Page 19 of Be My Summer

Nothing.

“Yes. Just like now.”

Just like now.

I placed a hand on my chest, hoping to calm my raging heart.

“What are you doing?”

“Seasoning the lobster I’m preparing with a bed of potatoes and veggies.”

“Sounds delightful.”

“You can have some if you’d like,” he offered.

“I’m fine, Saul.”

“You are, Summer. I’m just not sure you understand how fucking fine you are.” He laughed.

I couldn’t help but do the same.

“How was your day?”

“Miserable,” he scoffed.

A dagger went through my chest. Already, I wanted to better his experiences.

“Oh noooo, why?”

“In comparison to yesterday, it was trash. But, compared to any other day, it was cool.”

I understood his logic, suddenly. Relaxing, I rolled my eyes upward.

“Seriously?”

“Um hm.”

“I thought something had happened or something had upset you or–”

“Something did happen.”

“What happened?” I asked, eyebrows crinkling as I listened for details.

“I didn’t see my Summer.”

I covered my mouth with my hand, refusing to engage in Saul’s silliness. I failed at the task. Miserably.

His tone changed. So did his breathing. So did something within me.

“I miss you, Summer.”

Gnawing on my bottom lip, I pushed out warm air and squeezed my eyelids together. It felt so soon but it felt so right.

“I’ve missed you as well.”

The phone began to ring against my ear. I lifted it to find a FaceTime call coming through.

“Answer,” Saul demanded.