Brooklyn Summer

by Maggie Cummings

  Ashleigh McAllister’s life is a total disaster. Her ex dumped her for a guy, and she can’t seem to stop bumping into them in their suddenly way too small Brooklyn neighborhood. At least Mother Nature is on her side. Summer is here and the forecast is all sun. Ashleigh needs a little excitement, and things get exponentially hotter when Kellan Dwyer walks into her life.

  Fresh out of the army, Kellan is killing time apartment sitting before returning home to a scripted future in Colorado. Her itinerary consists solely of having a blast.

  Ashleigh and Kellan decide friends with benefits is hot, and fun, and sexy as hell, but romance? Terrible idea.

  With the New York City skyline as their backdrop, the summer heats up fast. They just have to keep their feelings in check before someone gets hurt. When opposites attract, can a summer of passion lead to a lifetime of love?

  Praise for Maggie Cummings

  Perfect Partners

  “If you like friends-to-lovers romances, you will enjoy this book. If you are a fan of books about dogs, you will love this book. I enjoyed it, and I fit into both categories.”—Rainbow Reflections

  “Maggie Cummings has an amazing talent for writing characters I easily fall for, and she brings them to life with such panache…This is a feel-good tale that left me with a smile on my face. Highly recommended.”—Kitty Kat’s Book Review Blog

  Against All Odds

  “I started reading the book trying to dissect the writing and ended up forgetting all about the fact that three people were involved in writing it because the story just grabbed me by the ears and dragged me along for the ride…[A] really great romantic suspense that manages both parts of the equation perfectly. This is a book you won’t be able to put down.”—C-Spot Reviews

  Definite Possibility

  “I enjoyed this book, well written with well-developed characters, including some familiar faces from the previous book in the series. The leads had good chemistry and the angst level was just right. It was an enjoyable read for a quiet afternoon.”—Melina Bickard, Librarian, Waterloo Library (UK)

  “[T]wo parallel romances give a quick pace to the book with more drama and romance…But what I really liked is that the story goes beyond both romances and is a tale of friendship, family and love. Overall, a heartwarming and feel-good story with a bit of drama on the side.”—Lez Review Books

  Totally Worth It

  “[I]t was…really nice reading about people going through the same transitory period in their lives that I, and many other twenty-somethings, also are…By the end of the book, I was a little jealous that I didn’t live in Bay West like the characters. Needless to say, I was pretty pleased when I found out that this was going to be a series because Bay West has so much potential…I can’t wait to see where Cummings takes us next.”—Read All About Queer Lit

  Brooklyn Summer

  Brought to you by

  eBooks from Bold Strokes Books, Inc.

  http://www.boldstrokesbooks.com

  eBooks are not transferable. They cannot be sold, shared or given away as it is an infringement on the copyright of this work.

  Please respect the rights of the author and do not file share.

  Brooklyn Summer

  © 2020 By Maggie Cummings. All Rights Reserved.

  ISBN 13: 978-1-63555-579-0

  This Electronic Original Is Published By

  Bold Strokes Books, Inc.

  P.O. Box 249

  Valley Falls, NY 12185

  First Edition: February 2020

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission.

  Credits

  Editor: Ruth Sternglantz

  Production Design: Stacia Seaman

  Cover Design by Tammy Seidick

  By the Author

  Totally Worth It

  Serious Potential

  Definite Possibility

  Perfect Partners

  Against All Odds (with Kris Bryant and M. Ullrich)

  Brooklyn Summer

  Acknowledgments

  With each book, the network of support seems to grow wider and stronger. For starters, I’d like to thank Rad, Sandy, and the entire team at BSB for creating such a great place to work. Thank you also to Ruth Sternglantz, my amazing editor, for always keeping me on point, for guiding me, teaching me, and for never growing tired of my endless questions. To my fellow writers, who are both friends and colleagues, thank you for making this journey so much fun.

  I am so grateful for my tribe—my chosen family, my given family. I truly could not accomplish anything without the support of Kat, Caleb, and Abby, who are my whole heart and the most important part of my life. Without their encouragement, love, and continual supply of hugs and Hershey’s kisses, I’d be truly lost. I also feel incredibly fortunate for Nush, who always pushes me to keep going and keeps me laughing along the way. Thank you to all my friends who are consistently supportive. I am just so lucky to have such a wonderful group of people who feel more like family than anything else. To Sheila, Matt, Lucy, and Lizzie, thanks for always cheering me on. I’m so thankful to all my relatives for their encouragement, especially my parents and grandparents, who spent so many hours telling stories about Brooklyn and Ireland that somehow sank in and made their way into the backstory of the characters on these pages. I’m grateful for the rich history, the culture, the entertainment value, but most importantly for having a family so willing and ready to share it all.

  For Peggy Buckley, the original Brooklyn girl

  Chapter One

  “I need a vacation from my life.”

  Ashleigh McAllister flopped on a sturdy barstool as she sized up her friend’s overhauled Brooklyn pub.

  “Soon enough. School’s over in what, two days?” Liam asked as he looked over his domain.

  “It’s basically over now. Today was the last full day. Tomorrow is twelve o’clock dismissal.”

  “See that. Relief, right around the corner.”

  “From work, at least.” She fidgeted with the edge of a napkin. In the past, summer break meant free time, lazy days, mini vacations. Since her divorce was final, the weeks ahead felt like a series of empty days lying in wait. “The classroom has been my saving grace this whole year.”

  “Speaking of, you’re still bringing your teacher friends by, right? They drink like fish, and honestly, I could use the business.”

  “It’s all set up. Everyone’s pumped.”

  “Awesome. It’s supposed to be gorgeous. It’s going to be my first night opening up the back. I’m hoping to tap into that summer energy.”

  “That sounds fun. Can I go see how it looks back there?”

  “Not yet.”

  Ashleigh frowned.

  “Don’t be mad. I just want it to be perfect when you see it.”

  “Fine. But the only reason I’m not mad is because I love you.” Ashleigh tried to bring some spirit into her voice even though her mood was in the gutter. “I’m a sucker for a good reveal. I bet it’s going to change the vibe of this whole place.”

  “That’s the plan.” He crossed his fingers to the sky. “So what’s the matter?” he asked. “Why the glum face? Bill and Peg driving you crazy at home?”

  “I wish. In fact, the opposite’s true.” Ashleigh had zero reasons to complain, but she was sorry for herself today. “My parents are amazing. Mom makes my lunch every day. My dad folds my laundry. They’ll regret this when I never move out again.”

  “Stop. They love you. We all d
o.”

  “Not all.” She glanced out the open bay window hoping the sun glare would obscure the emotions that still felt fresh. “Clearly.”

  He filled a pint glass to the brim with ice, gunned in some seltzer, and hit it with a splash of OJ. “Here you go, my dear.” He placed the drink directly in front of her and egged her on with a nod of his chin. “Tell the old whiskey slinger here what’s wrong.”

  She eyed the drink suspiciously. “There’s no alcohol in this, is there?”

  “And violate your strict weekday prohibition?” He teased her openly. “Of course not.”

  “Just making sure.” She stirred the drink with a paper straw, watching the ice form a tiny whirlpool. “Quit making me sound so uptight. I’m just not that big a fan of day drinking.”

  “You are a nerd.” He winked at her. “It’s part of your charm.” He leaned on the bar across from where she was sitting. “So, talk to me. I am a bartender, you know.”

  “Don’t act like this is all in your genetic makeup. You’ve been a bartender for exactly nine months.”

  “Ten,” he corrected. “And this was my parents’ place, and my grandfather’s before that. So, technically, it is in my blood.” His smile was endearing and it struck Ashleigh how much she’d missed him over the years. “But that’s not the point. I’ve been your best friend since birth. In all seriousness, I’m here for you. Out with it,” he ordered.

  She pulled a long sip from her straw, searching for courage in her virgin cocktail. “I saw them again. Reagan and Josh.”

  He groaned. “When?”

  “Just now. After I walked Granny to her tai chi class at the senior center. They were leaving CrossFit on Fifth and Sackett. Holding hands.”

  “Gross.”

  “Right?”

  “Who holds hands on the way out of the gym? All sweaty and salty? Blech.” He shivered in dramatic disgust.

  “Not what I meant. But I’ll take it.”

  “How’d it go when you saw them? The convo, I mean.”

  “Oh my God, I didn’t talk to them. I turned the corner and hightailed it here.” Ashleigh saw them too often in the neighborhood, and usually she swallowed her pride and engaged them. Today she didn’t have it in her. She held her chin high in the air. “That’s when I decided that I’m just going to spend the whole summer right here. This way I’m sure to avoid them.” She forced a smile and coupled it with a defiant nod.

  “I’m a fan of this decision.” He did an impromptu celebratory dance raising the roof with both hands. “Ash, you can come here every day. Honestly, I would love it. Because I love you and I missed your face and I love spending time with you.” He reached for a bar rag from his back pocket. “But—”

  “Here it comes.”

  “Don’t with the woe-is-me tone. I’m not going to lecture you.” He leaned over and took her face in his strong hands and kissed her forehead. “But I ain’t gonna coddle you either.” Liam reached for a lime and tossed it to himself before grabbing a bar knife to start breaking it down. “It wouldn’t hurt you to get back out there.”

  Ashleigh felt a smidge of betrayal and she wanted him to know it. She folded her arms across her chest and pouted.

  “Come on. Don’t give me that look. You and Reagan have been over for ages. You even told me so. Eons ago. You sent me emails saying you were growing apart. And that was back when I was in Asia, I believe.”

  Her look of confusion must have revealed she didn’t follow his timeline.

  “My point is, I was stationed there, let me think…” He paused for a second, doing the calculation in his head. “Seven years ago. Seven years,” he added for emphasis. “It’s actually insane that you stayed married this long. When you knew—you knew—almost a decade ago, that it was over.”

  “I don’t know if I really knew.”

  “You knew. You told me you had doubts. You said you and Reagan were more like friends than anything else. That you’d slipped into the dreaded lesbian bed death.” He widened his eyes for dramatic emphasis before he suddenly stopped slicing the lime and looked right at her. “Please don’t tell me you haven’t gotten any action in seven years.”

  “Shut up.” She was embarrassed and worried it showed. It hadn’t been quite that long, but while the demise of her marriage had been amicable, it had not been amorous. She grabbed a handful of cardboard coasters and threw them at him like Frisbees to break the tension.

  “Hey. I’m trying to keep this place clean!” He bent down to pick up the mess immediately. “I’m not making fun of you,” he said. He walked over to her and leaned on the spotless bar top. “Ashleigh, your divorce has been final since September. It’s June. The entire year it was one thing after another. First it was the beginning of the school year, then running the math club, helping the AP students get ready for college entrance exams, helping the non-AP kids get ready for college entrance exams.” His smile was sweet and supportive as he enumerated her excuses on his fingertips. “It’s summer. You live in downtown Brooklyn, the unofficial capital of the lesbian universe. Christ, you can’t throw a rock without hitting a pair of women pushing a repurposed, handcrafted, organic stroller together.”

  “Or my ex-wife and her new boy toy.”

  “It sucks that Reagan’s with someone else. And that you all live within a three-block radius of each other.” He touched her forearm. “I feel you.” He pushed off the bar. “But it’s time you get back out there too. You’re thirty-seven. Not ninety-seven.”

  “I can’t even imagine being in another relationship.”

  “Hold up. Problem number one. Who said anything about a relationship? I said get back out there. Play the field. Date.”

  “Easy for you to say. Guys practically throw themselves at you. Women too, I bet.”

  “Even if that was the case, I’ve never had any interest, and you know it.” He snapped the bar rag in her direction with a laugh. “As far as guys go”—he shrugged in submission—“I’ve been in the Army for the last twenty years, so even though I was surrounded by guys, it was not exploding with opportunity.”

  “Now that you’re home, I bet you find the perfect guy in no time.”

  “No worries.” His smile was impish. “I’m rather enjoying myself assessing the options.”

  “I wish I had one ounce of your confidence.”

  “I don’t know why you don’t.” He dropped his rag and reached for more fruit to prep the bar for the dinner crowd he hoped would begin to filter in. Working on a lemon, he snuck a sideways glance. “Look at you. Long blond hair, blue eyes, adorable dork factor. I can’t believe women aren’t lining up for you. Oh, wait”—he held his knife in the air—“I can. Because you never leave the house. And you refuse dating apps. So how the fuck are they supposed to find you?”

  “I leave the house.” Okay, it was mostly to go to work, but technically it was the truth.

  “Work doesn’t count. But only because you’re not interested in any of your colleagues.”

  “They’re all straight. Or men. Or straight men.”

  “The worst offenders of our society.”

  “You’re telling me.” Her sigh was heavy and filled with defeat.

  “Yikes.” He winced. “I wasn’t even meaning to reference Josh.”

  She wiped the condensation off the glass of her unfinished drink, unable to block out the image of Reagan and how happy she’d looked today, even from afar.

  “Hey.” Liam brought her back to the present. “Forget her. You’re going to find someone. I promise. You’re gorgeous, and smart, and sweet. If Reagan couldn’t see that in all the years you were together, she’s definitely not worth your time right now.”

  “Thanks, Liam.”

  “I love ya, Ash. You deserve to be happy. I want that for you.”

  “I do too.” She reached for her phone and zipped in her passcode. “And I have a plan for that.”

  “Good. Whatcha got cooking?” Liam nodded at her phone.

  “You�
�re going to like it. It involves leaving my parents’ house. A lot.”

  He waved his hands excitedly, not having to dig deep to find his inner queen. “Praise be.”

  “I decided that instead of hanging around Park Slope all summer where I am apparently bound to continuously run into Reagan and her boyfriend”—it was still difficult to say those words out loud—“I’m going to live it up.”

  “I’m listening.”

  She pulled up a calendar on her phone. “I’m—correction, we’re—going to do New York City.” Reading his confusion, she held up a hand. “Stay with me. All the things that tourists do: museums, the Statue of Liberty, Chinatown, Roosevelt Island, Broadway, all that stuff is at our fingertips. But how often do we really take advantage of it? Hardly at all,” she said, answering her own question. “This is going to be our summer of spontaneity. We’ll do something different each day.” She’d crafted her agenda for weeks and couldn’t help but feel a surge of pleasure at seeing it displayed in all its color-coded glory on the screen. With the tip of her finger she panned back and forth so he could get a good look. “All the fun of being tourists, but we get to sleep in our own beds at night. Well, you get to sleep in your own bed. I get to sleep in the twin bed of my youth. I’m blocking that part out.”

  “I love it. Only one problem.” He fanned his hand over the bar. “I’m kind of stuck here, trying desperately to turn this place into a sustainable future.”

  Ashleigh smiled in commiseration. “I thought you might say that. I do have a backup plan.”