Page 114 of The Summer We Lie

We look at each other for a long moment, and something shifts in the air between us. Not back to what we were—maybe we'll never be exactly that again, that easy, uncomplicated friendship of our teenage years—but forward to something new. Something that acknowledges what we've both lost and what we might, eventually, build in its place. Something that might, eventually, be okay.

"Do you want some coffee?" I ask, gesturing toward the kitchen. "I could tell you about your dad trying to cook dinner for my mom last week and nearly burning down her kitchen. Justin had to give him a very serious lecture about fire safety."

Harper's eyebrow raises with genuine interest, and there's real amusement in her voice. "Now that I have to hear."

As I move toward the kitchen, muscle memory guiding me to the coffee maker that's witnessed a thousand of our conversations, my phone buzzes again with another text.

Dom: Thinking of you. Everything will work out. Have faith.

I glance at Harper unpacking her bag with deliberate care, hanging her jacket in the closet like she's reclaiming her space, then back at the message. For the first time in two months, watching my best friend settle back into our shared life, I truly believe it might.

Epilogue

Three months later

Dominic

"Where are we going?" she asks again, her voice a perfect mixture of excitement and mock frustration.

I smile, keeping my eyes on the road. "Chill. I told you it's a surprise."

"It's not even my birthday yet," she protests, crossing her legs in that way that makes her dress ride up just enough to drive me crazy.

"Tuesday is your birthday," I remind her, navigating through the evening traffic with practiced ease. "It's only three days away. Just relax, baby." I slide my hand higher on her thigh, feeling her skin warm under my palm. I've rented the private dining room at her favorite steakhouse, the one place she always talks about but never suggests because she thinks it's too expensive. Everyone's waiting there—her mother, Justin, Harper, our friends. Even my ex-wife agreed to come, knowing how important it is.

She surprises me, placing her hand over mine and sliding our joined hands down toward her panties. Fuck. I'm going to walk in with a goddamn hard-on in front of her mother and Harper.

"Patience, baby," I say, not giving her what she wants, even as my cock hardens painfully against my zipper.

"Don't tease me, Dom," she whines softly, and I can't help the groan that escapes me.

"We're almost there," I warn, but she doesn't listen, sliding her panties to the side and running her fingers over herself.

"But I'm so wet," she says, her voice all breathy and innocent like she's not trying to kill me. "See?" She holds her hand up, showing me her glistening fingers.

I grab her wrist and bring her hand to my mouth, sucking her juices from her fingers, tasting the sweetness that's uniquely Skye. "God, you taste so good," I groan as I release her hand and turn into the restaurant parking lot. "You're going to pay for that."

"Promise?" she asks, eyes wide and hungry.

God damn this girl. I have this special birthday dinner planned out for her, and now all I can do is think about sinking into her perfect pussy instead of making nice with our guests.

I pull around to the back of the restaurant where employees park. It's far enough away that nobody else bothers with it, but I do because we need privacy. I back into the most secluded spot I can find.

"Get your ass over here," I command as soon as I put the truck into park.

She smiles that sexy smile that never fails to make my cock jump and crawls over to me. I pull her to straddle my lap and tug her thin dress straps down her shoulders, then her bra, just enough to free her nipple. I bite it gently, and she moans, arching into me.

"Don't be mad at me if we're late and it ruins the surprise," I warn her, knowing we're already cutting it close.

She fumbles with my belt, then unbuttons and unzips me, freeing my cock. She strokes me, and I'm so fucking hard it hurts.

"This is all I need," she whispers, pulling her panties to the side and guiding me inside her warm, wet pussy.

"God fucking damn it," I growl as she sinks down all the way, taking me completely.

"God, you feel so good," she breathes, adjusting to my size.

I twist and tug on her nipple while she rides me, then pull her down to kiss her mouth roughly. She bites my bottom lip, and the pain sends a rush straight to my cock, making me even harder inside her.