Page 31 of XOXO, Summer
“Your dad will explain.” I look back at Daniel, and he’s already got his eyes on me. That gorgeous face sends a shiver up my spine, and his body is so hot it about knocks me dead. “What happened to your shirt, Sutton?”
He throws his arms out wide. “I couldn’t find it this morning. I thought you stole it.”
“Nope. But I’ll help you look for it.” Now, how in the world would his shirt go missing? I step onto the porch justas my phone buzzes in my back pocket. I pull it free to see Mrs. Dover calling. “Good morning,” I answer.
“Morning, Summer. What’s this I’m hearing about a plumbing issue at the Cove Cottage?” Word travels too fast in these parts.
I start pacing the porch. “I was waiting until a decent hour to call you. The shower we have been getting hot water from using a trick decided it was going to bust on us. It soaked the tenant and me. Water was spraying everywhere and wouldn’t turn off. I got the water turned off outside, though, but that means no water to the house until the pipe is fixed.”
“No toilets or sinks? No water in the kitchen?”
“No water at all. It would have flooded the whole house if I’d left it on.”
She asks, “Where are the tenants?”
Stopping, I look at Daniel chasing Roman around the tree, then the reverse. The giggles drift all the way over here. “They stayed in our guest room last night.”
The silence is louder than my confession. I look down, waiting for her to say something, anything. When she finally speaks, she says, “What would I do without you? That was generous to take them in. I know you have a full house over there,and Dolly.”
Some things never change. Sounds like the feeling is still mutual between them.
“It worked fine.” I peek back up at them as they start heading this way. “They’re content to stay until it’s fixed this week.”
“This week won’t do. I’m getting someone in today. We can’t have good-paying guests staying with you all summer.”
There are worse things I could imagine than Daniel andRoman staying with us. With me . . . “Do you need me to meet the plumber to let them in?”
“Yes, if you could be there by ten, they should be arriving by then. We’ll get this sorted today. Thanks, dear.”
“You’re welcome.”
When I hang up, I stuff the phone in my pocket again and look up to see concern wrinkling Daniel’s forehead. “Everything okay?”
I shift into pro mode like I always fall back on and plaster a smile on my face. It’s not that I don’t want him in the cottage so he can enjoy the rest of his stay. It’s only been a day and one night, but it’s already brought an energy back to my life that’s been missing. Once the pipes are fixed, I’ll have to make up reasons to see him since I won’t have business to tend to.
Worst of all, I made up rule three just so we could break it. What excuse will I have now? I finally cut loose, and look what happens. Every time. I think my sex life is doomed. And the drought continues.
CHAPTER 10
SUMMER
“Dolly?”
“In here,” she replies, sending me spinning in the hallway to figure out where the voice came from.
“Here where?”
She barges out of the laundry room by the kitchen, holding a gray shirt that looks awfully familiar. “I washed your gentleman’s shirt.” My stomach drops, worried her meddling will send Daniel running. He already has one foot out the door, and if he leaves, I lose the bonus that came along with his stay. Does she not realize what’s on the line for me? I’m undecided if that’s sweet or stalkerish. Either way, she sure has taken to Daniel. I don’t blame her.
“I wondered if you’d seen it.” Studying it, I see it looks brand new. Any potential crease has been steamed right out. “Do I want to know when you got this from the guest room?”
“No, you don’t.” At least she’s honest. But my heart races in my chest. A mixture of panic from the situation and a bitof pride that Dolly ensured a great view this morning wars within me.
This is exhausting.
“Is that my shirt?” Daniel comes into the hall after searching for his shirt again in the bedroom. I gasp, but he walks right up to her. “You washed it for me?” Bending down, he kisses her on the cheek. “You’re the best, Dolly. Thank you.”
I blink. And again. The interaction was so sweet, like he was part of the family. Are they besties now? Did I just panic for nothing? Seems so.
