Naughty

Summer closed the door and stepped toward her. “How long have you two been together?”

“You know Mom and Dad’s anniversary?”

“Yeah.”

“My car broke down outside of his shop. He was there to help.”

“He’s always been a good guy.”

“I never meant for any of this to happen.”

“Dad just pulled me aside and gave me the third degree. I know you didn’t mean for any of this to happen, and I’m so sorry that I took it out on you. I really shouldn’t have, and I’m sorry.” Summer sighed. “I had no right to slap you.”

“I love him, Summer.”

“He loves you, too.”

“You don’t know that,” she said.

“I do. He told me he loved you. He was pretty pissed when you ran out. I can’t say that I blame him. It was all my fault. I shouldn’t have done what I did.”

“What did you do?”

“I took his key, let myself in, and rather than deal with my own problems, I thought I could use him to figure everything out.”

Autumn frowned. “I don’t even know how you’d have been able to use him.”

Summer took her hand, locking their fingers together. “I’m in love with a man, Autumn. He’s a good man, and I don’t know what to do with that.”

“Who is it?”

“David?”

“Boring David?”

“The one and only. See why I was having a few problems?”

“Not really. If you love him, what was the problem?”

“Nothing. That’s the point. Nothing is the problem, apart from the fact that I’m cheating on him with Brad.”

“Are you afraid of falling in love?” Autumn asked.

Summer paused and looked down at their hands. “I don’t know. I think so. I seem to get a good deal with a guy, and before I know what I’m doing, I’m screwing it up.”

“Who do you want?”

“David. Brad is fun, but he’s my boss and I find him boring. When I’m with David, we have so much in common. He has a love of sci-fi films, and you know I love them. We have a love of art, and work, and when I’m with him, I feel like I’m floating.”

“Are you more worried about what other people think?” Autumn asked.

“What will they say if they see me with a guy like David?”

“Who cares, Summer? You love him, and does he love you?”

“I don’t know. I think you need to care about what you want before you end up being a lonely old woman, and maybe even a little bitter.” Summer pulled her close, and hugged her tight. “I’m so sorry, Autumn. Really, really sorry.”

“You forgive me?”