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Suddenly, Natalie tripped and fell to her side, hitting her hip on the grass as she reached for her ankle. “Ouch. Stupid squirrel hole.”
There were dozens around them.
Cody dropped the stacked pails and shovels and bent next to Natalie. He took her foot in his hands and examined her ankle, gently pressing his fingers into it. “Does that hurt?”
Natalie hissed in pain. “Yes.”
Cody met Natalie’s gaze. “You’re such a klutz. I tell you all the time to watch where you’re walking out here.”
They had all been careful about where they stepped. It seemed odd that Natalie would walk into such a big, obvious hole.
Perhaps Natalie had gotten distracted.
Like the many times she’d side-eyed Summer and Cody walking just a few steps behind her, Cody holding Summer’s hand.
Cody looked up at Summer. “Mind grabbing that stuff? I’ll carry her up to the house and we’ll put ice on that ankle.”
Natalie immediately put her arms around Cody’s neck as he picked her up like she weighed nothing. Natalie even put her head on his shoulder.
Summer studied her sister.
The affection between Cody and Natalie was real, as she’d expect from two people who’d practically grown up together. But that was the thing. Cody was a grown man in his late twenties. Natalie had just recently turned eighteen and had all those teenage hormones and a gorgeous man living in close proximity.
Summer hoped Natalie realized sooner rather than later that Cody didn’t return her feelings. From the outside looking in, it seemed to Summer that Cody saw Natalie as a sister.
What a crushing blow that could be for a young woman like Natalie.
Summer would have to be mindful of it and not flaunt her budding relationship with Cody. But eventually, if it hadn’t sunk in yet, Natalie would see that what Summer and Cody shared was real and getting serious.
Summer and Alex returned the beach supplies to the back door of the Larkin side of the house, then walked across the courtyard to the Weston side and into the kitchen, where Cody had set Natalie on a chair. He had his head inside the freezer. Natalie was staring at his backside.
Summer announced her presence by clearing her throat. “How’s the ankle feel now?”
“Sore,” Natalie said immediately.
Cody finished filling a plastic bag with ice, brought it over, and gently picked up Natalie’s foot and placed it on the opposite chair, then laid the ice over her ankle. “Leave this on for about ten tofifteen minutes. Hopefully you just have a slight sprain and it will be better in a day or so.”
Miranda walked in and gasped. “What’s happened?” Her gaze shot to Summer.
“We were walking back from the beach and Natalie accidentally stepped in a squirrel hole. I don’t think it’s serious. Cody carried her back to the house.”
Miranda’s gaze went from Cody to Natalie, and a knowing look came into her eyes, but it was gone so fast that Summer wondered if she’d seen it at all. “I see. Well, you’ll have to try to stay off of it for a little while. Which will give you plenty of time to study for finals.”
“I was hoping Cody and I could watch a couple episodes of our show.” Natalie turned puppy dog eyes on Cody. “You promised we would soon, but you’re always busy. I’m dying to find out what’s happening.”
Cody glanced at Summer.
She caught the concern in Miranda’s eyes and Natalie’s rapt attention on Summer, a look of hope that Summer didn’t ruin this for her, and a dare to do just that and see what happened. “I have a call to return and dozens of emails.” That’s what came out of her mouth. Inside, she’d hoped to invite Cody out to lunch, somewhere they could be alone and spend time talking and getting to know each other better.
Cody frowned. “It’s Saturday. After the day you had yesterday, take a break.”
“I did this morning. I will later.”
“Right,” Cody agreed. “We have plans.”
“I remember. I’ll see you soon.” She turned to Natalie. “I hope that ankle feels better soon.”
Natalie nodded, then immediately shifted her focus to Cody. “Will you help me to the couch?”
