The Summer of Us (Mission Cove 1)

“But Abby—”

Again, I was ready for her. “I spoke to Michael. He’s going to keep an eye on the shop.” I chuckled. “He’s brought his kids in here three times. He finally lucked out and Abby was out front. I watched him introduce them to her.”

“How did that go?”

I grinned. “He acted all casual and Abby was flustered, but I think it was fine. When I told him about having to be in Toronto and why I was worried, he offered, so that’s covered. Now, next objection?”

“You really want that? Me at your place?”

I met her gaze, mine never wavering. “Yes. And there is no pressure, Sunny. I want some time alone with you. More than an hour at night or a few moments when I see you here. Time to be us. To talk.” I slid my hand down to hers and gripped it. “I’ll wait. I told you I would. But we need time alone. That’s all I am asking.”

“Okay.”

My smile couldn’t be contained. “Really?”

“Yes.”

“Can we grab one minute in the storeroom?” I murmured. “I really need to kiss you.”

A throat clearing in front of me gave me my answer. Another customer.

Sunny surprised me, leaning up on her tiptoes and kissing my cheek. “I’ll owe you.”

She hurried away, disappearing into the kitchen. I faced the older man, who was waiting patiently.

“I wish my boss looked like that.” He grinned. “And kissed me for a job well done.”

I laughed. “Perks of the job.”

“Is she taking applications?”

I shook my head, still amused. “Nope. Position is filled—permanently.”

“Lucky bastard.”

He was right.17SunnyI rested my head back against the luxurious leather interior of Linc’s car and watched the scenery go by. Mission Cove faded from view, the landscape becoming more urban, the highway active with traffic. Ahead was Toronto—one of the busiest cities in the country. I hadn’t been there in years, and if it weren’t for Linc, I wouldn’t have been heading toward its towering skyscrapers and overcrowded boundaries.

I rolled my head, peeking over at Linc. He was driving with one hand on the wheel, the other wrapped around mine, resting on the console that separated us. His car smelled of rich leather, cedar, and ocean. Of Linc. It was a scent I would always associate with him.

I could scarcely believe I was here, with him. The day he walked back into my life was one I would never forget. Seeing him standing in front of me was a shock. The boy I had loved had grown into a man who was a stranger—yet the moment he breathed my name, he became Linc again. He had lost his gangly, awkward gait and the boyish shape to his face. His stride and movements were confident and sure, his face all sharp angles, his jaw covered with scruff, no matter how closely he shaved in the morning. But it was his eyes. His eyes still looked at me the same way, with fierce devotion and fire. As in the past, I could sense when he was close. And when he pulled me into his arms and kissed me, it was as if I had finally come home.

All the years we were apart, a piece of me was missing. I learned to smile and pretend, to hide my pain away so nobody saw it. To act as if what we had shared had been a teenage love, when in fact, it was so much more. I knew I would carry it with me for the rest of my life. Carry him in my heart. I had tried to get over him, date other men—but it never worked. The closer they wanted to get, the more I pulled away. It was as if my heart refused to let him go.

And now he was here.

“Hey.” His voice broke through my musings.

I startled. “Hi?”

He smiled, lifting our entwined fingers to run his knuckles over my cheek. “You okay, Sunny-girl? You’re awfully quiet.”

“Just thinking.”

“Are you worried about the bakery?”

“No, I know Shannon, Mack, and Lori will take good care of it. I’m only a call away, if needed. Now that the rush of the weekend is over, they can handle it.” I smiled as I thought about the busy weekend and how Linc and Abby had pitched in to help. “You were awesome. So was Abby. That girl has some serious baking skills.”

He checked over his shoulder, then changed lanes. “I know. She kept that hidden all these years. I’m not sure why.”

“I told you—it was something personal. She told me she would bake and take whatever she made to a shelter or her neighbors,” I explained. “It was something she did just for herself. She wanted to be a strong woman in your eyes,” I reiterated.

“She is. She always will be—I know what she went through. I think she is incredible.” Linc smirked. “And it seems I am not the only one who does.”