She’s just sticking to the rules we made when we started this thing, the ones that are becoming less and less clear.
“I’ll be gone before then.”
She kisses my chest. “You’re a good guy, Ezra.”
“You say that like you’re surprised by it.”
“I’m not. I always knew your grumpy side was just a front.” She yawns. “You hide behind your pain, use it as a wall. I like it when you let it down for me.”
It’s the last thing she says before she falls asleep.
Instead of following her into slumber, I watch her until it’s time for me to go. I kiss her forehead and text her instructions to eat and take some more medicine, then slip into my car and head home.
The whole drive there, all I can think is,I like letting it down for you, too, Summer.
Chapter Eighteen
Summer
It took three days, but I’m finally feeling human again,andI’m still swearing off grocery store salads for the foreseeable future.
As embarrassing as it was to throw up and be a general mess in front of him, I’m glad Ezra was there to help take care of me the first night. I haven’t seen him since, and I’m eager to tonight.
“Are you sure you’re ready to go back to work?” my dad asks from across the kitchen table, worry lacing every single word.
My appetite still hasn’t returned to normal, but I was determined to get out of bed today and make something for us, even if it is just oatmeal and toast.
“Dad,” I say in warning. This is the fourth time he’s asked me since I came out of my room. “I’m sure. Please stop asking.”
He sighs. “I’m sorry. You might be a grown adult, but you’re still my kid, and I worry about you.”
“I know, and I love you for that, but I’ll be fine. Promise.”
He gives me a small smile, but I don’t miss how he keeps sending glances my way. He could tell right away that something was wrong with me when he came home. He always was able to do so when I was younger, too, so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that it hasn’t changed over the years.
He kept me supplied with soup and electrolytes ever since, even calling off work one day to watch old movies with me from his recliner. It was like being a kid all over again, and it made me wonder yet again what it would be like if I stayed here. It’s not like I’d live here with my dad forever, but I’d be able to spend actual quality time with him, and I don’t hate the idea of that in the least.
“All right. I’ll back off. I just don’t want Ezra overworking you, that’s all.”
Just hearing his name sends a jolt of excitement through me. He’s texted me every day, and not once has it been to ask when I’ll be back to work. I think he’d give me the rest of the week off if I really wanted it. No, he’s texting to check onme, and that makes me happier than I care to admit.
I still can’t believe he stayed like he did. Or that he climbed into the shower with me and bathed me. It was intimate in a way I’d never experienced before, and not because we were naked. It had nothing to do with that. It was how gentle he was. How caring his touch felt as he cleaned me up with absolutely zero judgment or lust in his gaze.
I’ve never felt so exposed to someone before. Nor have I ever felt so safe.
If I’m not careful, I could get used to it, and that’s the last thing I need to do, all things considered. It’s just a fling. Just a bit of fun. Even if—and that’s a bigif—I do stay in Port Harbor, Ezra has made his feelings about relationships clear. This is nothing serious. It can’t be.
“Did you hear that Ken’s selling Sunnie’s?”
I pause mid-bite. “What?”
“Yep. I saw the for sale sign in the window yesterday. I don’t know when he made that decision, but can you believe it? Sunnie’s has been a staple in this town for ... shit, for as long as I can remember. I can’t imagine not having those fritters around. Your mom loved them.” He smiles. “Ken has been keeping that place open since Sunnie passed,but we all know it was never his baby like it was hers. I guess it’s time, you know?”
My heart thuds at the idea of that building being up for sale. Sure, Sunnie’s has been around since I was a little girl, and I—along with the rest of Port Harbor—hold a lot of love for the place, but I can’t deny that my thoughts are running rampant with ideas. That space would be ideal for a restaurant. It’s a prime spot for foot traffic, and the view of Mount Rainier is stunning. It would be perfect.
You failed before,a little voice whispers in my head.
It’s not wrong. I’ve failed before, and I’ll probably fail again.
