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Kindle Notes & Highlights
by
Olivia Hayle
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October 18 - October 19, 2022
Summer Davis. Blonde, cutesy, with a matching golden retriever sidekick to complete an image fit for an advertisement.
“But not eighty-five-thousand-dollar pretty.” “Think about the rainforest,” he says. “All those cute monkeys.” “Exactly.”
The monkeys!!
“Sold to Mr. Anthony Winter!” the auctioneer calls to the sound of applause. I just stare at him. Anthony turns to me. “Well, you recommended it.” I just blink at him. “It’s a woman’s watch.” “So it’ll make an excellent gift,” he says, lowering his voice. “Think about the monkeys, Summer.” “Right. You’re very generous.” “That’s exactly it,” he says. “And now they’ll all remember it.”
These two just bounce off each other so well
“There’s a place down my street that sells pizza by the slice, or by the… whole? By the pizza? I don’t know what you call an entire pizza. A wheel of pizza?” The corners of his lips tug in earnest now. “A pie. It’s called a pie of pizza.”
“Anyway, the dresses, the car, the pizza… Thanks. I had a great time.” “All for the rainforest,” he says.
Never forget the monkeys.
Our eyes hold for an eternity-long second. A strand of dark hair has fallen over his square brow, like it believes in his stoic facade just as little as I do. “Summer,” he says. I sway closer. “Yes?” He bends down and my eyes flutter closed as he presses the briefest of kisses to my cheek. The soft scratch of his beard against my skin sends goose bumps racing along my arms. “Don’t think I haven’t thought about it,” he murmurs. “Oh,” I breathe. When I open my eyes again he’s smiling to himself. He gives me a nod and walks away, hands in his pockets. I watch him until he disappears into the New
...more
My heart was fluttering and I held my breath at this bit.
But then her door creaks as it’s nudged open, nails clicking against hardwood floor. Ace winds his way around my legs, a cold nose pressed against my hand. I rub my hand over his silky ears and his tail wags softly, dark eyes looking up at me. Reminding me that I might one day need someone like him.
Guide doggo to the rescue
“I don’t have to believe in love,” he says, “to respect the fact that you do.”
Teared up 😢
I mutter to the dog by my feet. Ace hasn’t left my side since we arrived at the beach, despite watching the seagulls wading along the water’s edge with a hunter’s intensity. “You failed at being a seeing eye dog, and I’m failing at being sighted. We’re a solid pair.” His head turns up at my voice and dark dog eyes meet mine. So what, he seems to be saying. We’re on the beach. Enjoy it. Perhaps he’s right about that, or perhaps I’ve lost my mind to be considering what a dog might be thinking. His mind is probably focused on belly rubs and meaty bones.
He reaches for me and I settle on his lap, the water divine and temperate around us. It laps in soft waves over my exposed breasts and Anthony looks down, a soft half-smile on his face. “Good thing you advised me to take my top off,” I say. “Thanks for reminding me of the dangers of tan lines.” “I’m nothing if not altruistic.” His hand cups my left breast, nearly covering it whole. “Of course you are.”
Hey, does this, you and me, mean I technically won the bet? Because you did go on a date with me too, you know. I remember.” “Mmm, so do I. We saved some rainforest together.” “You saved it. Well, contributed to saving it.” “You were valuable moral support,” he says. “I accept,” I say. “Now, does it or does it not mean that I was right? About Opate Match?” Anthony grins, and it’s a full-fledged smile, wide and true and dazzling. It takes my breath away. “Don’t gloat, Summer,” he says, but the way he kisses me is a clear yes.
Now, do you want extra parmesan with your lasagna?” “If the question is between cheese and more cheese, there’s only one answer.” Her smile lights up her face, a difficult topic dispelled. It must be effortless for her. “See, I know there’s a reason I keep you around.”
Cheese baes
“How can you bear it? How do you keep from despairing?” He kisses my temple and pulls me close. “I don’t,” he says, the sound like a confession against my hair. “You just haven’t seen it yet.”
Oh god this got me
“Anthony,” I murmur. “I love—” He halt my words with a kiss and shudders in my arms. “Don’t, Summer. Please. I won’t be able… please.” “Okay,” I murmur. “I won’t.” He smooths my hair back with his free hand, still buried deep inside me. “Not until I’m back with you. Not until I’m better.”
I died
“The people who care about you won’t judge, and the people who do? You don’t care about them.”
This. This will stick with me.
