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She was all grown up and ready to take the next step into adulthood. And everything that came with it. Including a real relationship with the guy she wanted more than anything.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Summer walked into her dad’s office holding a takeout bag of Chinese food, since he didn’t have a lot of time today to go out to eat. She’d take what time he did have to share a meal and some conversation before his next meeting.
Her dad stood and greeted her with a kiss on the cheek before he rubbed his hands together. “Please tell me they had those amazing pot stickers.”
“I got two orders, plus the moo shu pork, extra plum sauce.”
She set the bag on his desk and pulled out the containers while he went around to take his seat. “Are you having a good day?”
“I am. Cody’s not.”
“Why?” Concern made her gut tight. “Is everything okay?”
Her dad waved it away. “He’s been watching this company we’ve wanted to buy for a long time. They recently had a management shake-up and now the company’s stock is down. Cody wants to swoop in and buy it now, but we don’t have the equity or leverage to do it at this time. Not without putting our financials in jeopardy.” Nate opened his chopsticks and picked up a pot sticker. “I wish we could do it.” Her dad popped the pot stickerinto his mouth and chewed, a thoughtful look coming over him. “The company is in Austin.”
“Really? Tell me more.”
The more her father told her, the more she wanted to know, because this could be an opportunity she didn’t want to pass up. A chance that could bring her and Cody closer together.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Natalie sat back in the chair at her desk and stared at the page filled with math equations. All of them solved correctly, thanks to Summer.
“You’ve got this, Natalie. You’re going to ace that test.”
Thanks to you, she silently acknowledged.
She hadn’t been thrilled about asking for Summer’s help. She thought her big sister would think she was stupid. Math sometimes didn’t compute for her. But Summer had worked with her, going step by step through the problems, and actually explaining it in a way that made sense.
And maybe Summer deserved some credit for that. “I couldn’t have gotten this far along without your help.”
“Do you feel ready for the test? If you want to practice a bit more, we can keep working on it.”
Natalie shook her head. “No, I think I’ve got it now.”
“Great. I’m so glad I could help.” Summer stood and stretched her back, staring out the windows at the backyard. “You have a great view from here. I love those huge oaks.”
Natalie did, too. “First thing in the morning, the mist and sunlight coming through the trees is gorgeous. Each day, it’s a littledifferent.” Natalie stared out at the trees. “Most mornings, there’s a herd of deer that come through here.”
Summer smiled. “I see them on my runs. A big family of them. Not to mention the squirrels that scamper everywhere and up the trees.”
“I’ve photographed them,” Natalie admitted.
“I’ve seen them. I follow your Instagram account.”
Natalie had cringed at first that her sister started following her. But then Summer would leave comments. Nice things, like, “Gorgeous! Great hair day!” when Natalie posted an early morning pic of her before she got ready for school and her hair was a tangled mess. “Cute cuddles!” for the picture of two bunnies next to each other, their heads turned, noses touching.
But the comment she liked the most was the one Summer left on a picture Natalie had taken of storm clouds off the coast and over the ocean. She’d commented simply, “Exceptional!”
“You post the most beautiful pictures.”
Natalie tilted her head. “You really like them?”
Summer grinned and nodded, pride in her eyes. “Everything you shoot is amazing. You should use that talent more often. You could probably start your own business and make some money on the side while you’re at college.”
Wonder and appreciation filled Natalie’s eyes. “You really think so?”
