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“And how are things with your sisters?”
“Haley and I continue to just have fun together. Natalie, though...”
“She still pushing you away?”
“Sometimes. Other times, like when we shopped for dresses and I helped her with her homework, I feel like we really connect. Going to the benefit with everyone last night, I truly felt like a part of the family.”
“I’m so happy for you. It sounds like you’re finding your place there and you’ll have Cody when it’s time for you to return to Texas.”
“I just hope it all works out.”
“It will.” Lucy paused, then asked, “Have you spoken to Jessica?”
“No. I’m focused on being here.”
Cody walked out onto the patio, stole a strawberry off her plate, kissed her on the forehead, then picked up her feet, straddled the lounge chair facing her, and set her feet on his thigh. He looked so damn good in nothing but swim shorts, his hair wet and tousled, his chest bare.
“Hey, Lucy, I’ve gotta go.”
“He’s there, isn’t he?”
“In the flesh. A lot of it.”
“I want pictures of you two.”
Cody stared at her, his gaze dipping to her mouth, then her breasts swelling over the top of her tank top. That look could set fire to her clothes.
“I’ll send them soon. Love you, Luc.”
“Love you back, babe.”
Summer set her phone on the little table beside her.
“How’s your sister?”
She loved that he understood Lucy was the sister of her heart.“She’s disgruntled about the decorator she hired for the New York hotel we’re renovating, so she’s taking a time-out at my Belize house.”
“Nice. I’d love to see it sometime.”
“I’d like to see more of you.” She roamed her gaze over all his bare skin and sculpted muscles.
Cody shifted one of her legs to the other side of him, reached forward, took her by the hips, and pulled her up onto his lap so she was straddling him. “I came to get you because everyone wants to go for a hike.”
“Then you better hurry up and give me what I want, so we don’t keep them waiting.”
He slid his hands up her sides, his thumbs brushing the underside of her breasts. “And what do you want?”
“You.”
Cody dove in for a searing kiss. The man knew how to be quick and thorough. They made it out to meet everyone for the hike only a few minutes late, but very satisfied and happy.
Chapter Forty
Summer and Cody walked into the restaurant behind her family, Natalie in the lead, still wearing her cap and gown over a pretty cranberry-colored dress, her diploma in her hand and a brilliant smile on her face.
The graduation ceremony had lasted an hour and a half. They all cheered when Natalie walked across the stage to receive her diploma. Alex had even colored a sign with Natalie’s name on it, so she’d know where they were sitting and could wave at them.
It was a perfect family outing, one Summer hadn’t experienced growing up as an only child. Her mother, grandfather, and great-uncle had attended her high school graduation, of course, cheering for her, but also ready for her to hurry up and finish college so she could rule the Sutherland empire one day.
