Catching Summer (Second Chances, #6)(38)

Grinning, he rubbed his stubbly chin. “For starters, let’s do it for a week. That way, if you feel it’s beneficial we can do it for another week and so on.”

“What if it goes on for months?”

He leaned over and kissed me, placing his forehead to mine. “That’s what I’m hoping, but we’ll take it one step at a time.” Getting up, he reached for my hand, pulling me to my feet. “Now let’s take a shower and get the hell home. You have an interview to prepare for. Not to mention, we have to tell your sister that she’ll be short one roommate.”

I followed him to the bathroom and smiled. Lara would be free from feeling obligated to watch over me. She deserved the freedom. “I’m pretty sure she’ll be perfectly fine without me.”





Chapter 18


Summer


I was starting to think I was a bad influence on Evan. For two days in a row, he would’ve been late for practice if I hadn’t shoved him out the door. Hell, it took all the willpower I had to even do that. This morning, however, I really wished he could’ve joined me. I was nervous about the interview, but luckily Grayson and Lara were going to be with me. At the party afterward, I was going to open up a bottle of wine and celebrate with my family and friends.

By the time I got dressed and sauntered into the kitchen, I was shocked to see a bouquet of rainbow-colored roses and two blueberry scones sitting on the bar. Evan had left early, saying that Joel wanted him at the field. Sneaky bastard. Taking a bite of the scone, I noticed there was a note with my name on it.

Summer,

Good luck in the interview. I’ll see you tonight. I love you.

Evan





Putting the note in my purse, I snatched up the other blueberry scone and headed for the door. I could hear my heart pounding in my ears. My fear was that the journalist was going to get to the restaurant and turn right around, saying the Carolina Tavern wasn’t what they’d thought it would be. I prayed that wouldn’t be the case.

By the time I got to the restaurant, Grayson’s car was already in the parking lot. I didn’t see Lara’s. Inside, Grayson was straightening up the tables and chairs. “Good morning,” I called out.

He peered at me over his shoulder and smiled. “Same to you. You ready for today?”

I set my purse down on the bar and joined him. “I sure as hell hope so. The last thing I want is to sound like an idiot.”

Chuckling, he shook his head. “That’s not going to happen. Besides, you’ll have me and your sister there to help.”

“Speaking of Lara, where is she?”

He cleared his throat, averting his gaze. “She’s in the back.”

“So you two rode together?”

Sighing, he leaned against the table. “Is this going to be weird for you?”

“No, but I just don’t want to see either of you get hurt.”

“You mean me?” he asked with a smirk. I shrugged in response. Deep down, I knew Lara still had feelings for Luke. “Don’t worry about me, Sum. By the way she looks at Collins, I know she’s not over what happened. I’m hoping to change that.”

Stepping forward, I wrapped my arms around his neck, squeezing tight. “And I hope you can. You’re an amazing guy.”

“Am I missing something?” Lara blurted with her hands on her hips, grinning at Grayson. “You do know that’s not me, right?”

Chuckling, he let me go. “My mistake.” Then in a loud whisper he said, “Sorry about kissing you.”

Lara rolled her eyes. “Now, I know that wouldn’t happen. She’s too far stuck up Evan’s ass.” Then she held up her hands. “Which is a good thing. Donna and Jerry are excited to meet him.”

“Are they in town already?” I asked, wide-eyed. I hadn’t seen Austin’s parents in over a year.

Grayson nodded. “They got in late last night and made a surprise visit.” By the way Lara blushed I could only imagine what they’d interrupted.

“I see.” I giggled. “I’m glad I wasn’t there for that.”

Lara scoffed. “Tell me about it. I couldn’t look them in the eyes for the rest of the night. Thank God we left this morning before they got up.”

“You two are too much,” I said, shaking my head. I glanced over at the clock and saw we had thirty minutes before our appointment with the journalist. Traipsing to the bar, I pulled out a bottle of whiskey and three shot glasses. Grayson and Lara joined me with amused smiles on their faces. “What do you say, guys? A shot to loosen us up?”

Lara laughed and slapped her hand on the bar. “Hit me up, woman.” I poured the whiskey and slid them both a shot glass. Taking a deep breath, I held mine up in the air.

“To our future. May this day be the beginning of something great.”

—

The interview went amazingly well. Susan Jenks, the journalist who interviewed us, was a graying middle-aged woman with bright blue eyes and a kind smile. She asked us so many questions about how we got started. Her enthusiasm made me feel perfectly at ease. She loved our décor and the overall ambience of the tavern, saying that it was the epitome of southern charm. Pictures were taken, and she said she was even going to put one of Austin in the article.