CHAPTER TWENTY
NICHOLAS
Two weeks later…
It’s the first scorching hot day of the summer, and we’ve gotFire Islandon the TV at Blossom while customers wander in and out.
Finn is in for a visit, dropping off some milkshake experiments that he wants an opinion on. He and Kavya sit on stools in the back, and I hang out by the counter while we all chat.
“The fudge swirl is very good.” Kavya tells Finn. “Just the right amount of swirl.”
He laughs. “You know I appreciate a little swirl.”
I suck on my coffee cream milkshake. “Who doesn’t?”
The door to the shop pops open, and Clay steps in. I’m already smiling, but I feel myself brighten when we catch eyes. He’s in a white sleeveless undershirt and cargo shorts, and he’s got a work bag in one hand.
“Hey,” he says. “I’m working late with Sue today. You mind if I leave that mess out back?”
“No problem at all,” I say brightly.
Clay grunts. He raises up a hand, offering a short wave to Finn and Kavya in the back. “Hey,” he says and nods before he disappears out the door again.
My heart beats steady and fast.
I really love running into Clay around the building. There’s the fun of having a secret, but more than that, it’s just nice to see him. I’m watching him adjust to life in Allentown, find his place on Sue’s crew, and transform the building with his renovations.
He texts me sometimes now, too, questions about where to get stuff around town, or little comments about the neighborhood. It’s given me permission to send him pictures of bouquets in response, which he always hearts before replyingnice oneorlooking good.
And we’re having mind-blowing sex every few days. That’s pretty spectacular, too.
Maybe now that I’ve had sex that’s this unbridled and indulgent, I’ll bring that spirit to my next relationship. It’s not that I haven’t enjoyed sex in the past. I definitely have. It’s just never felt quite so raw and instinctual. I’ve never enjoyed it quite as much as I’m enjoying myself with Clay, whether we’re naked and dirty talking or just making out on the couch.
But the reality is that Clay leaves soon, I remind myself. This is going to come to an end, and that sucks way more than I am prepared to admit.
I scale my fantasies back down to reality, doing my best to guard my heart from the hormones surging through my veins.
“So,” Finn says casually, and when I turn, he takes a long sip of his milkshake. “How is Clay?”
“Clay? He seems good.” I school myself to not show any emotions. These two know how to read me like an open book. “Sue says he’s a great addition to her crew,” I add, some pride welling up in me.
“Has anyone succeeded in asking him out?” Finn asks. “I hear he might not be available.”
“He hasn’t gone on any dates,” I say quickly. Insisting on that gives me a bizarre spasm of feelings, which I swallow down. “And I don’t think he’s looking. But that’s his business, not mine!”
All technically true.
“You two are friends,” Kavya says. She tilts her head to the side. “Or as close to friends as Clay gets.”
“I guess. But you know Clay. He’s not exactly a chatterbox. Why are you asking, anyway?”
Finn shrugs. “Maybe I was wondering if I sensed something there.”
A spark goes up my spine. “You’re interested in Clay?” I ask, alarmed.
Finn and Kavya both laugh.
“I’m monogamous with my ice cream shop right now, thank you very much.”
