Echoes of Summer

by Bastian, Laura D.

  She turned her head down toward her laptop, but from the corner of her eye, she saw Stephen’s large frame and looked back up, excited to see him. Before he reached her door, he raised his eyes to look at Carrie who’d turned around and moved back to join him.

  “Anything you need help on this week?” Carried asked.

  Stephen shook his head. “Can’t think of anything. Now that Madison’s back, we’ll pick up where we left off and get the proposal ready.”

  He turned to Madison’s door and walked in, not bothering to knock this time, probably since she was watching him.

  “Hey, Madison. Good to see you back.” He moved into the office and picked up a candy.

  Madison smiled smugly.

  “Looks like Grandma’s soup did the trick.”

  Madison nodded. “Thanks. It was just as good as I remember it.”

  Stephen smiled. “I’ve got skills.” He blew on his fingers and rubbed them on his chest. “You up for meeting at three still? We’ll go over the pitch for this Wednesday.”

  She nodded and swallowed. “Sure. Three’s good.” She looked at her laptop. “I have a few things to take care of, but Carrie was thorough while I was gone.”

  “Carrie’s pretty impressive.” Stephen glanced behind him toward the door. “Mr. Carlson has a great staff here. I’ll be sad to leave it when the time comes.”

  Madison frowned at the reminder. Of course he planned on leaving still. “I’ve got to make some phone calls. I’ll see you at three.”

  Stephen nodded and grabbed another Butterfinger before walking out of her office.

  Chapter Eighteen

  When Stephen reached Madison’s door at three, he paused before knocking. Her shoulders were slumped, and she stared at the picture of Milo as if not really focused. She looked up and caught him watching her. Madison’s expression went from lost in thought to surprise to what he hoped wasn’t actually sadness.

  Every time she looked at him, he felt like she only remembered the bad things. He needed to find a way to bring out the good or at least distract her from her memories. “So tell me what your thoughts are for the Sharston account.”

  Madison blinked a few times then looked down at her laptop then back up at him. “I hadn’t really planned much more than what we’d discussed last week.”

  Stephen nodded. “It’s a great start, but I was kinda busy this past week working on another potential client and didn’t think much on it myself either. Maybe we should build off what you’ve started.”

  He placed his laptop on the desk and left it closed, forcing her to pull up all the files she had. She could do this one on her own. And though his ideas on this one would have been good, he knew he could steer her toward them as they worked.

  Madison kept her attention on her laptop, rarely even glancing at him, and though the constant rejection kind of stung, he knew it was for the best. He wouldn’t force himself on her anymore. And being the good person she was, she would still let him be a part of Milo’s life. For that he would be forever grateful.

  Yet as she worked and they discussed the pitch, the easy way they had of talking came back. She became animated as he complimented her on her ideas, and she seemed to open up again. He met her eyes, and when she gave him a genuine smile, he felt his heart knot just a little.

  She would be the end of him one way or another.

  ***

  Madison couldn’t believe how easy and comfortable the afternoon with Stephen had gone. They’d finalized the proposal for the Sharston account, and he’d never once shot down one of her ideas. Sure, he’d tweaked them a little, adding some of his own flair, but this proposal would come mostly from her.

  He’d been close enough for the last hour that she had become used to his cologne, but every once in a while, he would move a little, and a whiff of the masculine scent would surprise her. She longed to lean against him and see if it was on his shirt or only on his neck. She could feel the warmth of his skin even though they weren’t touching, and it was driving her crazy.

  As a teen, she would have done anything to touch him, lightly brush up against him, slide her chair closer, playfully push his arm; but here in the office, she didn’t feel right about that. And she’d gone so long holding back any kind of physical desire. At first she hadn’t wanted anyone but Stephen; then after Milo was born, and she was responsible for all his needs and constantly touched by the infant, she didn’t think being touched by anyone else would ever be welcome. But now she longed for the comforting touch of another human.

  Someone not her family.

  Someone who could hold her softly, gently, yet make her ache with longing and then help fill that need. She glanced out of the corner of her eye at Stephen and turned her head to find him watching her as well.

  As their eyes met, Stephen leaned closer, and Madison felt herself moving toward him. He lifted his hand to push her hair behind her ear. She held still, allowing the touch of his fingers to slide gently over her skin, then he brushed his fingers across her jawline.

  Shivers went down her right side all the way to her toes. His hand rested against her cheek, and she leaned into it, reveling in the comfort it gave. He didn’t pull his hand back, but she slowly straightened her head and met his eyes. The openness of his expression was enough to startle her. Had she read his interaction with Carrie wrong? Could he possibly find her attractive? Madison closed her eyes, shaking her head slightly in disbelief, then immediately opened them when he pulled his hand away.

  He must have come to his senses because he lowered his hand and cleared his throat. Madison adjusted her shirt, even though there was nothing wrong with it, besides the fact it gave her something to do.

  Stephen cleared his throat. “You’ve got a great pitch outlined here. I think we could go over it just before the meeting Wednesday, unless you’d like to meet again tomorrow at three.”

  Madison couldn’t tell what he wanted, but with the way he’d pulled back and the way she was reeling from what had almost happened — or what she wanted to happen — maybe it would be best for them to stay far from each other.

  He was leaving sometime. And he’d just made it clear he really didn’t want her. At least she hadn’t thrown herself at him, and it had only been an innocent touch.

  “I do have a few things to take care of that Carrie didn’t have time for. We can just go over this on Wednesday morning. I’ll let you take care of your other projects tomorrow with no interruption.”

  Stephen nodded and stood up. He slowly moved around the desk without grabbing one of her candies as usual. “I’ll see you Wednesday then.”

  Just before he got out the door completely, Madison remembered her plan to invite him to dinner. “Stephen, wait.”

  He turned around, his face full of expectation.

  “Milo wanted me to invite you to dinner. He didn’t get a chance to show you his Legos when you came over while we were sick.” Madison knew she was using him as the excuse, but she really did want to have Stephen over for dinner.

  Stephen looked at the floor, not meeting her eyes for a moment, and Madison wished she’d never said a thing. He didn’t want to come.

  “Sure, I’d love to see Milo. How about you text me the details?” He smiled and left the office.

  Madison let her head droop.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Stephen was glad the pitch with the Sharston representatives had gone well. Going to her house for dinner after a bad pitch would have been a little uncomfortable. At least this way, they could talk about work and keep the conversation light if needed. He’d brought another small Lego set, one he thought would be a good addition to Milo’s collection, and if he happened to have it already, the pieces would be valuable as additional building materials.

  Stephen knocked on the door, happy to see it was Milo who answered again. Madison was fully dressed and standing behind him a few feet. That was unfortunate, since she had looked extra lovely in just the towel. Milo stepped back and mot
ioned for Stephen to come in. Stephen pulled one package from behind his back, almost worried to meet Madison’s eyes, but he handed it to Milo. “Just a little gift for the host. You know, it’s tradition to bring a gift when invited for the first time.”

  Madison raised her eyebrows. “This isn’t the first time you’ve been here.”

  “True,” Stephen said. “But it is the first time I didn’t invite myself.” He pulled his other hand from behind his back and presented the potted orchid. The white blossoms were speckled with a deep pink, and the curved stem was loaded with more than six of them. “And for the hostess.”

  Madison gasped in surprise. “They’re lovely.” She reached for them as he cupped the ceramic dish in his other hand to steady it. As she took the pot from him, she met his gaze. “Thank you. They really are beautiful.”

  He wanted to say they weren’t nearly as beautiful as she was, and part of him longed to pluck one of the blossoms and tuck it behind her left ear to show the world she was taken, but she had already turned, taking them farther into the room. Milo had pulled the Lego box out of the gift bag and was over the top in his excitement.

  “I wanted this one. Thanks, Stephen.” He looked up at Stephen then smiled. “I mean, Dad.”

  Stephen roughed up Milo’s hair. “My pleasure, kiddo. Glad you like it. And maybe you’ll let me use it sometimes.”

  “Yeah, that would be cool.” Milo moved over to the little coffee table in the center of the room, the same one where Madison had placed the orchid. He knelt to the side of it and started to open the box, then stopped and looked at Stephen, then his mom. “Can I open this?”

  “Sure,” Stephen said at the same time Madison said, “Wait till after dinner.”

  Stephen blanched at the look Madison gave him, but then she glanced at her clock. “I guess it still needs a few minutes to finish cooking. But you’ll put it down when dinner’s done. Got it?”

  Milo nodded. “Got it.” He looked at Stephen. “Will you open this, and I’ll run grab you one to play with?”

  Stephen smiled. “Sure.” He took the package from Milo as the kid rushed from the room. Stephen looked up at Madison. She didn’t say anything but looked at the package for a minute then turned to the kitchen as Milo returned.

  They played for a few minutes, and Stephen grinned at some of the conversations Milo initiated between their little action figures, but it was hard to keep his attention on the toy when he could see Madison alone in the kitchen doing the finishing touches on the meal.

  Stephen looked at Milo and knew the kid was so engaged in his own imagination about building the set that Stephen put his hands on the coffee table to help push himself up. “I’m going to go see if your mom needs any help with dinner or the table, okay?”

  Milo nodded and continued playing. Stephen silently approved of the way the kid could keep himself entertained, but he knew how lonely it was to be an only child, even with a ton of cousins. He hoped Milo would be all right. Stephen made his way to the kitchen and caught a glimpse of Madison dancing to the music on her little radio tucked under the cabinet.

  Her back was to him, and she wiggled a little to the rhythm, bobbing her head to the beat. She moved with such grace, even in her halfhearted dance attempt. He thought back to the dances he’d attended in King during the Fourth of July celebrations. There weren’t a lot of entertainment options there, so the dances during that holiday had been a big deal, and over the years, he’d come to enjoy them. Especially the last one, since he’d danced every dance with Bea. It was hard to reconcile the two women into one. All memories of her from the past were flavored with her small-town roots and her deep love of simplicity and home.

  Here, known as Madison, she was a much different person, poised and completely in control, but glimmers of her former self broke through at times, and he longed to have that woman back, the one he’d fallen so hard for, and the one who had opened herself up to him completely, sharing all her hopes and dreams and desires. Yet the woman in front of him was wonderful and amazing in her own right.

  A fully grown woman, assured of herself, capable of so much. Tough, when she needed to be, but soft and gentle with her son. She continued to sway to the music as she stirred the pot on the stovetop, and Stephen ignored the little voice that told him to stay back and watch. He slid up next to her, quietly and as gently as possible, so as to not startle her. She stiffened for a moment in surprise, but when he tugged her away from the stove and placed his hand on the small of her back, she didn’t protest. He took the hand still holding the spoon in his and did a small spin with her pulled in close to him.

  Stephen glanced at the stove to make sure the heat on the pan wasn’t too hot then deftly took the spoon out of her hand and slipped it into the pot as he passed the range and swayed with her to the song. Madison giggled as he moved her around the floor in a firm embrace, but not too close.

  Oh, how he wanted to be with her, to have the freedom to do this every night, followed by more than just dancing. He spun her around again as the music changed tempo then pulled her close and pressed one hand against her back while holding her hand in his, up against his chest, as he dipped her slowly, meeting her eyes. They sparkled with amusement, but as the music stopped then turned into another song, her expression changed.

  It was as if they both realized how close they were, and how right it felt. He pulled her upright ever so slowly, not breaking eye contact with her, afraid to even blink for fear she’d snap out of this moment they were in. He bent down, keeping his eyes locked on hers until he could feel her breath against his skin. He hesitated for just a moment, but she didn’t pull back or look away, so he moved a fraction of an inch closer, studying the depth of her eyes.

  Her long lashes fluttered closed, and her mouth parted as she raised her chin. Stephen pressed his lips against hers, remembering how ripe they’d always tasted before. But he’d been so young then, so inexperienced, and he didn’t want to overwhelm her or make her think he was only in it for the physical. He let them rest softly on hers.

  Madison’s body seemed to melt against his, and he pulled her closer, glad his hand was still on her back. Her left hand reached up and rested on his bicep as if to hold herself steady. Madison didn’t change the kiss, either to break away or make it stronger, but she accepted him, and that sent a thrill through his core.

  Stephen gently moved his lips over hers, exploring the fullness, all the while trying to hold his desire to a reasonable level. With a kid in the next room, he didn’t want to be caught in a compromising situation.

  As if the thought of Milo had produced the child, Stephen heard him enter the room. “Why ya kissing?” Milo asked.

  Madison pulled back as if startled, and Stephen smiled, knowing she had been completely distracted by the kiss.

  Milo looked at the two of them then asked, “Are you getting married?”

  Madison’s mouth dropped open, and her head whipped around to look at Stephen with what he could only describe as panic. She shook her head. “No, Milo. We’re not getting married.” She turned to the stove and started stirring, ignoring the looks directed at her.

  “Then why were you kissing?” Milo asked, fixing his gaze on Stephen.

  Stephen took a slow breath, wondering how on earth to answer that question. He looked at Madison’s back. “It just felt like the right thing to do at the time.” But with that question in the air, did Milo expect them to be together? He wasn’t ready for marriage. Not right away. He wanted to make sure they could make things work. Would she give him a chance?

  Madison turned to meet his gaze, and Milo, apparently accepting that answer, moved over to the table and pulled out his chair. “Is dinner ready? I’m hungry.”

  ***

  Madison looked at the two men at her table: her little man she’d loved all alone for so long and the grown man she’d loved and cried over so many times. And now they were together, but just not whole. And that kiss. What did it mean? Had he only kissed
her because it felt right? Was there any commitment to it? Because she was not willing to go into this just for fun. If she let him into her heart again, she wouldn’t let him go. It had hurt too much the first time to lose him.

  Right now, Milo’s interactions and relationship with Stephen needed to come first. She couldn’t do anything to jeopardize their connection. Milo needed to know he was important to both his parents, and if they were too busy with each other, he might fall by the wayside, and she didn’t want that.

  Chapter Twenty

  Friday morning, Steven poked his head in Madison’s office door but didn’t need to knock to get her attention. It was as if she had felt him there and looked up just as he arrived.

  “Are you doing anything tonight?”

  Madison tilted her head to the side as if she didn’t trust his question or the chipper way he’d said it. “No.”

  “I was wondering what you’d think about doing a movie in. We could do my place or yours.” Stephen had hoped she’d say his but wasn’t surprised when she answered with a question.

  “What movie and is Milo invited?”

  “For sure. I need to introduce the kid to Star Wars. Can’t have a birthday like that and not know about the force.” Stephen grinned at the mix of amusement on her face.

  “I suppose. He’s not too young to see that. From what I remember, it doesn’t have too much violence in it, right?” Madison met his eye.

  Stephen wondered if he should remind her about all the spaceships blowing up and the off-screen murders happening. “Yeah, totally appropriate for that age. A little bit of action and explosions, but it’s all good.”

  “Okay,” Madison agreed. “But I think my place is better. That way I can still get him to bed on time. When should we start?”

  Stephen quickly counted back the time in his head. The movie was about two hours, and if he needed to get it done so Milo could go to bed, it would need to start at seven. But he also hoped she’d invite him to stay for a double feature, since he would bring another movie for just the two of them, a romantic comedy he’d overheard her talking about to Kathryn, Mr. Carlson’s secretary.