Page 64 of Summer Affair

His temper spiked at the same time that his heart ached for her. He knew how much she was hurting and how difficult this must be.

“What did you tell her?” he asked.

“I told her I’d think about it,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “I had it put on the camp’s schedule but that’s it so far. She keeps calling me every day with more demands. Now I’ve got a ton of things to do and less than two weeks to do them all.”

He reached out and took her hand in his.

“You don’t have to do anything you’re not ready for. It’s okay to put yourself first right now,” he told her, trying to convince her it was true.

Andrea nodded, but he could see the turmoil in her eyes. Nothing he could say would convince her not to throw the party for her sister. Someone who had never been there for her and never would be.

He really wanted to spend the night there with her in his arms, but when she mentioned she had an early morning, he kissed her and headed home to his empty bed. Again. He missed her beside him every moment he was alone.

Over the next few days, he tried to give her some space. He checked in with her through texts but respected her need for solitude. When he finally saw her again at work, his heart ached at the exhaustion etched on her face.

“Hey,” he greeted, trying to keep his tone light.

“Hey,” she replied, managing a weak smile.

“How are you holding up?” he asked, genuinely concerned.

“It’s been busy and crazy. Working here helps,” she admitted, her voice soft and vulnerable. “Zoey and the rest of the Wildflowers found out about…well, my sister demanding that I throw her a baby shower and the lot of them have taken over the party planning. They won’t let me lift a finger.”

“I may have let slip something about it and how Amy treated you at the hospital when I was talking with Elle the other day.” He smiled.

She poked him in the chest playfully. “Thanks,” she said softly.

He nodded and stepped closer, taking her hands in his. “I meant what I said. I’m here for you. If you need anything, even if it’s early-morning coffee and donuts or a late night ice cream delivery service, I’m your guy.”

Andrea looked into his eyes, and for a moment, he saw the glimmer of hope that he had been praying for.

“Thank you. I don’t know what I’d do without you and your family. Your sister stopped by today to get a massage and officially apply for an internship to learn how to become a therapist.”

“How’d that go?” he asked.

“Wonderful. Her doctor says she can start working a few hours a week, so she’s going to come in on Tuesday,” she said happily.

“I think she’s going to be better at massage therapy than I am. I’m too busy with my job. Actually, Brent has been threatening to give me a raise and make me a manager.”

“That’s wonderful.” She hugged him.

“Yeah,” he agreed. “I guess it is. I don’t want to leave you and Kara hanging though.”

“We’ll be fine. Your sister is eager to learn and really wants the job to keep her mind busy.”

He nodded. “Then I’ll take the manager job.” He brushed his lips across hers. “Which means I have to get back to work. See you tonight?”

She frowned slightly. “I’m having dinner with my mother.”

His eyebrows arched. “Need backup?”

She chuckled. “Thanks, I think there are a few things I need to get off my chest and, well, it’s not going to be pretty.”

He nodded. “Call me if you need me.” He kissed her again.

Chapter Twenty

Andrea closed her eyes, letting his words wash over her. For the first time in days, she felt a small glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, she could find the courage to move forward. To confront her mother and sister for the way that they had treated her for years, for her entire life.