, and she smiled at the messages waiting for her.
Owen (Avery’s Dad):Can’t stop thinking about this morning. You look damn fine in my clothes. And out of them.
Owen (Avery’s Dad):On my way to get Avery. Call you tonight.
The crunch of gravel outside the cabin alerted Ava of Summer’s arrival. Ava closed out of Owen’s message and put her phone on the counter face down before walking out to the driveway to greet Summer.
Summer stepped out of the car, clutching two cups of coffee to her chest with her arm, her head pressed to her shoulder with her phone wedged in-between. Ava rushed to relieve her of the coffee. Summer straightened and flashed her a quick smile as she listened to whoever was on the other side of the call.
“Sounds good. You’ll have the proofs within the week to review. OK. Alright. Yes, talk to you soon. Bye,” Summer ended the call and gave her an exaggerated eye roll.
“Work?”
“Yes, clients always feel entitled to you, even on holidays. He wasn’t happy that I didn't respond to emails on the Fourth of July. Too bad, so sad,” she said. “Anyway, I have the sander and paint in the trunk.”
They grabbed the supplies out of the car and carried everything to the porch.
“So, how was your night with your brothers? Did you guys catch the fireworks?” Summer asked. “I didn’t hear from you much yesterday.”
Ava avoided Summer’s gaze and walked toward the porch door. “It was fine. Nothing too exciting,” she lied, hoping Summer didn’t catch on to her feigned nonchalance.
“Huh. Cool, cool,” Summer responded.
Ava led her upstairs to her dad’s bedroom. “We probably should’ve made Lucas and Noah move this downstairs for us,” Ava lamented as they approached the emptied dresser.
“No kidding. But we’re two independent ladies. We don’t need men.” Summer flexed her arm at Ava.
“You’re right. We got this.”
They took positions on either side of the dresser, Ava took the left side, putting her in the position to walk backward while hauling the furniture.
“Okay, count of three. One, two, three.”
They hefted up the dresser from either side, lifting it a few inches off the ground. Ava slowly backed out of the room and eased into the hallway.
“So, I heard something interesting this morning at the café while getting our coffee,” Summer said.
Ava’s arms shook from the weight of the dresser. “Need a break,” she panted. They put the dresser down. “What gossip is spreading around town now?” Ava rolled her wrists.
Summer raised her eyebrows, and Ava nodded. They both picked up the dresser again, edging closer to the stairs.
