Page 69 of Lease to Love

I frowned. “What else is there to tell?”

I could practically hear her rolling her eyes. “You've told me this girl's name, how you met, and what she does.”

Her voice softened. “Nothing about who she is.”

I looked down at the beer bottle in my hand.

Ma continued. “Tell me about her, Romey.”

That was the question I'd been hoping she wouldn't ask.

Not because I didn't know how to answer it.

Because I did.

Too well.

I leaned back.

My mind went immediately to the gala.

That rust-colored silk looked like it had been poured over Summer's body.

The way she'd moved through the room like the native she was.

The way people lit up when she approached.

The way she'd laughed.

The way she'd looked at me when she wasn't expecting me to be watching.

“She's smart.” I paused. “And she has a smart-ass mouth to go with it.”

Ma snorted. “My kind of girl.”

I smiled. “Funny. Ambitious. Caring. Would give her last dollar to make somebody smile.”

The words were coming easier now. Too easy.

“Generous. Nice to everyone, but she'll cuss me out in a second if I earn it.”

Ma laughed. “Definitely my kind of girl…But tell me something.”

I waited.

“What's your favorite thing about her?”

I went still. Stared at nothing. Rubbed my thumb absently over the label of my beer.

Her smile came to mind first. Then the freckles. Then the way she'd looked at me standing at her door.

I’m extremely loveable.

Yeah, you are.

I'd said it without thinking. Like it had been obvious. Like it had been fact.

“Honestly, Ma?” I exhaled, searching for the words, “She’s just… Good. Sweet. Kind.”