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“Yeah, Summer. That’s exactly what he needs. And I know the perfect person for the job.” And based on the way he’s looking at me right now, I think Rhett Eaton’s new babysitter just might be me.
Willa: You should bang him.
We don’t look at each other as we walk, but he touches my shoulder gently and gestures me across his body. He moves me to the opposite side of him before taking up position by the road.
I give them that weird closed-mouth smile I often give to strangers instead of just saying hi. I know it looks pained, forced—a little serial-killer-y—but I keep doing it anyway. It’s a problem, and I can’t stop.
But I’m an empath. A caretaker. I can see the disappointment emanating from him.
“Careful. Your dad told me to keep my hands off you.” “Yeah, well, he didn’t tell me to keep my hands off you.”
He’s joking. But I did imagine a wedding night with him. A long time ago. I haven’t in years. But I might be tonight.
“It’s okay to put yourself first. Don’t settle, Wils.”
“You know, it’s not my place to say, but you should know that what Rhett is doing, he’s doing for you. For this place.”
With one step forward, my hand darts out and I yank the saddle-brown cowboy hat off his head and place it on mine.
“Having you think I’m out fucking everything that moves when I’ve looked at nothing and no one since the first day I laid eyes on you. I stepped into that godforsaken boardroom, and you practically demanded I become obsessed with you.”
“Having to spend all day, every day, with you and this smart mouth . . .” His spare hand yanks the can of whipping cream from my sweaty grip. He holds it up, hitting me with the most sinful grin. “And not being able to use it the way I want to. To fill it the way I want to.”
Then he leans in close, breath damp against my lips and growls, “Swallow, Summer.”
“Now, tell me honestly, Summer. If this were your last moment on earth, what would you want me to do?” I don’t even need to think about it. I know what I want from him. “Ruin me.” “Good. I’m about fucking done being a gentleman with you. And the only thing I’m ruining you for is anyone else.”
“It never mattered whose eyes were on your mom. Because her eyes were always on me.”
I know you’re so accustomed to pleasing everyone that you give and give until you have nothing left to give.
But what I saw that night was a man who’d burn everything down to defend you. I saw a man who’d risk it all to take care of you.” “I don’t need to be taken care of.” “Maybe not. But that man wears his love for you on his sleeve for the entire world to see. And he doesn’t give a shit who sees it. He’d scream it from the mountain tops if you asked him to. It’s written all over him. And you definitely need that.”
“Yup. And now you’re going to go find something to do that is the best fit for you. You’re going to stop worrying about what everyone else thinks of you or wants from you. And you’re going to waltz out in the world and be selfish for once. Take what you want and stop feeling guilty about it. Take it from me, guilt will eat you alive.”
“Tell me what to do, Summer. Tell me, and I’ll do it. Was I unclear before? Because I want to be crystal clear now. I love you. I loved you the moment you walked into that boardroom and smirked at me like you knew something I didn’t. It bothered me, and I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Wanting to know what you know. I fixated on it, but I think I was just fixated on you.”
I’ve already picked up the pieces of so much heavy shit in my life. I’m not sure I want to sign up for caring about someone more than they care about themselves.”
And I want her with me all the time. It’s fucking consuming. But she’s my favorite human in the world. After a certain amount of time together, other people usually get on my nerves. But not Summer. She’s my person. And I’m hers. Two halves of the same whole.
