Picture Perfect Summer

by Marquita Valentine

  Before I know what’s happening, River’s skipping off, the lavender bow on the back of her white dress swinging. Butterflies explode in my stomach. What in the world is Duke’s momma going to say to me?

  Stay away from her son?

  I know you were the other woman while he was separated from his wife?

  Get out of my house?

  “How long are you planning on staying this time?” she asks.

  Yup, exactly like I thought... “Until I finish taking care of things for my parents.”

  “Is my son aware of your time line?” she asks.

  “Uh...”

  “I see.” She motions for me to follow her. I look around for Duke, but his back is to me, and it looks as though he’s in deep conversation with a man who has to be his brother. “Let me take you on a tour of the house.”

  I smile tightly. “Sounds lovely.”

  Jane Ellen laughs as we enter the house through a set of massive French doors. “I’m not kicking you out of the party, True.”

  “You mean to tell me that you only want to give me a tour of your very beautiful house?” It’s true, Jane Ellen’s taste in clothes and interior design has always been described as elegant and homey, according to my mother.

  “I’m thinking of a multi-purpose tour.” She holds out her hand. “This is the family room. We normally get together on Sunday evenings for game night. Entirely optional.”

  “That sounds fun.”

  “River’s favorite is Uno. Duke’s is Monopoly.”

  “What about yours?”

  “Apples to Apples.” She grins. “I like figuring out what makes people tick.”

  I can’t help but grin back at her. “Should we play it now?”

  Jane Ellen considers my question for a moment. “Perhaps we could play it next Sunday.”

  “You want me to come to family game night?” My voice cracks on the last word. My pulse races and not in a good way. “I think you might have the wrong impression of my relationship with your son.”

  “Is that so?”

  I nod emphatically. “Absolutely. We’re just old friends. Super, old friends who are reconnecting after a decade apart... in fact, he’s helping me with the move. Well, he offered to help, but we had an argument and these old memories resurfaced so I said I didn’t need his help and...” I clamp my mouth shut, then sigh. “I’m sure you know we had a relationship in the past, but that’s over now.”

  “That’s a shame.”

  “It is?” My nose scrunches. After my crazy blurt of a confession of sorts, I think she’d be happy that I think what Duke and I had is over.

  “It’s obvious my son thinks more of you than you do of him. As for River... she seems quite taken with you.”

  I swallow hard. “I’m not trying to hurt anyone.”

  Jane Ellen clasps her hands together, as if she’s praying for the right words or stopping herself from slapping some sense in me. “If I thought your intentions were malicious, you wouldn’t have stepped foot in this house. The simple fact is that this time, your relationship with my son involves a little girl who is hurting and confused—not over you, apparently, but with her biological mother.”

  “I fully support what Duke is doing with Laken. Besides, if you knew me at all, then you’d know that I would never come between River and Laken. Ever.”

  “That’s good to hear but I—”

  “But you should also know that if I did decide to have more than a friendly relationship with Duke and River that I wouldn’t allow anyone to come between us—adults, I mean. Of course River would have a choice. I’m not the girlfriend from the black lagoon.” Damn it. There goes my super statement of super conviction.

  “Girlfriend from the black lagoon?” Duke joins us, his arm going around my shoulders and pulling me to him. A good thing for him since I’m ready to bolt. “So you’re saying there’s a chance.”

  Jane Ellen’s brows rise. “I think she’s splitting hairs with the semantics of it all.”

  I laugh weakly, my mind spinning with the turn this conversation has taken, especially with what Duke overheard. “I was merely giving an example of things I would and would not do. That’s not an indication of the status of my relationship with your son.”

  Dear God, I sound like a pontificating idiot.

  “She would have made a great lawyer,” Jane Ellen says to Duke.

  “She’s an amazing teacher.” He pulls me closer, kissing my temple—of course because that’s what ‘only friends’ do with one another. “All of True’s students adore her. When she got a black eye from roller derby, they all worried over her, including the parents so much that True had to stop playing on the team.”

  “I’m right here.”

  “We know, honey,” Jane Ellen says with a wink. “Allow us the opportunity to discuss your finer points in front of you. Normally, this is done out of earshot.”

  “Yes ma’am,” I reply faintly.

  “She’s also a very dutiful daughter to come back to Royal Bay and set their house in order—literally—so it can be sold. Even if it was painful to come back here.”

  I glance up at Duke. Does he really mean what he says? Who am I kidding. Duke always says what he means.

  “She’s also a loyal friend who came to Laird’s memorial service.”

  “What?” Duke’s head whips around so fast that I’m stunned it doesn’t go flying across the room like a Frisbee. “You were here and didn’t speak to me?”

  Now he wants me to talk. My face heats. “It didn’t seem like the right thing to do.”

  His stormy blue eyes pierce my soul with the hurt that’s residing in them. “You should have sat with us.”

  “I sat where I needed to be.”

  “But I needed you,” he says roughly, then clears his throat. “I need to speak with True alone.”

  “I do believe Quinn needs my help. If you’ll excuse me.” Jane Ellen leaves the room, the click-click of her heels fading with each step.

  “There’s nothing to say. When Ophelia wrote to me, to let me what had happened and that there would be a service, I had to come. But I wasn’t here for you, not in that way. It wasn’t about me either. The memorial service was more important.”

  His gaze softens. “You’re not doing yourself any favors, Sunshine.”

  I shift my weight from one shoe to another. “Why is that?”

  “Because all you’re doing is reminding me that you’re still the same woman I fell in love with a decade ago.”

  Chapter 26

  True

  My back is aching and my shoulders are sore from moving boxes down from the attic, something that I neglected to hire movers to do because I’d forgotten about that part of the house.

  It’s been three days since I went with Duke to his sister’s reception, but in that time, he hasn’t let up on bombarding me with his presence, even if it’s only for an hour in the afternoon or for dinner with him and River.

  Yesterday, he surprised me with a real picnic lunch in my front yard while the painters took a break as well. He had theirs catered. If River hadn’t been at soccer day camp, I’m pretty sure she would have flipped over the tiny sandwiches and miniature surfboards made from chocolate he had made for dessert.

  As if he knows I’m thinking about him, my phone buzzes with a call from Duke. I don’t bother to let it ring that long either.

  “Hi.”

  “Are you free this afternoon?”

  I look around the house, at the mostly pristine condition it’s in. The cleaners will be here tomorrow, so there’s nothing more for me to do, once I inspect their work. “I think so.”

  “How do you feel about going fishing with River and me at Queens River?”

  “I feel like this is deja vu.”

  “Good repeat or bad repeat?”

  “A little of both,” I reply honestly. “You’re pressing me hard. I’ve barely had a chance to catch my breath.”

  “Maybe I want to leave you br
eathless.” He laugh is low, sending shivers down my spine. “River and I will be at your house in about twenty minutes.”

  “Bring—“

  “Already packed. I know how to take care of you.” He ends our call, and a small whimper escapes my throat.

  What in the world am I going to do with this man? It’s like he’s trying to recreate that perfect summer we had together, only this time there’s a kid, an ex-wife, and an entire family aware of my existence.

  *

  River sits in the seat behind me in Duke’s truck, talking a mile a minute. Something that I’m happy about because I’ve got nothing right—literally nothing to say and that will tip Duke off. Then he’ll want to talk about what’s bothering me, which means we’ll have to revisit the conversation of our relationship.

  I should have stayed home and cleaned the entire place myself.

  “Will you, True?” River says, pushing on my seat.

  “Huh? Sorry. I was lost in my thoughts.” I glance at Duke, who is too busy navigating his way down the bumpy, dirt road that leads Queens River.

  “Will you really be at game night on Sunday?” she repeats.

  “Your grandmother did invite me.”

  Duke slows the truck down, reaching out to squeeze my knee. “It’s optional. Don’t feel like you have to go.”

  “I feel like she has to go,” River says, earning a laugh from me.

  Turning slightly in my seat, I give her a look. “If my schedule permits, I’ll go.”

  “Teachers don’t have schedules in the summer. My daddy says they’re all on vacation.”

  “Does he now?” I slice my gaze to Duke. “What else did you say about teachers?”

  He tugs at his shirt collar. “That they are the hardest working, most underpaid people on the planet.”

  I cross my arms. “That’s better.”

  Finally, Duke parks the truck and we hop out, putting out our temporary camp supplies and canopy before we head to the edge of the river to fish. River grabs Duke’s hand, holding fishing poles with their free ones and propping them against their shoulders while he also carries a large bag with supplies. She’s so tiny walking next to him, while he’s the epitome of the protective dad, paying her the attention a child deserves from her father.

  My heart pinches at the sight and I take out my phone, sneaking a picture of them that I know I’ll have to have framed for him... and maybe even a copy for me.

  Stop this.

  They’re not yours.

  You’re only here for another week and then it’s time to leave. Alone.

  Suddenly, River turns around, an impatient look on her face. “Come on True. We’re waiting for you.”

  I grab my fishing pole and slip my phone into my back pocket. “Coming!”

  “Take my pole, please.” She gives it to Duke, then grabs my hand, swinging mine and Duke’s arms. My heart is a puddle right now, a gooey puddle made of love and wishes for a family I can’t have. “This is going to be the best day ever... Until my next birthday. I’ll be older, and True says that means I can watch Uncle Tate’s movies.”

  Duke side eyes me. “She did, huh?”

  “Actually, she left out the part about me being so much older that I can barely remember my name, and now that I think about it, you’re even older so I know you have no clue who we are.” I smile shamelessly. “Do you need help sitting on the ground, old man?”

  He shakes his head, one of his rare smiles pushing up the corners of his full lips. “You just wait.”

  I smirk. “Promises. Promises.”

  We stop on the bank of the river, Duke baiting our hooks for us. After casting our lines to the right, River plunges in the water, staying to the left while she searches for snails and tadpoles. I grab a blanket from the bag Duke carried, slip off my shoes, and spread the material out, then plop down on it, stretching out my legs and wriggling my bare toes.

  Duke hunts for snails and tadpoles with River until she spots a friend on the opposite bank and the little girls form their own team of explorers. With a wave to the family on the other side, he joins me, keeping one eye on the girls.

  “Guess I take second place to friends now,” he says.

  “Don’t worry. You’ll always be number one in her heart,” I assure him. “She’s such a daddy’s girl.”

  “Are you?”

  I nod. “Yup.”

  His hand inches closer to mine, until our pinky fingers are touching. “What do you like most about teaching?”

  “The vacation schedule,” I deadpan and his head is thrown back with the force of his laughter. “Seriously though, I love when a kid finally gets something. When the concept I’m teaching finally makes sense and this light comes on and the look on their face is one of they can do anything. No matter what they were born into, or what kind of family life they have, at that moment, they’re invincible.”

  “I missed you, True. So fucking much it still hurts. The shape of your smile is carved into my heart.”

  On the verge of tears, I focus on the girls playing in the water. My vision clouds over and I try to blink it away, but only succeed in making it worse. “Don’t... not today. Let’s just enjoy what we have.”

  “What do we have?”

  I place my hand over his and look at him, showing him as best I can that our connection is real, that my pain over the years was real, and I’m still raw from it. “This moment.”

  “It’s not enough.”

  “I know, but I’m not staying.”

  “You could.”

  I shake my head. “I don’t want to argue. I don’t want to fight.”

  “Say you’ll stay and we won’t.”

  I laugh through my tears. “What about the life I have in Scottsdale?”

  “Make one here.”

  “You make one in Scottsdale with me.”

  His gaze is unwavering. “Say the word, Sunshine, and I’ll pack my shit tonight.”

  My heart stutters. “What about River?”

  He sighs heavily. “I don’t think she’d mind.”

  I lean toward him, even as he looks away to check on his daughter and her friend, and place my hand on his scruffy cheek. Desire hits me so hard that I want to fall to the blanket and wrap myself up in him, but I can’t focus on that. I have to be selfless.

  “River deserves to live a life filled with love.”

  His eyes are stormier than ever before they close. He leans into my touch. “So do I.”

  “That’s not what I mean. River deserves to have a relationship with her mother.”

  “What do I deserve, True? To suffer? To continue to put everyone but myself first until I stop caring about what I need? What I want?” Duke’s jaw visibly clenches. “I’m done with being a hero. I want to be a man.”

  “You are a man, the very best of them. Any woman would be lucky to have you.”

  He gets up, tossing over his shoulder as he walks away. “Except for the one I want.”

  “Where are you going?”

  “I’m going to cool off in the water.” He pauses. “You’re welcome to join me.”

  I hesitate. “Are you sure about that?”

  “I might be down right now and willing to show you that vulnerability, but I’m not out, Sunshine. Not by a long shot.” He shoots me a confident smile. “I am a King, after all.”

  I’d like to say that the rest of the afternoon went by in a blur, but it didn’t. It was painfully, wonderfully slow as we fished, played in the water, and ate our weight in chicken salad sandwiches and grapes while Duke and I attempted to put our heart to heart behind us.

  I wish I could say that I didn’t enjoy one second of it, but I’d be lying.

  I wish I could say that I didn’t feel like I was part of Duke’s little family, but I’d still be lying.

  I wish I could have said that I loved him because that’s the honest truth.

  Only, to admit as much wouldn’t do either of us any good because in the end, I’m going back to
Arizona... without him.

  Chapter 27

  Duke

  It’s been a few days since we last spent time together, not only because she’s been busy putting the final touches on her childhood home, but also I’ve been slammed at work due to Barron’s increasing obligations as mayor of Castle Beach.

  Today, I have plans to show her exactly how far I’m willing to go in order to win her back.

  Yes, I asked True over under the guise of River wanting her to go surfing with us before we go to Momma’s for game night.

  Yes, I drove River to Momma’s right after breakfast so I can have some uninterrupted alone time.

  No, I won’t apologize for any of it.

  I meant what I said to True. I might be down, but I’m not out.

  No fucking way. Not ever again.

  “Hello?” True says, knocking on the front door. I left it open, but the screen door closed so I could hear her.

  “Back in the kitchen,” I call out and finish pouring two mimosas.

  She appears a couple of seconds later, golden brown hair in a topknot. She’s wearing a This is my Beach Face t-shirt and cut-off jeans. Her long legs are toned and tanned.

  “Here’s to Sunday mornings.” I take a glass to her and she accepts it, but her brows are furrowed.

  “Where’s River?”

  “She went to my mother’s house early.” I drink the mimosa down and wait for True to do the same, but she sets it on the counter and drops her large beach bag on the floor, eyeing me.

  “Did you plan this?” she asks, her stance wary. “I swear Duke...”

  “Are you afraid of spending time with me?”

  That gets her going. She cocks a brow, one hand fisting on her hip. “I’m not scared of you. I simply don’t like underhanded means to spend time with me.”

  “Are you saying that you would have come over had you known River wouldn’t be here?”

  She shifts her weight from one foot to the other. “No.”

  “No as in yes, or no as in no.”

  “As in I’m disappointed you feel a need to play games with me.”