“What? Are you kidding me?” I gasped. “Design & Décorwants to interview me?”
He was laughing hysterically now, and Johnny had one of those laughs that made you laugh when he laughed.
“Darling. You’re a star. I just emailed you the information to send to the Chadwicks to ask if they’d be okay with having their home featured in the most popular interior design magazine on the planet.” He chuckled. “I’m sure it’s a yes, especially since Emilia Chadwick has been featured in this magazine before. The fact that she gave you creative control over their family home also speaks volumes. And we’ll go shopping for you when you get here, and pick out something fabulous for you to wear to your interview.”
“Okay. Yes. Oh my gosh. I need to go tell Cutler. Thank you. I’ll see you soon.”
“You will. I’ll be waiting for you with bells on when you get to the airport.”
We ended the call and I ran out the door into the backyard, surprised when I didn’t see him there or Meatball in the grass where I’d left them.
“Bear?” I shouted as the sun was just starting to go down.
“I’m in the lake. And no, Meatball does not know how to swim. He thought he did, when he jumped in with no warning, and he just sank.” Laughter came from the edge of the yard down by the water. Meatball was lying on the wood dock soaking wet, not a care in the world.
I ran to the end of the dock and gaped down at Cutler. “Design & Décormagazine wants to feature me for the photos they saw of your family home.”
“You’re a fucking rock star, baby,” he howled, and once again, Meatball let out a howl of his own. “That’s my girl.”
I was laughing as I moved closer and realized he was in his clothes. “Why are you in the water fully clothed?”
“Because that dog you convinced me to get decided to jump in, and he literally made no effort to fight for his own survival. He actually glanced over at me as I ran toward the water, and he just surrendered and started to sink. So I had to fucking jump in and save his lazy ass.”
I covered my mouth with my hand and shook my head. “Look at you, Bear. Jumping in the water and saving Meatball.”
“Well, come on, girl. Get your ass in here. We’ve got to celebrate. You’re going to be in a magazine.”
I dropped my phone and kicked my boots off on the dock next to Meatball, and I didn’t even think twice before jumping in the water with my clothes on. I didn’t care that it was cold enough to be wearing two layers. I wanted to be in the water with him.
The immediate shock of the cold water had my body tensing and my skin prickling when I broke through the surface.
Cutler was right there to catch me as I grabbed onto his shoulders, gasping a few times.
“I’m proud of you,” he said.
“Do you think your family will be okay with having their home featured?” I asked.
“Are you kidding? They’ll be fucking thrilled.” He pulled me closer, and my legs came around his waist. “They’re all going to be so proud of you.”
“They’re sending someone to New York to interview me next week.” I shook my head. “I can’t believe this is happening.”
“I never had a doubt. Keep chasing those dreams, baby, and I’ll be cheering you on the whole way.” He tugged me down and kissed me.
And we sat in the water as the sky darkened and the stars sparkled overhead, with Meatball lying there watching us make out like teenagers. We laughed and talked and kissed some more.
It was interesting to me that I’d known Cutler most of my life, yet we never ran out of things to talk about. There was just a comfort and closeness that made it so easy to talk with him about anything.
And that’s exactly what we did.
I wished I could freeze time right here.
Because I never wanted this moment to end.
Blue Sky Bay felt like home, because the truth was…
Cutler Heart was my home.
twenty-nine
