Brooklyn Summer

by Maggie Cummings

  It was so much more complicated than he was making it sound, but Liam didn’t know that. “I don’t know, bro. It’s been a minute.”

  The bottles clanked as he stacked them on top of one another. “Look, it’s none of my business and I’m not trying to pry, I swear.” He shut the fridge door and made quick work of the thick cardboard box. “But I also know when I met you a million years ago, in Germany, I think it was”—he paused, seeming to assess whether or not the location was correct—“you two were inseparable.”

  “It was Germany. Baumholder.” She took a long sip of her drink, unable to keep the memory at bay.

  “That’s right. The Rock,” he said, invoking the base’s nickname. “God, that was a good assignment.” He seemed nostalgic for a moment. “Anyway, a few years later when we met up in Iraq, y’all were still tight. Cut to three years later…you and me together again in the Middle East, Afghanistan this time. Dara had left the military and you were a hot mess. When I asked, you said you two had a falling-out. You tried to play it off like it was no big deal, but you were pretty busted up. And look, from my limited exposure, there was no debate, you two were absolute besties. You had that kind of friendship that comes around once in a lifetime. If you’re lucky. So seeing you in that state, I knew what went down had to have been major.”

  “Dude, you make it sound like I was barely functional.” Defensiveness seeped into her tone and she forced a smile, hoping he didn’t notice.

  “That’s not what I mean at all.” Liam looked right at her, and his soft blue eyes held only kindness. “I’m just saying it was clear you missed her. Whatever your disagreement was, you were hurting.” He wiped the bar top clean and stood upright, seeming to survey his small domain. “Even though you barely talked about it. My guess is that it had something to do with her husband.” Liam tidied his bar stock as he spoke, straightening the napkins, coasters, and straws. “I’m not asking for confirmation, but every time I had any interaction with Ronnie Torres, he was a total prick.”

  “That is an understatement.” She turned her pint in her hand and examined the logo on the front. “It’s funny actually. Initially I avoided Dara on base because I knew she was married to that jack-off. I figured anyone with taste like that…no thanks.”

  “Crazy, though. Dara was a gem. Sweet, funny. Fucking brave too. A medic gig is no-nonsense.”

  Kellan hated that she felt a tug in her heart. But it was true. Dara was the real deal. Kind and hilarious, she couldn’t have been more opposite than her husband. They’d clicked from their first introduction and their friendship blossomed immediately. Before long, they were spending all their downtime together talking about home, their dreams beyond the Army, philosophizing about life and love, lifting one another up when they were homesick or tired or just plain sad.

  “I know you’re a smart person.” Liam checked his citrus supply. “Army intel and all that. So I’m going to assume you’ve done your research. And I’m not aiming to get in the way. Honest to God.” He looked up at the ceiling, paying homage to a deity she wasn’t sure existed. “Dara lives in Brooklyn. And she’s divorced. I can’t imagine that didn’t affect your decision to spend the summer here. What are you waiting for? Go find her and make things right already.”

  “Just for the record—me and Dara, it wasn’t romantic. There were never any kind of feelings. On either side. You do know that, right?” She knew she’d told Liam that much, but she also knew about the rumors. It seemed no one could resist a juicy story, even when there wasn’t one.

  His look told her she was crazy for even giving voice to a notion so ridiculous. “What, you’re too good to have friends now?”

  “No, I just know people talk. And, I don’t know. Ronnie wasn’t a fan of mine. I didn’t know what he might have said that made its way back to you.”

  “First off, if you were hitting that, I’d know. Like I knew when you broke rank and hooked up with Captain Regina Espinoza. You”—he snapped his bar rag in her direction—“have a terrible game face.”

  She laughed into her drink at the truthfulness of his statement. Her emotions, whether they were good, bad, or completely indifferent, might as well be embroidered on her sleeve.

  “I know all about your bizarre connection with Dara.” She froze for a second at the possibility he knew the whole story. A wave of both fear and relief shot through her, but it was for naught. “Remember, I spent a fair amount of time with you both. I watched you two connect on, like, an organic level. You finished each other’s sentences. It was like you shared a brain.”

  The wheels in her head turned, and she swallowed a smile in spite of the fact that she hadn’t made a decision yet. “She’s divorced, huh?” She ran her hand along the edge of the bar considering that detail.

  “She is. She’s working as an ER nurse in the city.”

  “How do you know so much about her?” She was trying to be cool, but in all honesty, other than a few basic internet searches, she had kept her word and stayed out of Dara’s life. She hadn’t even known about the divorce.

  Liam started to fill an order from one of the servers. “I talk to Joe Salvo once in a while. He’s like the social director. Stays in touch with a lot of the guys. He lives out in Queens. Apparently, he and his wife used to get together with Ronnie and Dara, here in New York, when their kids were little. I guess they were the same age. Roughly anyway. You knew Dara had a kid, right?”

  “Yep.” It was a detail she could never forget.

  “Anyway, whatever the fallout between you guys was, it’s none of my business.” He lined the drinks up on a bar tray, then wiped away the excess moisture rings. “You two had a bond unlike anything I’ve seen. True, genuine affection. Beyond kinship, in a way. Now you’re here. In Brooklyn.” He held his arms out wide. “Track her down and talk it out.”

  “It’s not that simple.”

  “I’m sure it isn’t. But you knew she was here. So you’ve at least considered contacting her.”

  “I haven’t spoken to her in over ten years.”

  “Do yourself a favor and don’t make it twenty.”

  Liam went back to doting over his spotless bar, perhaps to give her time to let his suggestion sink in. Thankfully, he didn’t seem to expect a more detailed explanation than she’d offered. Because she had no idea how to even begin to explain the depth of what she and Dara had shared and how it had all come apart.

  She studied the diminishing layer of froth halfway down her glass. She wondered what would happen if she told him everything. It was weird, but the person she wanted to tell was Ashleigh. She’d almost come close the day at the beach when they’d discussed serious relationships. Ashleigh had point blank asked about her life, and she’d opted not to share. She was only partially sure why. Without a doubt, her friendship with Dara surpassed anything romantic she’d experienced. A decade might have gone by, but Dara Torres was still the most significant person in her life. But how to convey that without telling the whole story, she had no idea.

  “Whoa! McAllisters. The whole clan!” Liam’s voice boomed in excitement, and she looked up to see him scooting under the bar to greet Ashleigh and her family with full hugs and kisses. “What a treat.”

  Indeed. Ashleigh had been tied up with commitments for two days and Kellan hated herself for missing her so hard. She couldn’t even dial back the smile that broke out the second they made eye contact. She didn’t hope for more but her heart pounded when Ashleigh sent her a look and blew a subtle kiss in her direction as Liam got them settled at a corner table. She let her eyes stay on Ashleigh’s lips for only another second as Ashleigh’s family chatted away, before she took out her phone for a distraction.

  “Hey.” Ashleigh was suddenly next to her, rubbing her back and gently dropping a discreet kiss on her shoulder. “I didn’t know you’d be here.”

  “How was shopping?” she asked, casting a look over at Ashleigh’s parents and grandmother talking to Liam.

  “Ugh. Shopping
.” Ashleigh made a tortured face before seeming to shift gears. Kellan felt her soft fingertips brush the bare skin of her biceps. “Is there any chance you’d join us for dinner?” Ashleigh ticked her head toward her family, and her voice had an adorable lilt to it, like she might be nervous to ask.

  “For real?”

  “I’m sure it’s not on your list of fun summer activities, but you’re awake, so I know you’re hungry.”

  “We know that’s true.” She let out a slight laugh at how well Ashleigh already knew her. “I feel bad crashing into your family time.”

  “I live with them. Every day is family time. Plus…” Ashleigh scrunched her nose and her eyes sparkled. “Be nice to see you.”

  “Yeah, okay. If you’re sure.”

  “I am.” Ashleigh let her hand linger the whole way down her arm and she felt her body buzz in response before her touch was gone.

  She followed Ashleigh to the table and almost made it free and clear until she saw Liam assessing them as he walked back to the bar. With a wave of his hand, he signaled his waitstaff to bring over another place setting for her. The smile he laid on her was loaded with inference, and as they crossed paths, he grabbed her arm and leaned in.

  “Dude, never play poker,” he whispered. “Seriously, I mean that,” he continued at full volume. To the average person his words might have been confusing, but his tone was all support, and the hefty thump he landed on her shoulder clearly signaled she had his vote.

  God bless the US Army and the fellowship it fostered.

  * * *

  “So, Kellan, Ashleigh tells us you’re retired from the service.” Bill McAllister sipped on a beer several shades paler than hers.

  “Yes, sir.” She glanced at the bar where Liam was working away. “That’s where I met Liam.”

  “And you’re here apartment-sitting for your aunt?” Peg chimed in. “Whereabouts is that?”

  “On Furman Street. Down near the water. Her building is right next to Brooklyn Bridge Park.”

  “Ooh, very nice. I’ve only driven by the redevelopment there. My father was a longshoreman on those piers when I was growing up. So interesting to see how that neighborhood has changed.”

  “Where’s home?” Bill asked as he split his attention between the conversation and Liam’s updated menu.

  “Colorado, sir. Vail, to be exact.”

  “Skiing sounds so exciting,” Granny mused. “Ashleigh, do you ski?”

  “Gran.” Ashleigh shot her grandmother a set of daggers from both eyes, but in the moment, Kellan realized she wanted to know the answer.

  She turned to Ashleigh. “Do you?”

  “I haven’t ever. When I was in high school, they did a ski trip to the Poconos every year, but it was always over winter break, and it coincided with practice for the Math Team.” Ashleigh’s shrug was positively adorable. “It was important to come out strong in the second semester.”

  “So no skiing.”

  “Sorry.”

  “Well, don’t be sorry, dear.” Granny straightened her silverware. “It seems like the perfect time to learn. Now you have someone to teach you.”

  “Except it’s July in New York.”

  “Don’t be obstinate, Ashleigh. Of course I meant when you visit Kellan in Colorado.”

  She saw Ashleigh roll her eyes at her grandmother, but she was down with the old lady’s spunk. It was cute that she was trying to play matchmaker, and Ashleigh looked adorably flustered to be on the spot.

  “We usually have snow as early as October. I bet there’s a school break you could sneak away for.” She smiled big, knowing that even though it was offered in sport, her invitation was a hundred percent real.

  “Stop it, you.” Ashleigh’s tone was all spirit. “Do not encourage her.” Ashleigh nodded toward her grandmother as she gave Kellan’s thigh a playful squeeze under the table.

  She looked at Ashleigh and tried hard to keep her tone free of flirtation. “You should come visit. Vail is beautiful.” She covered Ashleigh’s hand and laced their fingers together out of view. “I’ll even do the bunny slope with you.”

  Bill turned the conversation to dinner as he debated trying Liam’s trendy take on shepherd’s pie, versus soy-glazed baby back ribs, versus a standard burger.

  “Oh, don’t get a burger,” Granny said. “Be adventurous—try something new. Anyway, we’re barbecuing on the weekend. As good as I’m sure the chef here is, nothing beats the way Peg seasons her sliders. Which reminds me”—she placed her menu down on her bread plate—“Kellan, will you be joining us for Ashleigh’s birthday?”

  She almost choked on her beer and had to force it down, making her eyes water.

  “Oh, you must,” Granny continued. “The weather is supposed to be lovely. Peg’s going to cook up a storm. Stella and Siobhan will be coming with their boyfriends. It’s going to be a real party.”

  “Stella broke up with Blake,” Ashleigh said, taking a sip of her seltzer.

  “She did?” Peg was obviously surprised. “When?”

  “She doesn’t want to make a big deal of it. I’m sure she’s going to tell you the whole story. Let’s just say he was being a jerk.”

  “That guy’s always been a jerk in my book,” Bill added. “Such a know-it-all. I’m glad she’s done with him.” He sipped his beer in closure. “Anyway, three o’clock Saturday, Kellan. What kind of beer is that you’re drinking? I’ll make sure to have some on hand.”

  “Slow down, everybody.” Ashleigh halted the conversation with outstretched arms. “Easy with the strong-arming. For all we know, Kellan is busy.” She felt Ashleigh’s hand on her thigh giving it a reassuring squeeze before she turned to face her. “But if you’re free, I’d love it if you came.” Her smile was warm, and it took every ounce of restraint to avoid kissing her right at the table in front of her parents and grandmother, who would no doubt cheer in support anyway.

  “I would love that.” She gave her attention to the other three. “Thank you so much for the invite. Please tell me what I can bring.”

  “Nonsense,” Granny said. “Just bring yourself.”

  After they placed their dinner selections, Liam returned with an offer to show them the remodeled back courtyard. Granny and Bill and Peg jumped at the opportunity for the behind-the-scenes tour. She stayed put at the table with Ashleigh.

  “I’m sorry about my grandmother,” Ashleigh started. “She can be a bit heavy-handed.”

  “She’s fantastic. I do feel bad about your party, though. She kind of left you no choice in that one.” Kellan was ecstatic to be included, but she wanted to make sure Ashleigh was cool with it.

  Ashleigh’s hand was at the base of her neck, touching her buzzed hairline. “I’d like it if you were there. Unless…do you have other plans?”

  “I don’t. You know this.”

  “You always say that. But I don’t know if you make plans on days that I’m busy with my parents or Shauna.” Ashleigh’s finger dipped below her crewneck, drawing a lazy pattern on her skin. It was intimate and understated, but the effect it was having was not conducive to having to sit through dinner with the fam.

  “I don’t. I haven’t yet.” She reached for Ashleigh’s hand and took it away from her neck and brought it to her lips, sneaking a quick kiss on her knuckle while her family was still outside. “I love the way that feels, but it’s doing all sorts of things to me right now.” For the last half hour, she hadn’t stopped thinking about how she might be able to convince Ashleigh to go back to her place.

  “Is that so?”

  Ashleigh looked at her mouth and started to lean in, but the back door opened and her family reentered. Liam steered them to the wall of history—pictures of Ireland and his family, Park Slope in the middle of the century, some early shots of the bar from back in the day. Ashleigh sat all the way back in her chair, the moment gone, but she continued to hold Kellan’s hand under the table where they could still touch out of sight.

  “Can I see you tonigh
t?” Ashleigh asked.

  “Yes. Of course.” She breathed a sigh of relief that Ashleigh needed her too.

  “Stick around after dinner. I’ll walk these guys home, pack a bag, and meet you here.” Even if Ashleigh didn’t say the words, the spirit in her eyes said she’d missed Kellan in their time apart. Thank God, because she was practically in withdrawal. She didn’t even try for chill.

  “I can’t wait.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  “My parents could not stop talking about you the whole way home.” Ashleigh dropped her purse and her overnight bag on a chair in the corner. “My grandmother, forget it.”

  “Your family is awesome. Although I do feel bad they treated me to dinner.”

  “You didn’t think my dad was going to take money from you, did you?”

  “No, not really.” Ashleigh watched as Kellan filled Blue’s dinner bowl and gave him fresh water. “You will have to tell me what I can bring Saturday, though. I’m not showing up empty-handed.”

  “You’re cute.” She kicked off her strappy sandals and sat at the kitchen island just to be close to Kellan. Blue hopped up on the counter clearly expecting some love, and she rewarded him, happily petting his small head with both hands. “Hey, Blue.” She brought her nose close to his. “Did you miss me?”

  “Don’t be a hog, Blueberry.” Kellan placed the filtered water back in the fridge. “I missed her too. And I didn’t get any kisses yet.”

  As Kellan spoke, she came around the island, swiveled Ashleigh’s chair, and kissed her delicately on the lips. It was lovely and comfortable, but she wanted more. She reached one hand up behind Kellan’s neck and pulled her in for a deeper kiss. She spread her legs wide and found the waistband of Kellan’s jeans, hooking a finger through the belt loops to inch her closer. The kiss was thorough and perfect, and she felt herself react everywhere.

  “You missed me, huh?” she asked as Kellan kissed her face, her neck, her throat. She slid her hands under Kellan’s shirt, basking in the feel of her muscular body.