Till Summer Do Us Part

by Meghan Quinn

This is a story about me falling in love with myself. Yup, being a twenty-nine-year-old divorcée will do that to you. The only person I want to be in love with right now is me and me alone.

This is a living nightmare. Surrounded by happy couples boasting about their weekend plans, talking about their partners like they worship the ground they walk on. What’s that like? Couldn’t tell you.

“That my friend needs a fake husband for a therapy session tomorrow at nine in the morning, can you fill in? He said, ‘Sounds like fun, send me the deets.’”

The lightest splattering of freckles on her cheeks. And one single dimple on the right side of her face. She’s hot. Why the hell does she need a fake husband?

Last night, when we solved our differences, all I could think about was how easy that was. How simply honest conversation resolved animosity. There was no holding grudges. We just…continued on. It was so healthy that I almost didn’t know what to do with it. I appreciated it. And I know she did too. Because the rest of the night was spent enjoying each other, which definitely decided how we slept last night.

Okay, that was…that was not supposed to happen. And yet it did. And for the brief moment that it did happen, I fucking liked it. Yup, I liked it. And I wouldn’t mind if it happened again.

Her eyes fall to my mouth for a brief second and then travel back up to my eyes. Our arms are still wrapped around each other. It would be so easy to bend down right now and kiss her. To cup the back of her head and show her just how much I appreciate her. How much I’ve enjoyed these last few days with her, even when we were fighting.

“Hey, it’s fine. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like it, because I did. Sure, it was surprising, but also, can’t deny a beautiful woman caressing me the way you did.”

“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again—I fucking love your legs. They’re so sexy, and I bet…” I pause. Do I say the rest? Do I tell her what I’m really thinking? Why the fuck not? “I bet they’d look good wrapped around me.”

“I wasn’t touching you because if I did…I probably wouldn’t have stopped.”

It’s as if one touch of her lips to mine was like a bolt of lightning zapping through me, waking me up from a slumber I’ve been in for years.

And even though we’re in a room where other couples are around us, I can only feel her. I am only interested in her.

That can’t possibly be true. Isn’t she buzzing like I am? Isn’t she ready to move this to the next step? Doesn’t she want more?

Because I just made out with Scottie, and I more than liked it. I loved it. I want to do it again. And again.

“I think what you need to tell me is that you’re crushing on Wilder, and you don’t know what to do about it.” “Crushing?” “Yeah, you’re crushing on him.”

“By having zero reaction to our kiss. Not even an ounce of a reaction. You acted like it was nothing.” “Because maybe it was nothing,” I say, regretting the words the moment they come out of my mouth.

I don’t want her acting like everything is normal. Because it’s not. There is nothing normal about the connection I feel with her.

“Let’s get one thing fucking straight,” I say as I move over her. “I’m not Matt, and I love eating pussy, so spread your goddamn legs.”

“Courage for what? Pips, you touch me any way you want, and I’m going to fucking love it.”

“I’m so attracted to you, Wilder. Really attracted. More than I probably should be.”

I’m yours.

I sigh into her kiss and make out with her, because I can tell you right now, this woman, with one night together, has me wrapped around her goddamn finger. I want her world to be rocked. I want her insane with pleasure. So that’s what I’ll do…ensure she’s sated beyond her wildest dreams but also instilled with all the confidence she deserves.

I’ve never felt so beautiful before. I’ve never felt so wanted. I’ve never felt so needed. And within one night, Wilder changed all that.

My stomach hollows for a moment, because I’m so not used to this. I’m not used to this sort of attention. His touch. His constant need to hold me.

“How do I fuck you?” he asks, his hand tightening around the back of my neck now. “Like you own me.” He grunts. “Because I fucking do.”

My Pips. Did he really just say “my Pips”? I think he did. And why do I love it so much?

I do know that I like Scottie. A lot. She’s unlike anyone I’ve ever met. She intrigues me. She keeps my attention. She challenges me. She makes me laugh. She’s fucking fun to be around, and if that wasn’t enough, she drives me fucking wild with need, and I’ve never felt that before. I’ve never felt this unfiltered urge to claim someone, to make them mine. But the second her lips met mine, there was something inside me that snapped, popped, that woke me the fuck up and told me to pay attention.

“Does that seem scary?” She wets her lips, and then in the sweetest fucking voice I’ve ever heard, she says, “With you…no.”

“What?” I ask. He slightly tilts his head to the side and says, “You’re beautiful, Scottie.”

“She deserves the world, and I’m ready to give her that.”

“So then you two have feelings for each other.” Sanders motions between the two of us. “Um, I mean⁠—” “Yes,” Wilder says. “I have feelings for her.” I look in his direction and he nods. “I do, Pips. I have feelings for you.” “I do too,” I say shakily. “You know I do.”

“I need you to know that this is not goodbye. That when you get back to the city, I will most likely be at your doorstep, wanting to see you. Wanting to hang out. Just wanting to talk. I’ve grown accustomed to having you around, and I can’t just go without talking. How do you feel about that?” “I feel the same.” “You do?” I ask, surprised. “Yes. I do.” “Okay…good. That’s⁠—” “But I’m also hesitant,” she adds. “And I get that, and I know that earning your trust is something I’ll have to work on.” “I trust you, Wilder.”

“I promise, I won’t hurt you, but I know actions speak louder than words, so I’m here to prove it.” He cups my cheek now and whispers, “Come to the movies with me. Give this a chance.”

I feel my cheeks heat up. “That was different. We’re sort of like a couple now.” “Sort of?” He shakes his head. “No, babe. We are a couple.”

“You claiming me?” I ask. “Damn right. Why do you think I still wear this bracelet? Mine. You’re mine.”

“You really went out of your way to do all those things for me.” “Pips, I never went out of my way. It’s all things I wanted to do.”

I brought you here because I wanted to tell you that I’m in love with you.”

“I love you. I’m in love with you, and I’m so grateful I have you in my life.”