The Summer Getaway: A Novel(14)

She liked this, she thought happily. They were a good team.

They sat across from each other at the table.

“So,” she said, picking up her wine. “How was your day?”

“I sell appliances, Harlow. It’s not exciting.”

“But you’re good at it.”

He smiled. “I am, much to the annoyance of the other salespeople.”

“So today you sold?”

He thought for a second. “Three washers and dryers and two microwaves. I also had clients come in who are doing a full kitchen remodel.”

“Ka-ching.”

“It’ll be a good commission.”

They talked all through dinner, then he helped her load the dishwasher. At eight, he started his biweekly online game with friends, while she loaded up her wedding planning app and tried to make a few decisions. When she got overwhelmed, she checked her email and found a newsletter from the Children’s Cancer Hospital, where she’d been treated.

There were the usual notes on new treatments, updates on former patients, and donation requests.

Harlow gave a little each month. Everyone there had been so good to her. She’d been sick and scared, and they’d made her feel better.

Once she’d been deemed “cured,” she’d returned for follow-ups. Monthly at first, then every six months, then yearly. She could never assume she would live her life cancer-free, but the fear was less prevalent than it had been even five years ago.

She looked at Kip, intent on his game. He understood that she lived with the shadow of the disease somewhere in a corner of her life. That having been diagnosed so young, she was more likely to be diagnosed again at some point. A truth that should have sent him running, but hadn’t.

Other guys had been scared off, or treated her differently. They were too careful, too concerned, too unable to cope. Kip had listened, then pulled her close and made love to her. He never monitored her health or asked if she was too tired. He trusted her to take care of herself, and that made her love him more. With him, she could imagine forever—and there was no better feeling than that.





five



I’m sorry we fought.

ROBYN STARED AT the text, not sure what it meant. Jase saying he was sorry they fought wasn’t the same as apologizing for what he said or the way he’d walked out. Just as troubling, she’d been unable to let go of her irritation. He’d been all over Austin for no reason. Early on in their relationship, they’d agreed they didn’t get involved in each other’s children’s lives. She never offered advice about his girls, and he was supposed to stay quiet about her kids. Only he was forever making comments about their choices.

She was also concerned about Austin’s statement that Jase didn’t approve of him. Had Jase said something to Austin?

A question she was going to have to ask her boyfriend directly, she thought, quickly texting a noncommittal Me, too, before shoving her phone back in her purse. She got out of her car and looked around Austin’s apartment complex. Seconds later, Harlow appeared, pushing a flatbed cart across the parking lot.

Robyn had offered to fill Austin’s refrigerator as a housewarming gift, and Harlow had come by on her day off to help.

“How much food do you think I bought?” Robyn asked with a laugh. “Maybe we won’t need that.”

“I know you, Mom. You bought out the store.”

“I’ll admit it. I totally did.”

She watched her daughter approach, enjoying her easy stride and how healthy she looked. Harlow was about her height—nearly five-eight—with long blond hair and blue eyes. They looked enough alike that no one could question their relationship.

Robyn popped open the trunk and stared at the grocery bags she’d crammed into the back of her SUV. Harlow stopped beside her.

“Jeez, Mom, they’re going to have to restock every department.”

“I don’t want Austin going hungry.”

Together they loaded the bags onto the cart, then made their way to Austin’s new apartment. He’d left the key under the mat, as promised.

The apartment was big and airy, with a view of the community pool. A big black leather sofa faced the eighty-inch TV from her media room. The sad little rejected TV sat on the floor. On the coffee table were game controllers, soda cans and the remains of Mexican takeout.

“My brother is a pig,” Harlow said with a laugh. “At least Kip now hangs up his towels and puts his dirty clothes into the basket.”

“Austin will learn.”

Robyn checked out the bedroom and bathroom before returning to the kitchen. Harlow had already started setting food on the counter.

“Is there a pantry?” Robyn asked, holding a loaf of bread and a box of cereal.

“There.” Harlow pointed to a tall cabinet next to the refrigerator.

Robyn opened the doors and saw a bag of M&M’s and a box of Ritz crackers on a shelf and absolutely nothing else.

“That boy,” she murmured. “I taught him better than this. He’s going to get scurvy.”

“Can you get that in a summer?”

“I hope not.”

They continued to empty grocery bags. Robyn had gone with easy-to-prepare foods like frozen pizza and bagged salad. She’d bought all his favorite fruits, thinking at least then he would be getting some vitamins. As they worked, they talked about how Harlow was doing, working for her dad, living with Kip.