Brooklyn Summer

by Maggie Cummings

  “Do you want to stay in Brooklyn because of her?”

  Kellan laughed—she couldn’t help herself. She looked right at Ashleigh, hoping her courage would hold up. “I’m staying for you. I love you. I know it hasn’t been long, but I never felt this way before. Never. Not with anyone. So I’m sorry if I’m saying it too soon, or not being chill about it, but this never happened to me before—”

  “Shut up.” Ashleigh held her face.

  “It’s just—”

  “Stop talking.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Stop apologizing and kiss me already.”

  Kellan leaned forward and met her lips, trying to put every ounce of what she was feeling into the small action.

  “I love you too, you know.”

  “You do?” Kellan grinned against her mouth.

  “You know it. You can’t even pretend.” Ashleigh scrunched her face in a fake grimace.

  “I hoped. I didn’t know.”

  “Well, now you do.”

  Kellan leaned in again, but this kiss lingered with the heat and emotion between them. Ashleigh was the first to pull away. She pressed their foreheads together, and Kellan felt her hand caressing the side of her face.

  “God, I was so worried I was the only one feeling it,” Ashleigh said, as she wiped a tear. “Thank you for saying it first. I love you, Kellan.” She kissed her again. “But I was so scared you didn’t feel the same way. And it’s so soon and it’s crazy. People are going to think we’re nuts.” She laughed as she smeared another tear away. “I don’t even care.”

  “So what do we do now?”

  “Now…” Ashleigh peppered her face with baby kisses as she spoke. “I go home and put in some face time with my family. You should come. They’d love to see you. Plus they’ll feed us.” Ashleigh looked her right in the eye. “We’ll make the rounds. Say hi to Liam.”

  “I like this plan.”

  “In a few days, we’ll head out east for Shauna and Mike’s wedding.” She scrunched her shoulders up, as if reveling in the thought. “And our own romantic getaway.”

  “I can’t wait.” It was the truth. Even though they hadn’t spent a night apart in weeks, something about a weekend away together felt like validation of their status.

  “But you’re not off the hook.” Ashleigh dotted a kiss on her nose. “Once we get back from Long Island, you’re going to get in touch with Dara and get your friendship back on track. You can be scared all you want. I’m here to help you any way I can.”

  Kellan kissed her with everything she had, hoping that Ashleigh would feel it as deeply as she felt it. “Did I tell you how much I love you?” she asked, pulling away slightly.

  “You did. But you can keep saying it. It honestly doesn’t get old.” Ashleigh stood up and pulled Kellan with her. “Come on. Let’s go see Bill and Peg McAllister. We can continue this lovefest later.”

  “You bet we can.”

  Chapter Twenty-one

  “What’s in the bag, bro?”

  Kellan hoisted her duffel onto a stool and leaned up against the bar, greeting Liam with a standard fist bump. “Clothes for the weekend. Shauna’s wedding is tomorrow. Ashleigh and I are planning to make a weekend of it.”

  “Nice.” Liam continued his bar chores. “I know it’s early, but do you want a drink or anything? Juice, iced tea? I actually just made a fresh pot of coffee.”

  “Nah, I’m good.” She looked around the empty bar. “I’m actually surprised you’re open this early.”

  “Technically, I’m not.” He laughed. “There’s always something that needs doing here. Since I live right upstairs, I spend most of my waking hours here. Mornings included.”

  “How is it going? You seem to keep a crowd most days.”

  Liam nodded, his pride in his business evident. “It’s going great. And you know, I know I talked about doing this, as like a dream of mine, but I wasn’t sure it would work or that I would like it.”

  “But you do?”

  “Dude, I freaking love it. It’s ten o’clock in the morning, and I’m down here by choice. How many people get to say that about their jobs?” He fiddled with a tap. “Anyway, I’m sure you didn’t come in here to hear me wax on about the bar business. What gives?”

  It was amazing how well he could read her. “So, you know that things with Ashleigh are going pretty good.”

  “I gathered. A weekend away and everything. That’s awesome.”

  Kellan smoothed the wooden lip of the bar to keep grounded. “I’m thinking of staying here for a bit. Like, even after my aunt gets back.”

  “No way. It’s that serious?”

  “It’s that serious.” She looked up at him, knowing it was absolutely true.

  “Holy shit.” Liam’s smile spread from ear to ear. “Wait. Is she…I mean, does she feel the same?”

  Kellan nodded. “Think so.”

  “This is fucking great.” He touched his fingers to his temples, clearly mind-blown, but in a good way. He scooted around the bar, waving her toward him. “Get the fuck over here and hug me already,” he ordered.

  “You got it, Sarge,” she said. His excited energy was contagious and she knew she was beaming as he hugged her tight.

  “This is the greatest news. So this means you’re going to stay in New York?” he asked.

  “For a little while. Until we see where this goes and figure it all out.” Kellan released from his embrace and hopped up on a stool. “That’s sort of why I’m here. I guess I was wondering if you had any shifts open. Bartending, waiting tables. Fuck, I’ll even clean your bathrooms. I have the pension check, but some extra cash would be key. If not, no big deal, I’ll find something.”

  “Dude, I have so much work here. Andy, my bar back, is going off to grad school in a few weeks. One of the other guys just gave notice because he’s getting ready to study for the Series 7, so he can be a stockbroker. Paul calls out every time he meets a new guy. Trust me, I have slots to fill.”

  “Are you sure? I don’t want to put you on the spot. I just figured it was worth asking.”

  “No. It’s done. You tell me when you’re ready, and I’ll put you on the schedule.”

  “Thanks, Liam.”

  “What are you doing about housing?”

  “I don’t know.” She let out a low laugh. “Sort of tackling one thing at a time.”

  “Well, it so happens I have the solution for that too.”

  Kellan raised her eyebrows, truly at a loss over where this might be headed.

  “Turns out, I live upstairs by myself, in a two-bedroom apartment.”

  “No, Liam, I couldn’t do that to you.” She was appreciative of the gesture but waved him off just the same.

  “Kell, rent around here is fucking astronomical. I literally have a spare bedroom. Bunk with me until you and Ashleigh figure your stuff out and see where it goes.”

  “I mean, if you’re sure?” She was overwhelmed with gratitude, but she truly didn’t want to overstep the boundaries.

  “Dude, would you do the same for me if the situation was reversed?”

  “In a heartbeat.” The answer was so natural, the words seemed to come out on their own.

  “Settled, then.” He zipped back around the bar. “I don’t know exactly what your plans are for the rest of the morning…” He let his sentence linger, and she knew he was waiting for her to fill in the blanks.

  “I was headed up to Ashleigh’s.” She gestured in the general direction with her chin. “She’s borrowing her parents’ car so we can drive out to the vineyards in Long Island. To the North Fork, whatever that means.” She smiled, pretty sure she knew where this was going.

  “Excellent. Can we please arrange for her to meet you here? Cause I’m going to need to hug her ASAP.”

  “Already on it,” Kellan said as she thumbed out the message to Ashleigh.

  * * *

  “Do you get stressed about school starting up?” Kellan asked.

 
After reaching Riverhead at one, they spent the afternoon hand in hand, window-shopping antique stores in the quaint town before checking in to the boutique hotel on the grounds of the winery where tomorrow’s nuptials would take place. Not that Kellan had any real expectations, but the venue was sheer beauty, the perfect mix of classic chic and rustic elegance, and she was thrilled to be outside exploring as the day faded into evening.

  “God, no. In case you hadn’t figured it out by now, I’m a huge nerd.”

  Kellan squeezed her hand. “Kinda dig that about you.”

  “You may not feel that way in a month. When I talk nonstop about curriculum and math club and class projects. Confession time,” she whispered. “I love school.” Ashleigh hooked her free hand through the crook of her elbow and pulled their bodies closer. “Now you,” she said.

  “Now me, what?” Kellan asked.

  “That’s my big secret. What’s yours?”

  “Ash.” Kellan dropped her voice a register, matching the serious tone as she brought her lips close to Ashleigh’s ear. “I don’t want to hurt your feelings, but that’s not a secret.”

  “I hate you.” Ashleigh pursed her lips, but the smile underneath came through.

  “Uh-uh. I don’t think you do,” she teased. She stopped walking and kissed Ashleigh sweetly. “I think you love me.” She held Ashleigh’s face in her hands and dotted soft kisses everywhere. “Which is perfect. Because I am so in love with you.” She found Ashleigh’s beautiful full lips and kissed her with everything she had. It was only when she pulled away that she noticed the sky behind them.

  “Turn around,” Kellan said as she took in the layers of pink, orange, lavender, and azure contrasting with the acres of green grapevines stretched out before them. “It reminds me of the night we went to Fire Island.”

  “What a night.” Ashleigh pointed to an ornate gazebo a few yards in the distance. “Let’s stop for a minute.”

  “Sure.”

  Kellan guided them up the worn wooden stairs and led them to the far edge of the pavilion where they could truly enjoy the view. She held Ashleigh from behind, as they silently watched the sky change color. Kellan was high on life, intoxicated by fresh air, the scent of summer, the fragrance of Ashleigh’s skin, her hair, her perfume, the very essence she’d grown so accustomed to in such a short time.

  “Look at those amazing colors.” Ashleigh caressed Kellan’s hands leaning the weight of her body against her torso.

  “Safe to say you’re more sunset than sunrise?”

  “You know, I don’t know,” Ashleigh answered, seeming to think about it on the spot. “Sunrise is beautiful. But there’s something romantic about a summer sunset.” She shrugged. “Although I wonder if I only think that now, because of you.” Ashleigh shifted position until their gazes met. “Can I ask you a question?”

  “Always.”

  “Best part of the summer?”

  “This, of course.” She hugged Ashleigh tighter.

  “I mean if you had to pick one day above all the others. What would it be?”

  “Fire Island.”

  “For real?”

  “Everything about that day was perfect. Start to finish.” She felt herself almost choke up at the memory. “Sometimes I still can’t believe you came over that night.” She kissed Ashleigh’s cheek.

  “I know.” Ashleigh closed her eyes, and Kellan wondered if she was reminiscing. “I was so nervous.”

  “Me too.”

  “You were not.” Ashleigh swatted her forearm playfully. “You were all big dick energy, full of swagger.”

  “Guess it’s a good thing I came through on that front.” She buried her smile in the crook of Ashleigh’s neck, delighting in the playfulness of their affectionate moment, so perfectly representative of their blossoming relationship.

  “You’re so bad.” Ashleigh shook her head, but Kellan heard sheer pleasure in her tone.

  “I’m just kidding.” Kellan felt suddenly serious. “Honestly, the crazy part about all of this—everything—is that I never felt nervous. Or uncomfortable. Or like I need to be anything other than what I am.”

  “Is that new?”

  “I know it sounds dramatic, but it is true. I’m so myself with you. Since right from the very beginning. No pretense, no nothing. I think that’s why it all happened so quickly for me. Well, aside from the fact that you’re amazing and sweet and smart. And thankfully willing to settle for me.”

  Ashleigh turned around and faced her. “I’m not settling, though. That’s just it. I didn’t expect this to happen either. When things went south with Reagan”—she fingered a button at the top of her shirt—“I just assumed I would never find anything like it again. And I didn’t, if I’m being honest.” Ashleigh made eye contact again. “What we have is light years from that. That’s not a dig at Reagan or our marriage. It’s more…I didn’t know what I wanted, what I really needed, until you. I don’t walk on eggshells with you, and I don’t worry that you’ll judge me or leave me, or keep things from me. I think I’m the best version of me when I’m with you. It’s like I didn’t even know this person was in here.”

  When they kissed, Kellan let her touch linger for a second. She was more than turned on by the conversation, the company, the gorgeous woman in her arms. Ashleigh moaned into her mouth, and Kellan knew she was feeling it too, but they were dressed for dinner with reservations at the on-site restaurant in a scant few minutes.

  “We should go to dinner,” she said, knowing her eyes revealed the real hunger she felt.

  “Okay.” Ashleigh sucked her lower lip in, a move that was pure seduction. “But don’t hold back. I’m going to need you at peak energy later.”

  “Roger that.”

  * * *

  “I didn’t even tell you the best part of my conversation with Liam.” Kellan speared a julienned carrot from her entrée.

  “I thought working down the block from where I live was the best part,” Ashleigh countered.

  Kellan didn’t fight the grin she felt spreading. “This kind of goes hand in hand with that.” She took a small bite and chewed quickly, ready to drop the news. “In addition to hooking me up with a job, Liam offered me a place to stay for a while.”

  “Oh my God, you’ll be living with Liam?” Ashleigh put down her fork. “That’s like steps from my parents’.”

  “I know.” She paused wanting to assess Ashleigh’s reaction. “Too close?”

  “Not at all.” Ashleigh took a sip of her drink and her eyes danced in the dim restaurant light. “I actually think it’s perfect,” Ashleigh continued. “I’ll get to see you a lot.” She smiled. “I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to having wondered what we were going to do if you were crashing with your aunt and I was living with my parents.”

  “Look at you. Only interested in one thing,” she teased.

  “You know that’s not true.” Ashleigh froze, her fork hovering over her plate. “You do know that, right?”

  She knew it. Without a doubt, she knew it. “Of course I do.” She tossed Ashleigh a wink. “I was just playing with you.”

  “Playing with me, huh?” Ashleigh reached over the small table and took Kellan’s hand. She glanced around, perhaps to make sure they didn’t have an audience, before she guided Kellan’s hand along her thigh under her dress. “If you really want to play with me…” Ashleigh’s expression was enough to get her going, but she seemed intent on raising the stakes. She spread wider and Kellan followed the heat emanating from between her legs. “I’m going to be all yours. So soon.”

  Kellan let her fingers graze over Ashleigh’s center, feeling how wet she was already. Her heart pounded at the sensation that was only heightened by the full flush of color in Ashleigh’s face. Ashleigh’s eyelids hung heavy and her lips parted slightly.

  “We should get going.” Ashleigh’s voice was breathy and hot. “You think?”

  “Yeah.” Kellan was hard and throbbing and dying to be inside Ashleigh. “Let me just gr
ab the check,” she managed to say.

  “While you do that, I’m going to run to the ladies’ room.”

  Kellan couldn’t take her eyes off Ashleigh as she walked the length of the restaurant to the restroom. Tonight was going to be off the hook. She scanned the floor for their server, finally making eye contact after he delivered cocktails to a nearby couple. Waiting for the bill, she closed her eyes and rolled her neck, trying to temper the anticipation.

  Ashleigh returned in the middle of her stretch, placing a hand softly on her shoulder, and she bent down to kiss her cheek delicately. “These are for you,” she said as she dropped something in her lap.

  “What’s—” Kellan started to examine the item before realizing the teensy bit of black fabric was Ashleigh’s panties. Holy fuck. “Um, Ash…did you…are these…are you…” She couldn’t even make a sentence.

  Ashleigh drew in her bottom lip and nodded. “Ready?”

  Hell, yeah, she was ready. Ready. Willing. Able. Jacked. Also smitten, swooning, and head over heels in love…just in case anyone was keeping score.

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Ashleigh took out her phone and snapped a few stills of the arched trellis where Mike and Shauna had exchanged vows less than twenty minutes earlier. While the bride and groom were having official wedding photos taken, she wanted a few keepsakes of her own. She already had an idea for a Christmas gift for Shauna, and the more images she grabbed, the better. Last year, in the midst of her divorce, she’d dreaded this day. Out of the blue she found herself idly wondering if she’d ever get married again. Three months ago, she would have vowed never. But that was before the summer, before Kellan. Now, she wasn’t so quick to dodge the idea. She spied Kellan at the bar getting their drinks and snuck a candid in her dapper wedding attire.

  “You should let me take a picture of you two together, when Kellan gets back over here. You’re a great looking couple.”

  Reagan’s voice next to her took her by surprise more so than the compliment itself. She’d been so caught up in her own weekend she’d actually forgotten all about Reagan and Josh being guests.