Page 32 of Be My Summer

“So you liked the one I–”

“Loved it.”

“And, your answer to my question?”

“It’s all in there, Saul. Read it on your downtime.”

“I will read it the minute I sit down,” he promised.

“Whatever suits you.”

“Friday–” he cleared his throat. “I’ll be done with work on Friday.”

“Well, I should see you then, huh?”

Nodding, he smiled again, putting me back together little by little.

“You will see me then. There’s no doubt about that, Miss Summer.”

He inched away, trying to send me into cardiac arrest. I didn’t want him to leave so soon. However, I knew that duty called.

“I’ll text you when I get the chance.”

“Call me,” I demanded, “I can’t bear the thought of not hearing your voice two days in a row.”

He sniggered as he rounded the truck.

“I was thinking the same damn thing.”

“Muah.” I pressed my hand against my lips and then sent the virtual kiss in his direction.

He grabbed it and placed it right where I wanted it.

On his heart.

Good day, Mister.

Wednesday came so fast. Deep underneath the heated blanket Saul had left with me yesterday morning, I rubbed my feet together as I gave up trying to conceal the smile that pushed my lips backward on my face. Saul’s words were better than those of my favorite romance novels. I felt as though I was living in one. My very own Black romance novel.

The way your eyes crease in the corners when you smile… I really like that Summer.

The way you wear your hair, all of the ways you wear it… I really like that Summer.

The way your nose is always buried between a book… I like that too.

The way you dress…

The way you speak, so elegantly and so rarely…

The way you’re so reserved…

So guarded yet so relaxed…

The way your comfort is not a compromise you’re willing to take on…

The way you care for your father…

The way you’d rather be on your back porch in your own world than almost anywhere else in the world…