Summer's End (Wildflowers #5) - Jill Sanders Page 0,40

eyes narrowed.

“Seriously? That was the entire plan.” She shook her head. “So, you don’t even know…” He waited and after a moment, she rolled her eyes and leaned against his truck again. “Is there enough food for the two of us?” she asked, motioning to the tray.

“Not sure. Isaac always gives me a lot. I’m sure we can work something out,” he said with a smile.

“Fine.” She waved her hands. “Let’s head to the pool. I could use a dip after… everything that’s happened in the last hour.”

He shrugged and picked up the food container again and followed her to the smaller pool. It was closest to the private beach area and was empty at this time of night after the light rain they’d had earlier.

Setting the tray down, he lifted the lid and smiled when he noticed two chicken breasts lying on homemade noodles covered in a creamy sauce.

“Perfect.” He sat across from her and held up a fork for her.

They shared the meal in silence while the pool lights danced, casting shadows around them.

“I’m glad your dad isn’t really dead,” he said, breaking the silence.

“Thanks,” she said softly. “I suppose I should have known he would try something like this,” she said between bites. “After all, he’s tried so many other things over the years to control me.” She set the fork down and frowned at the water. “Makes me wonder why.” She sighed and shook her head.

“We haven’t really talked a lot about…” He thought about it for a moment. “Well, about our private lives.” He chuckled. “I guess we’ve been focused on the physical side of things, until recently. But over the years I’ve picked up a few tidbits about your life from your friends.”

“It’s not like I’ve hidden where I come from, but there are things I’ve kept even from my friends.” She glanced off over the water and he saw sadness cause her shoulders to sag slightly.

“Like us?” he suggested. Her head snapped back to him, then she nodded slowly.

“Yes, like us.”

“Now that that cat is out of the bag, feel free to share any more secrets you want to get off your chest,” he said with a smile.

In the years he’d known her, he had never seen her look as defeated as she did now.

“Hey.” He reached out and touched her shoulder. “There’s something more. What is it?”

Her eyes turned to him. “I don’t want you to go with me.”

He stiffened with the sting of her admission.

“No, not because of…” She waved between them. “Because of him. He’s going to try and destroy you. Because of association. Especially, if we play the relationship card.”

He relaxed slightly. “Let him try.”

“Oh, he’ll do more than try. If we go through with the plans of pretending like we’re an item, then he won’t stop until he sees everything you’ve worked hard for ruined.”

“My life is pretty secure.” He reached for her hand. “I doubt you and your friends are going to fire me here, and Owen… well, things there are going great as well. Besides, I think we can give him a heads-up before your dad makes any moves against my career.” He shrugged.

“It won’t just be your career he goes after,” she warned as she looked down at her fingers. “He doesn’t think twice about hitting below the belt.”

He chuckled and lifted her hand to his lips, then brushed a kiss across her knuckles. “Let him try. I have no loans, not even for my truck.” He smiled. “I paid her off last year.” He shrugged. “There’s not much he could use to ruin me. There’s not much more to me. I’m not seeing anyone.” His eyes met hers. “Not officially, anyway, and my personal life pretty much has been on hold since I started working two full-time jobs.

“I guess you have been stretched pretty thin. We should’ve given you more time…”

“Aubrey.” He waited until she met his gaze again. “I’ll be fine. Really. Besides, I’m looking forward to telling your father off.” He smiled and enjoyed when her lips turned upwards as well. “Now, how about that swim?” He stood up and pulled off his shirt and shoes. When he reached for his jeans, her eyes ran over him, and he knew instantly that she wanted him.

He’d made a point not to make the moves, since this was her game and not his, but as she pulled off her shorts and tank top to expose the sexy cream-colored bikini, he realized not making a