All Last Summer (Love on Summer Break, #1)

by Stephanie J. Scott

“Lila.” Matt stepped toward me as though approaching a frightened woodland creature. “You weren’t supposed to be here tonight.” Of course, I wasn’t supposed to be here.

he's caught cheating and she wasn't supposed to be there?

Today’s list: Goal: Nobody talk to me 1. Sleep 2. Wake up in an alternate timeline Someone pounded on my bedroom door.

I couldn’t believe that used to feel special.

“More like the boy is having trouble with life.” “Boys that age don’t have sense. You’ll be fine without him.”

My blush game came on so strong my mom probably sensed it at work two zip codes away.

so real.

I crawled into bed, tucking blankets around me into a fluffy cocoon. I didn’t want to think about Matt. Thinking about him meant replaying the breakup, and replaying all the things I’d done wrong leading up to it.

welcome to spiraling sister

His grin. Oh my goodness, his grin was…not terrible. I tore myself away from staring at his lips. And his white and very much imperfect teeth that were possibly endearing in their slight crookedness.

It was like seeing someone open their mouths to speak but hearing tuba sounds instead of English words.

Hello, Elephant. Meet room.

so real

Mental note: Danger! Danger! Frenemy warning!

I wanted to get over old hang-ups. I wanted to move on.

I dared to look at him, my heartbeat ramping up the same as the ride prepping to spin us off the ground. Aidan watched me. Something was different now. I felt it in my bones. His hand in mine connected us and all of our memories. Thoughts of him swirled in my head—how he looked at me, how I’d thought he’d looked at me that maybe wasn’t as critical as I’d always thought. He inched closer and my breath caught.

A sense of peace, of certainty, settled over me. I was right where I needed to be.

Ugh. I hated comparing myself to other girls. I needed to ditch that like I was ditching my old bad habits.

I did not know how to talk to guys.

me till this day

The one I’d crafted into a perfect, unrealistic version of him.

“I’m sorry. I guess I was caught between smiling at you taking him down and not wanting to look like I was laughing about it. I wasn’t laughing. I was…proud.”

this was so hot goodbye

“I can show you a good stance.”

I HAVE NO TIME FOR PLEASANTRIES SHOW ME YOUR WIEENERRR

It was everything I needed. One person who understood. The swirling shame and hurt and awkwardness settled and sank. Not gone, but no longer rising to the top.

I’d been trying not to overanalyze, but this was me. Analyzing was my DNA. Not part of it, but my actual DNA.

When I came into view of Aidan, my breath caught. He wore a weathered gray vest with black leather clasps over a faded white peasant shirt. It was…well, it was pretty hot. If you were into dudes wearing vests from historical eras. Which I discovered I was.

same bestie

Somewhere in the middle of my old and new Lila personas, the real me was trapped and trying to break free.

Well, thanks for thinking of me.” “Kind of a trend lately.” “Oh?” I managed in a nonchalant tone. He grinned. “Yeah. I think about you a lot.”

on. my. knees.

He lightly pumped his fist in the air. “What?” I asked. “I made you laugh.”

SO PRECIOUS

Aidan looked at me with care and concern. With something more I couldn’t name.

i need him

Aidan nodded and grinned. He was teasing me with that grin. I loved it. I hated it. I hated that I loved it.

Aidan fanned himself with his hand. “Stop, you’re turning me on.” “If old tech and mini-golf turns you on, do I have some schematics that may blow your mind.” I waggled my eyebrows.

THIS is flirting

“Of being a maker of things. Useful things. This concept of crafting, of creating with my hands—that’s what I want to do. That’s what you’re doing.”

craft me with your hands dude omg

Real men sew hair bows.”

Aidan: Thought of you today. A photo of a rose blossom appeared beneath his message. The area around it faded in soft focus, almost muted, so the bright red of the rose stood out even more.

the wAY I SCREAMED

I wanted a guy in tights to say to me, “Good morn, M’Lady.”

currently

He flashed a smile hitting me at the knees. Him being so understanding only made me sink further.

girl i'm on the floor with the hair tie READY

Take Greg with you.” Manny stood from the passenger seat, leaning over the SUV’s roof. “And leave you with all the girls? No way, dude.” “Bad deal,” Greg agreed.

ah yes

Hello, Universe? Could I rewind and start over?

If I’d had Greg’s number, I would have called it and put the speaker next to the garbage disposal when he answered.

Aidan smiled the smile that turned my knees to goo. And then he kissed me. Right there in front of Dan and Mason.

Aidan had this way of looking at me like he saw all of me. Seeing me and accepting. Freak outs, mishaps, and all.

My breath left me. Aidan was still protecting me even though I’d pushed him away.

“I’m sorry I was such a good girlfriend. I was so good, I tricked you into believing you had to do absolutely nothing to gain my devotion. You could have spat on me, and I’d wipe it from my face and tell you how great you were at spitting.

That’s what mature people do. They call each other out when they’ve done wrong. They listen to each other. And then they change.”

he's SO HOT

Just us, here, right now. Us, who we were now and whoever we wanted to be.