The Heat of Summer

by Melissa Tereze

  “Prue—”

  “Perhaps I came on too strong, I don’t know. And I know, I know I’m old enough to be your mother, but from the moment I saw you, I wanted to ask you here.” Prue lowered her eyes, aware that this speech was a waste of time. “I wanted to ask you on a date. Show you around the town. Just…know you.” She took Summer’s hand, squeezing it. “I’m really so very sorry for flirting and saying things you didn’t wish to hear. It won’t happen again, I promise.”

  A taxi rumbled to a stop outside the gate, the headlights illuminating Prue and Summer.

  “I’ve asked reception to call me when you’re back at the hotel safely.”

  “That’s sweet.” Summer wanted to argue that everything Prue had just said was wrong, but she didn’t know where to begin. Of course she wanted Prue’s flirtatious side. If she was being honest, she wanted it more now that she’d been on the receiving end of it. This though, it was new to Summer. It would take her some time to adjust. She wanted to ask Prue to bear with her, but Prue didn’t strike her as the type of woman to wait around for someone indecisive.

  “Maybe.” Prue shrugged. “I guess I’ll see you around.”

  “I should continue to look for somewhere to live, shouldn’t I?”

  “That is entirely your own decision.” Prue opened the gate. “My offer is still there if you want it.”

  “Goodnight, Prue.” Summer sighed, the slightest of smiles gracing her mouth. “It’s been great.”

  “Not good enough,” Prue mumbled, unaware that Summer had heard it.

  “It was perfect, really.” Summer released Prue’s hand, allowing it to fall to her side. Leaning up, almost on her tiptoes, Summer pressed a kiss below Prue’s ear. “You didn’t make me feel uncomfortable. I promise.”

  Without another word, Summer slipped between the gap in the gate and glanced back, climbing into the back of the taxi. Offering Prue one final smile, the taxi backed out of the drive, disappearing down the hill and towards the strip.

  Prue sighed, the gate slamming shut as she released it from her grip. Summer had certainly made her feel a certain type of way, that kiss leaving her skin on fire. A simple kiss…that meant so much more than any other ever had. A younger woman who left Prue feeling invigorated whenever she was in her company. Regardless of what the future held, Prue knew one thing was for sure: she was in big trouble. The worst.

  5

  Summer applied lotion to her thighs, dropping the bottle to the floor beside her lounger and relaxing back. She’d spent the last three days debating on her move to Prue’s place. Before they shared dinner a few nights ago, she had it all planned out. She was going to accept the offer and truly begin her life here in Tías. Then Prue said the things she did as she was leaving and now, she didn’t know what to do for the best. Not just for herself, she wasn’t that selfish, but for Prue too. It was clear that something was brewing between them, neither could deny that, but there had been some truth to what Prue had said. She was old enough to be Summer’s mother. As much as Summer wanted to pursue Prue, she wondered how everyone else around them would take it. It didn’t matter to Summer, she had no family back home, but she had to take Prue and her family into consideration. Her brother, the kids…how would they react to a significantly younger woman appearing in their sister and aunt’s life? Chances were, it wouldn’t be a positive outcome.

  “You’ve been here a while now…” a soft, sweet voice appeared beside Summer.

  “Oh, um.” Summer squinted as the sun blinded her before dropping her glasses over her eyes.

  “And you’re here alone.”

  “I am, yes.” Summer sat up, bringing her knees to her chest. “Your name?”

  “Katy.” The young brunette smiled. “You?”

  “Summer.”

  “A few of us girls are going out tonight. We wondered if you’d like to join us?” Katy motioned towards her friends sitting at the other side of the Jacuzzi. “Nothing too ambitious. Just a few cocktails and some food.”

  “Oh, I don’t know.” Summer eyed the girls through her aviators. “I’m not really much into the party scene.”

  “No, me neither.” Katy took it upon herself to take a seat on the edge of Summer’s lounger. “You can keep me company while that lot do shots.”

  “Sure, okay.” Summer figured it would be best to have a night out, however uneventful it would be. Katy seemed nice, her friends too as they waved her way, so why not let her hair down just this once. “What time?”

  “I think they want to head out around eight.” Katy shrugged. “I could meet you in the bar here earlier though if you wanted?”

  “Yeah, okay.” Summer nodded. “Why not?”

  “Okay, well if I’m not there, I’m in room 106,” Katy said. “But I will be there. I promise.”

  “Brilliant. See you all tonight.” Summer smiled as Katy stood and rounded the end of her sun lounger. A small wave from her and Summer lay back down, her eyes immediately finding the balcony they always drifted to.

  Prue was sitting out, a book in her hands. Summer felt her eyes on her, but this wasn’t the time or the place to contemplate why Prue was still at the complex. Did she need to be here? She had a villa down the road. A villa that was complete paradise. Prue’s brother had clearly left for the UK, so to Summer, this didn’t make sense.

  Choosing to forego the questions in her own head, Summer rolled onto her stomach, shifted until she was comfortable, and closed her eyes. Whatever Prue’s reasons for being here…they were none of Summer’s business.

  Summer made her way into reception, fifteen minutes to spare before she met with Katy. She didn’t plan to make it a late night, the idea of a hangover less than appealing to her, but she would try to enjoy herself. With her best friend back in the UK and a woman on her mind, it would be difficult—she knew that. It didn’t stop her from looking forward to dinner with potential new friends though, even if she did only have three nights remaining at the hotel.

  She approached the desk.

  “Good evening.” Vivian smiled, her black blazer fitting her impeccably. “May I help you?”

  “Yes. I’m supposed to check out on the fifteenth,” Summer said. “Would it be possible to extend my stay for another week?”

  “Oh.” Vivian scrambled to her keyboard, tapping away at the keys. “The end of August is a busy time for us. Let me see if I can find something for you.”

  “You know, it’s okay.” Summer sighed. “Don’t worry, I’ll find something else.”

  “Please, give me a moment.” Vivian pleaded, her black-rimmed glasses framing her face. “I’m sure we can work something out for you.”

  Summer glanced at her watch. “I can come back in the morning if that would be easier for you?” As much as Summer didn’t want to disrupt the timetable of the hotel, she really didn’t know where else to turn. “Or check out as planned.”

  “Vivian,” A familiar voice bellowed through the air, heels clicking on the marble flooring of the reception. “See that Miss Hastings stay is extended. She is to remain in the suite.”

  “Y-Yes, Miss Michaels,” Vivian stuttered. “Of course.”

  “I really don’t want to cause any problems.” Summer chose to focus on Vivian. “If the room isn’t available, there is nothing you can do about that.”

  “It is!” Prue said. “Another week. No problem.” Prue turned on her heel, disappearing out towards the bar area.

  “Vivian,” Summer started. “I’m going to come back in the morning. You look busy. I don’t want to be any trouble.”

  “Nonsense. Miss Michaels has confirmed your stay. There will be nothing else to deal with.” Vivian cleared her throat. “Gracias.”

  “You’re sure?” Summer offered a sympathetic smile.

  “The suite is yours.”

  Summer nodded, silently thanking the receptionist for extending her stay. Heading for the bar, she found no sign of Katy, her watch still displaying that she was ten minutes early. Summe
r lifted herself up onto a bar stool and caught the waiter’s attention.

  “Sí?”

  “Oh, um…rum and coke, please.” Summer received a bill for her drink, signing her name which would charge it to her room. Receiving her drink just moments later, she took a long sip, for once enjoying the burn as it slid down her throat. Summer had a blow out once, perhaps twice a year. Tonight could be one of those times, but she wouldn’t allow it. It wasn’t worth the wasted day that would follow.

  A clearing of the throat brought Summer from her thoughts. “Did Vivian sort everything out for you?”

  Summer turned, Prue’s eyes nothing like they once were. “Yes, she did.”

  “Good.” Prue turned to leave. “Enjoy your evening at the hotel.”

  “Prue?” Summer gripped her wrist. “Is everything okay?”

  “Everything is always okay.” Prue smiled half-heartedly, her eyes fixed on Summer’s gorgeous face for fear of them ogling her thighs in her short-cut denims. “I’ll go. Your date will be arriving any moment now.”

  “My date?” Summer laughed. “I don’t have a date…”

  “Room 106? She has different ideas.”

  “Are you keeping a check on everything I do?” Summer scoffed. “It’s a little weird, Prue.”

  “No, not at all.” Prue should have been offended by Summer’s question, but she struggled to be offended by anything this woman said. “I overheard them heading to their room earlier, is all.”

  “And what did they say?”

  “Nothing.” Prue shook her head. “Goodnight, Summer.”

  “No.” Her grip remained on Prue’s wrist. “I want to know.”

  “She was…admiring you.” Prue couldn’t blame her guest for doing so; she’d spent the entire morning and afternoon doing the same thing from behind her sunglasses. “Appreciate it. Go with it.”

  “Why were you here today?” Summer asked, removing her hand from Prue’s wrist. “Your brother left, no?”

  “I was here because it’s my job to be here!” Now, now, Prue. Don’t turn into the bitch the world knows you are. “Sorry.” She held up her hand. “I have to go.”

  “I don’t know what to do.” The words suddenly fell from Summer’s mouth.

  “About what?”

  “Your offer.”

  Prue’s features softened. “I won’t be offended if you decide not to take me up on it.”

  “That’s the thing, though.” Summer ran her fingers through her short blonde hair. “I do want to take it.”

  Prue shrugged. “Then take it.”

  “Tomorrow is Sunday.” Summer nodded. “Can I come by on Monday if you don’t have any plans?”

  “I will be at home on Monday.” Prue heard footsteps approach. “I’ll be home all day. Come by whenever you want. If it’s what you want.”

  “It is.”

  “Then I will see you on Monday.” Prue glanced over her shoulder. “And good luck…tonight.”

  “I’ll be home within a few hours.” Summer laughed, shrugging. “If you hadn’t noticed, drinking isn’t really my thing.”

  “Just…be careful, okay?”

  “I will…”

  Summer slumped down into her seat, her chest heaving from the excessive dancing so far this evening. Was this really all people believed there was to life? Alcohol and bars? Drinking and dancing until a ridiculous hour? Okay, it wasn’t that late…ten-thirty in the evening, but Summer could think of a million and one other things she could be doing right now. Watching a movie. Reading a book. Pouring bleach into her eyes. The latter sounded more appealing than her night so far.

  Katy hadn’t left her side—the constant attention becoming overbearing—but Summer would be calling it a night soon, so it didn’t matter. Katy’s friends were pleasant, your average British girls on a week-long holiday, but something about Katy felt off. She was too full-on. Taking Summer’s hand unnecessarily. Wrapping her arm around Summer’s shoulders whenever she was close enough. It was off-putting and enough to deter Summer from ever going looking for love again.

  She sipped a bottle of water, enjoying the ice-cold sensation as it travelled down her throat. Katy was eyeing her from across the dancefloor, the rest of her friends screaming and laughing at whatever they could entertain themselves with. Summer rolled her eyes, internally chastising herself for ever agreeing to this night out. She didn’t know these people, and they weren’t her kind, so why had she taken Katy up on her offer?

  I’m here to take my mind off Prue. Summer closed her eyes momentarily, her mind familiarised with Prue’s features. If she focused, she could see Prue. Her smile. She could hear her voice, not always at a tone Summer would like it to be. When she opened her eyes again, Katy was sitting beside her, staring.

  “Um, everything okay?” Summer shifted her seat slightly away.

  “Perfect.” Katy smiled, clearly drunk. “You know, I was too scared to ask you outright on a date earlier.”

  “Oh.” Summer smiled awkwardly. “Well, never mind…”

  “But I think I’m feeling good about the potential.” Katy’s hand slid to Summer’s thigh. “You’re in the suite, right?”

  “I am.”

  “So…am I coming back with you tonight?” Katy leaned closer, now seriously interfering with Summer’s personal space. “I mean, we both know why I invited you.”

  “Funny, since I was under the impression you were just inviting me out with you lot.”

  “I-I was…but I had other plans,” Katy said, leaning towards Summer’s ear. “You’re single, right?”

  “Yeah.” Admitting that saddened Summer. Prue had been there…right in front of her, but she continuously backed away. So much so that Prue was apologising for a slight flirtation during dinner the other night. Summer could have put Prue’s mind at ease, explaining how she had no reason to apologise, but instead…she thanked her for a lovely night and left Prue with nothing. No matter how much she needed to go slow—to process—the flirting with Prue had felt so good, it frightened Summer. “But that doesn’t mean I’m looking.”

  “Oh, come on!” Katy laughed. “You’re here alone. You can’t surely want it to remain that way.”

  “I’m quite happy alone, thanks.” Summer scoffed. “But I do have my eye on someone, so…”

  “Who?” Katy frowned. “Someone at the hotel?”

  “Maybe.” Summer smiled, the vision of Prue in her bikini clouding her mind. “She’s always there. Every minute of every day.”

  “Always were?”

  “Just…there for me,” Summer said. “She’s been great. She doesn’t even know me, and she’s helped me out. More than I think she realises.”

  Katy had a strange look of concern in her eyes. One that was confusing Summer no end. “You mean, always there like she’s stalking you?”

  “What? No.” Summer laughed. “Not like that at all.” Katy had no idea what Summer was talking about—she was too drunk to. “She owns the hotel.” Summer lowered her voice. “You must have seen her around.”

  “Dark hair. Thinks she’s gorgeous?” Katy rolled her eyes. “Way too old for you?”

  “Can’t possibly be talking about the same person.” Summer shook her head. She’d been foolish to reveal what her heart wanted to Katy; she didn’t know her. Right now, Summer wished she did have someone close by who she could confide in. It would certainly help matters regarding Prue. “Doesn’t sound anything like her.”

  “That’s a lie.” Katy snorted. “She’s who you were talking to when I arrived at the bar. And now the snarling I received makes sense.”

  Sounds like Prue. Summer smiled. “I’m sure she didn’t.”

  “Oh, she did.” Katy turned in her seat, relaxing back. “And you’d rather run around after her…”

  “You’re great, Katy,” Summer lied. “But I’m not looking. It has nothing to do with anyone other than myself. I just didn’t come here for a relationship.”

  “That doesn’t mean you can’
t have one…”

  “I don’t want one.” Summer finished her water, climbing from her seat. “I think I’m going to head back to the hotel. Thanks for a great night, though.”

  “One more drink,” Katy pleaded, her eyes begging Summer. “Then I’ll walk you back. I promise.”

  “I can walk alone, it’s okay.”

  “I really don’t want you to do that.” Katy shook her head, standing to meet Summer’s height. “All kinds of weirdos out there.”

  “Fine, okay. One more drink…”

  Prue relaxed back on her sun lounger, wrapping a throw around her shoulders. The clock had just struck midnight, the temperature had dropped, and the common wind on the island has strengthened. Prue often sat out alone late at night—it was the only time when she didn’t have a million thoughts running through her mind. The darkness, it was a comfort. It reminded her of the days before business ventures. The days when she would finish her shift, no sign of calls or responsibility once she’d clocked off. Prue loved her life—it had been everything she’d dreamed of in the years leading up to her take-over of the hotel—but she missed love. She wouldn’t admit to that, as that would require her to show a softer side, but she did. She missed love more than anything else.

  Sarah, her ex-girlfriend, had always supported Prue in everything she did. The late nights working through figures, Sarah would appear behind her, a bite to eat and drink in her hands. She never complained. She never demanded Prue lay off the work for the weekend. She persevered. Prue would always be thankful for that. What she couldn’t be thankful for was the way in which Sarah left. Prue returned home from a business trip one weekend ten years ago, to find Sarah packing her belongings. There had been no fight, no words exchanged previously, but Sarah was leaving. The reason…another woman had swept her off her feet. Prue received the ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ speech, but it still didn’t make sense. As the days passed, Prue realised she had given Sarah everything, except for the two things she really wanted: love and a little attention.