It Happened One Summer (Bellinger Sisters, #1)

by Tessa Bailey

“You are twenty-eight years old, Piper, and you have done nothing with your life. Nothing.

“I can be in a room full of people that I know and still not feel like I belong.”

Maybe she should try to put her phone down more often. Or at least take in the real moments when she could.

But I don’t follow orders, I give them.”

“People tend to avoid the grieving. Grief, in general.

“I don’t know. I’ve gotten used to being alone.

“You really don’t hate me?” “Don’t be ridiculous.” “I really didn’t know. I’m so sorry.”

“Maybe Cap’s just got resting asshole face.”

“I needed something to keep me busy while I worked up the nerve to ask.”

aww

No, battling the tides, the current, the waves was his life’s work. There was salt water running through his veins.

This attraction was even more dangerous than she’d originally thought.

Oh, this wasn’t good. She didn’t even know which part of her was in command. Her head, her heart, her lady business. Or maybe they all were, three bitches hitting the switches of her control panel.

You can be as high maintenance as you want, honey. But I’m the only one who does the maintenance.”

Because you like him. A lot. For who he is, not what he can do for you.

“When I hug you?” Fuck. His heart was turning over and over like a car engine. “My hugs are your recharging station?”

“Can you be mad at me while I kiss you, baby? It’s all I’ve wanted to do for the last two weeks.”

“I’m fine. I’m right here.”

But he would fight this battle with her as many times as it took. Until she realized he wasn’t falling for it and there was more here. A hell of a lot more.

“You can wrap me as tight as you want around that little finger, but I won’t play games about what this is. Get me, Piper?”

“I can only imagine what kind of idiots you’ve dated, Piper. But I’m not one of them. I’m a grown-ass man, and I know where we stand. I know you’re going to make me work for you, and I’m not scared of it.”

“You want to dance some more, or can I bring you home?” “Where is home?” “With me.”

“I like it here. It’s so warm. You’re a big hard teddy bear from the sea. Like tuna from the sea, but with a bear.”

“You talk about being with me like it’s a battle.” “It is, in a way. But I’m grateful I’m the one fighting it.”

“You’re worth fighting for, too.

“Piper, there is nobody like you.”

“Can you trust me, honey? I’m just trying to get to the light. Get to you.”

“Last night, you said a couple of things that bothered me, and now we’re going to work through those.”

now, this is man.

“I mean, we’re boyfriend and girlfriend now. I guess you got what you wanted.”

But one thing she didn’t have to overthink was making these moments with Brendan count.

Captain Brendan Taggart was a man. A real one.

“I’ve got you. I’ve always got you.”

“The point is, you have to think about the specific woman. They don’t all like flowers and chocolate.”

What she’d thought before was living life to the fullest had actually been living life for other people to watch. To gawk at.

Now, though? She was participating in her own life. Not just posing and pretending.

The world was so much bigger than her, and she was really seeing it now. She was really looking.

“I want you. However you are, whatever you are, I want you.

And I’ll fight to get inside that head as many times as it takes. Over and over and over. Don’t you dare doubt me.”

“How can you say that’s it when it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me?”

“I love you, baby. Goddammit, I love you back. As long as that’s the case, everything will be fine—and it will always be the case. We’ll work on the details. Okay?” “Okay.”

I won’t make you fight to get into my head. I don’t want that. I don’t want to be constant work for you, Brendan. Not when you make it so easy to love you.”

Just when it seemed like the storm was beginning to break and daylight spread across the calm waters? That’s when the biggest wave hit.

Things were too good to be true.

You want to storm out? Fine. Go. I’ll be the strong one this time.”

“I think that means the good times are worth a little struggling, don’t you?”

You have to be strong to stay afloat.”

having Piper in his life had been so painfully sweet. So much better than he knew life could be.

I’m sorry I failed you, baby. Just give me one more chance.

“Your daughter will always have a place in my heart. But Piper owns that heart. She came here and robbed me blind of it.”

Because it was just her, living in real moments, not fabricating them for the entertainment of others.

and I love you. More than any goddamn ocean, do you hear me? I love you, and I’m falling deeper by the minute,