by Allie Able
“I came home after me and Jared split up. I just walked in there one day and and asked if she was hiring. I think she had only been open a few weeks at that point, I really like working there though.” She smiles and I have to admit she looks happy.
“What can I get ya'll to drink?” The waitress asks, as she walks up to our table.
“I'll have a water,” Lexie responds. I briefly glance up at her before ordering the same.
“So, what is Summer doing in Cape Isle? I know she isn't from around here. I would have remembered her.”
She smirks at me and for a second, I don't think she is going to answer. “I was wondering how long we would be seated before you asked about her,” she replies, shaking her head, “She's from Tennessee.”
I wait for her to say more, but she never does. “That's all your going to tell me, Lex, just that she is from Tennessee?” I ask with a smile.
She studies her menu for a minute, before looking back at me. “Maybe I could be persuaded to talk, if you order the Crawfish dip for an appetizer.”
The waitress sets our water down in front of us. I smile at Lexie, before addressing the waitress, “We'll have the Crawffish dip as an appetizer, please.”
“Okay, I'll put that in for you,” she replies, practically shoving her tits in my face.
“Thanks,” I respond, as I look back over at Lexie.
I hope she will quickly get the hint, that I'm not interested, and just walk away. On occasion, I have women hit on me or drop subtle hints that they are into me. Usually it doesn't bother me, and sometimes I take them up on their offers, but right now I don't give two shits about another woman.
The waitress finally takes the hint and walks off in a huff.
Lexie laughs and shakes her head. “There is no way she could have known that we aren't on a date. I think if you would have given her permission, she would have mounted you at the table, with me sitting right here,” she giggles, “Doesn't that shit get old, Grant?”
“I usually don't mind,” I say with a wink.
“Gross!” she exclaims, making a gagging noise.
“You asked,” I laugh, “All joking aside, in the past I never gave it much thought. I haven't found a woman I want settle down with. I have been with the Marines for ten years, Lexie, but I'm almost 31 years old now. I'm getting tired of all the games women seem to enjoy playing so much.”
“Not all women play those games,” Lexie points out.
“I know that. I want to settle down with someone who won't try to get into my pants, while I'm having dinner with another woman. Like you said, she didn't know if you were my date or not.”
Lexie nods her head, “Agreed.”
“Alright, I ordered your Crawfish dip,” I say, giving her my most charming smile.
Lexie laughs, but quickly becomes somber. “She moved here from Tennessee about six months ago. She graduated from Vanderbilt University with a business degree, but before opening the bakery, I don't think she has worked in about six years. She is 28 years old and divorced. She did not have a good marriage and her ex-husband may be the biggest asshole on the face of the earth.”
There are so many questions swirling around in my mind, with all of the information Lexie just gave me, but I ask the most important one first. “What did you mean when you said that her marriage wasn't good? Did he cheat on her or something?” I can't imagine having a woman like Summer as your wife and treating her like anything other than precious gold.
“That among other things,” Lexie responds vaguely. “This really isn't my story to tell, Grant. Summer has had a rough time of it. Her parents passed away when she was only nineteen and she started dating her ex-husband right after. Like I said, their marriage was not good. I don't know very many details, but even if I did, I wouldn't feel comfortable sharing them. I love you like a brother, but this girl has come to mean a lot to me. I don't want to break her trust, because I have a feeling that after everything she has been through, that trust doesn't come easily. I will say this though, she is very, very shy, which I know is surprising. When she looks in the mirror, she doesn't see what you and I see. She is extremely beautiful, but she doesn't even notice when men try to shower her with attention. Yesterday with you, is the most I have ever seen her engage in a conversation, with a man. My advice would be not to push her. She needs friends, Grant, be her friend.”
Shit, I can't believe how much Summer has been through and, by the way Lexie is talking, I know I don't even know half of it. I barely know this woman, but I would like to find her ex-husband and punch him in the fucking face.
“I get it, Lexie. Thank you,” I say sincerely.
“No problem. Now, call Miss leg humper back over here. I'm starving and I'm ready to order.”
I laugh, as I raise my hand to wave our waitress back over.
Chapter Four
Summer
SATURDAY'S ARE ALWAYS ONE OF the busiest days at the bakery. The downtown area where 'Sprinkles' is located has a lot of local business. It's the beginning of May and the tourist season is about to start, making all of the shops busier than they are during the off season. I know I'm going to have to hurry up and hire another person soon.
“Girl, my feet are killing me and I think I have frosting in my hair,” Lexie says, cleaning the top of the counters.
“Mine are too. I'm looking forward to having a big glass of wine when I get home. Do you have any plans tonight?” I ask.
“Hell no! I am dead on my feet. I'm going home to soak in a hot bath.”
I look up at her, from where I was cashing out the register, and frown. “I'm sorry, Lexie. I promise I'm going to hire someone soon.”
She waves the rag she was using to clean the counter tops at me. “Don't apologize for being successful. I would much rather be busy than bored out of my mind,” she replies in a stern voice.
“Thanks Lexie. Your tip jar is overflowing.” I say, pointing to the sparkly jar on the counter.
She smiles at me, before going back to cleaning. “There is a new pair of shoes calling my name. What are your plans tonight?”
“I have that contractor coming to look my house and then I have a date with a bottle of wine,” I smile, “Alright, I'm done counting the money. You ready to get out of here?”
She nods her head and tosses the rag into the hamper. We make our way towards the office and I put the money bag in the safe. After I drop the money, we get our purses and walk to the door. Since it's still early in the evening and it's so warm out today, I notice there are still a lot of people walking around shopping.
“Grant asked about you last night,” Lexie says, as I'm locking the door behind us.
“What? Why would he do that?”
She shrugs and turns to walk toward our cars. “I guess he was just curious. He really is nice guy, Summer. He has been like a brother to me for almost all of my life.”
“Why would he be curious about me? I get the feeling you're not telling me something,” I mumble.
“Oh quit being so paranoid. You are a beautiful woman, Summer, of course he would be curious,” she says, in a stern voice.
“Lexie, I'm not -,” I snap my mouth shut, when she puts her hand up in front of me.
“Stop right there. If you say anything other than, 'I know I've got it going on, Lexie. I'm as hot as a three dollar pistol', I can not be held accountable for my actions.”
I smile. “Where do you come up with this stuff?”
“It's a gift,” she shrugs her shoulders, “So anyway, like I was saying, Grant is a really nice guy,” she lowers her voice, “He is nothing like your ex, Summer.”
I shake my head at her, “Lexie,-” but before I can finish, she cuts me of again and places her hand on my shoulder.
“Everyone needs friends, Summer. That is all I'm saying. Now, go home and enjoy that well deserved bottle of wine. I'll see you tomorrow.”
I can feel my eyes burning with unshed tears. Besides my Aunt, it has been years since a
nyone has shown me any sort of kindness. I am so thankful Lexie wandered into my shop that day looking for a job.
I nod my head at her in acknowledgment, “Thank you. I'll see you tomorrow.”
She smiles as she gets into her car and waves as she pulls out of the parking lot.
* * *
I walk into my house and look at my watch. I have exactly twenty minutes before the contractor is suppose to be here. I have enough time to change clothes and fix something quick to eat. I set my purse down on my bed and go into the bathroom to wash my face. As I'm putting on my lounge shorts, I hear my doorbell ring. I guess that
sandwich will have to wait until later. I quickly put my hair up in a ponytail, as I go answer the door. The door bell rings again as I'm entering the living room.
“I'm coming,” I grumble, as I walk towards the door.
I look through the peephole and I'm stunned speechless at the sight of the man on the other side. Grant Hamilton is standing on my porch. Holy shit! Why he is he here? Did he ask Lexie for my address? I quickly dismiss that thought. Lexie would never give out my address, even for her brothers best friend. I reluctantly unlock the door and open it.
“Grant?” I say his name as a question, because honestly I can't think of why he would be standing on the porch, at almost 7:00 pm, on a Saturday night. His face looks shocked too, like he wasn't expecting me to be the one to answer the door.
“Hey Summer,” he says as he looks around my front porch, before looking back at me, “Do you live here?”
“Um, yes?” I answer, confused. He knocked on my door, shouldn't he have known I lived here?
He chuckles a little at my answer, confusing me even more. “My dad's construction company was hired to do the renovations on your house. He's retiring soon, so I will be over seeing all of the new projects. There wasn't a name on the paperwork, so I wasn't expecting it to be you that answered the door,” he explains.
“Oh, I'm so sorry. I was a little confused for a moment,” I mumble, as I continue to look at him.
“May I come in?” he asks, his eyes shining with humor.
Of course, he has to come in my house. “Um, yeah. Sorry,” I say sheepishly, opening the door wider and gesture for him to come in.
Should I leave the door open? I haven't been completely alone with a man, since I left Ryan, and this situation has made me so uncomfortable, for so many different reasons. I ultimately decide to stop being stupid and close the damn door. When I turn around, I see that Grant is surveying the living room. He looks over his shoulder at me, when I start to walk towards him.
“You don't have to apologize, Summer,” he replies softly.
I just shrug my shoulders in response because apologizing is what I'm use to doing, when it comes to men. What I'm not use to is kindness and softly spoken words.
He stares at me with a strange look on his face and then clears his throat gesturing towards the living room, “So, I can see the living room is pretty much updated. Are there changes you wanted to make in here?”
Thank God he doesn't want to make small talk. “Yes, a few. However, most of the major renovations I wanted to make are in the kitchen. There are also a few minor things I wanted done in the master bedroom and bathroom and the guest bedroom and bathroom.”
“Would you mind giving me a tour? We could sit down when we're done and go over all of the changes you wanted to make and what you want the end result to look like. If that's okay with you?”
I mentally start to freak out. Oh my God! I have to take him into my bedroom. I know I need to get myself together. Every emotion I'm having is probably showing on my face. I knew I would have to show the contractor around my house, I just wasn't expecting the contractor to be Grant.
Chapter Five
Grant
I CAN'T BELIEVE THE NEW renovation contract we are trying to get is for Summer Foster's house. When dad called me yesterday and told me he wanted me to start handling all the new contracts coming up, I wasn't surprised. I knew when I came home that he would be retiring, and since I already the ends and outs of almost everything about the business, there is really no reason for him to come into the office everyday.
I haven't stopped thinking about Summer since yesterday. The little bit of information Lexie gave me last night at dinner, only made me more curious about her. I'm not surprised when I see the apprehension on her face. After what Lexie told me about her ex-husband, I can imagine she doesn't trust men easily, I just wish she wouldn't feel that way around me. I know I need to say something to make her more at ease with me, but she surprises me by squaring her shoulders and speaking before I can.
“That sounds good. Like I said, the living room doesn't need much updating, but I would like it to be more open to the back deck,” she says, walking through the living room, “I really don't know much about construction or renovating a house, but if possible, I would like the living room to somehow be an extension of outside. I leave these doors open a lot while I'm home, but it still doesn't seem open enough for me.”
She opens the doors and I look around outside. I'm impressed. This is one of the most amazing outdoor living areas I think I have ever seen. “Wow, I see what your saying. It's beautiful out here.”
“I agree. I think this is what sold me on the house. I could live out here,” she says with a small smile.
“I bet. So this area definitely doesn't need any renovations. I will just add in the notes that the living room needs to be more open to the outside. Want to show me the guest bath?” I gesture back towards the house.
Summer nods her head and walks back inside, “You can just leave those doors open. I usually open them when I get home anyway. I love the smell of the ocean.”
I nod my head in acknowledgment and follow her back down a hallway to the right, that leads to three guest rooms and a bathroom. She shows me all of the rooms and I'm surprised at how large they all are. One of the bedrooms is on the back of the house and it has a standard door that leads to the deck.
“I want to add glass french doors in here, like the ones that are in the living room. Kind of brighten it up in here,” she says.
I nod my head and make notes, as I follow her out of the room and down the hallway to the bathroom. The bathroom is also large and has a beautiful view of the ocean, but a really small window.
“I think this could be a beautiful space with just a few minor renovations, but I definitely want a large window in here to show that view better.”
“I agree. I can't imagine why the builder didn't originally do that.”
Summer nods her head, “Let me show you the kitchen. I think it will need the most work.”
I follow her back down the hall and I can't help but look at her ass and her long legs in those tiny shorts. I have been trying to not let my eyes wander over her gorgeous body since I walked in the door. I know it's unprofessional, not to mention a little creepy for me to be checking her out, while I'm here doing a job. I don't want to make her more uncomfortable than she already is, but I just can't seem to stop my eyes from looking her over. Her mile long legs look even longer with just that little bit of material covering them.
I somehow peal my eyes away from her legs, when she stops right before we get into the kitchen and turns to open a door.
“This is just a half bath. I'm planing on repainting it, but I don't think it needs any more work than that.”
I peek my head in the door and look around the small bathroom. “Yeah, everything looks recently updated,” I agree.
She leads me to the kitchen and I see what she is talking about. It's going to need a lot of work. “It looks like this is a different house,” I remark, looking around at the old fixtures and tile.
“I know. I don't think this room has been updated since the house was built. I have an idea of what I want done in here, but I'll wait until we sit down to go over all of it. The last part of the house is the master suite,” she gestures past the kitchen down another short hallway.
/>
I nod my head and follow her.
Her bedroom is stunning. The same as the rest of the house. Everything is so soft and feminine, but it isn't overly so. Her bed looks like a cloud and it has more pillows on it than any bed I have ever seen. It is facing a set of french doors, like the ones in the living room, that let in a ton of natural light and open to the patio area. The ceiling, like throughout the rest of the house, is high with wooden beams running across it. There is a dresser and a full length mirror off to the right side of the room and a small bench, at the foot of the bed. I notice a door that must lead to the closet and another door that must lead to the bathroom.
“It's beautiful in here, Summer. The view of the ocean is amazing.”
“I think so too. I just want to open this up a little bit more, like I want to do in the living room. The bathroom is through this door and the walk in closet is over there.”
I walk towards the bathroom and look around. It's large in here with two sinks, a small bathtub, and a tiled shower.
“If possible, I want a larger bathtub in here,” she says quietly, coming to stand behind me.
I turn to look at her and see that her eyes are studying the room. “I think I can do that,” I reply.
I can tell that she is uncomfortable with me in her personal space, so a gesture her towards the door, “Since we are done with the tour, would you like to go sit down and discuss the details of what all you want done?”
She quickly nods, looking relieved, “Yes, thank you. Would you like something to drink?”
“A bottle of water if you have it, please.”
She gets two bottles of water out of the refrigerator and leads us into the living room. She hands me my water and sits in the chair facing the couch.