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“Thank you,” I turn to look at him, he’s just opened the car door and the interior lights are shining brightly. I can see that this time, I’ve made him blush.
“You’re welcome. It really is stunning.” We both get out and I follow him as he walks up the front steps. Rome unlocks the door, flips the switch and says, “After you.”
“Mind if I take off my shoes?” I ask.
“Not at all, in fact I’m going to change up really quick. You want to wear something else?”
“God, yes. You’d be my life saver forever,” I say as I finish taking off my shoes. I don’t care how expensive they are, shoes should not be that uncomfortable.
I watch as Rome drops the food off on the kitchen counter, then heads upstairs to what I’m assuming is his bedroom to change.
I make my way into his kitchen and look around. He has an unobstructed view of the beach. Once I set the shakes down besides the burgers, I make my way to the sliding glass doors and stare out at the ocean. The soft glow from his outdoor and pool lights helps me see the waves crashing on the shore.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Rome questions as he comes up beside me. I look at him and see he’s changed into a pair of shorts and white cotton tee shirt.
“It really is. I love my condo, but I don’t have a view like this to wake up to,” I reply.
“You’re welcome to come over any time.”
“Really? You’d let me come over and use your home and pool anytime? You barely know me though,” I question.
“I’ve known who you are for a while, Summer. I may not have met you, but your father has been in my office a time or two. When you live in a small community like this, people talk. Glad I was able to finally put a face to the name though,” his finger traces my jawline.
I take a gulp of air, not totally knowing how to respond. I think he knows that too. He takes a step back saying, “Clothes are on the chair, there’s a bathroom right around the corner. I’ll plate our food while you change.”
“Okay,” I reply, walking to where he said the clothes were. I grab them and head to the bathroom before mumbling under my breath, “Way to go Summer, you probably just ruined not only your night but his too. Ugh.”
9
Rome
Fuck, I grumble out after Summer is well out of ear shot. I heard her talking to herself as she left. I hate like hell that she thought she’d ruin our night when truth be told, I was the one that probably did that.
I pull my phone out and find the group text Mason and Heath are in and type out a message.
Me: Left the event early, pretty sure I met her. If I didn’t fuck it all up.
Heath: Your middle name is fuck up.
Mason: Just fuck and make-up.
Me: You two are a wealth of knowledge, dicks.
Heath: At least I know how to use it.
Mason: Want me to draw you a dick?
I throw my phone on the counter, not even bothering replying to them. Shitheads, that’s what they are. We talk about finding the one and settling down, too bad I don’t see those two doing that at all.
Hearing the bathroom door creak open, I hurry up and plate our burgers and fries.
“I just..uh, I want to apologize for how I reacted,” Summer comes out saying. I stop in my tracks and take her in, she’s wearing a pair of my pajama pants, rolled up at her hips a few times, and one of my cotton shirts that she has tied in a knot at her side. She’s wringing her hands together in nervousness.
The thought of her standing there and feeling unsure of herself. It gut checks me, especially if it’s something I can fix.
“You have nothing to apologize for, I was a dick,” I breathe out and come to her. My hands find the side of her face and I tilt her head up, so our eyes are looking into each other’s.
“I’m sorry, truly. I was gruff and I shouldn’t have been. Not with you, not ever,” I say honestly.
“Well, I still want to apologize. I kind of accused you of not being genuine, and that’s not fair. Not to either of us.”
“Okay.” I take in the curves she has in my clothes, finding myself wanting to strip her down to see what she’s hiding underneath it all.
“Okay then,” she responds.
“Let’s grab our food and eat. I promised you dinner and a nice evening.”
“Can we eat outside?” she questions.
“Anything you want, it’s yours,” I reply. Meaning way more than just where she wants to eat.
