Page 38 of Summer Love

She was quiet for a few seconds and then said, "I think people will find your life interesting. You live on an island, and you work with your family. Not everyone could do that."

I nodded. "Most of our classmates went to college and never looked back."

"It's nice to live on an island, but there're tourists all winter and spring. But it's a small town. Everyone knows everyone."

I glanced over at her. "Somehow I missed knowing you."

Elena shrugged, the light of the moon illuminating her face. "I'm not taking it personally."

We fell silent, both listening to the sound of the waves. I sipped the white wine, feeling more relaxed than I had in a while.

I leaned back in the chair, propping my leg on my knee. "I didn't realize you were into sports."

"I played basketball in school. I wasn't the best, but I wasn't the worst either."

"I think I misjudged you. When I first saw you, I thought you were one of those girls who doesn't like the outdoors unless it's to lay out in the sun in a bikini."

"If I'm going to the beach, I'm going in the water, and when I'm invited to play basketball, I'm going to participate. I'm easygoing like that. Sounds like we both need to let go of our preconceived notions and get to know each other without them."

I found myself agreeing. "I can do that."

The air was heavy tonight. I wasn't sure if it was the humidity or this realization that we were growing closer, even if it was in the name of an assignment. We were forced to spend time together. Something I thought I'd hate, but she was quickly growing on me.

Elena finished her wine and set the glass on the table in front of us. Then she stood. "I'm exhausted. I think I'm going to bed early."

I rose and followed her inside. "I'll stop by during the day to work on your deck. Then I'll head back here to get ready for family dinner. You're still coming, aren't you?"

"I’m looking forward to it," Elena said with a smile. "Should I bring anything?"

"Not necessary. Mom is used to cooking for a ton of people."

“See you you tomorrow." Elena walked down the steps and headed to her vehicle

I stood outside until her taillights disappeared. Then I returned to the deck, where I swore I could still smell her tropical scent.

I listened to the waves roll in, thinking about the night. This thing with her was getting bigger than I imagined. I was opening up more, and instead of feeling like this thing between us was coming to an end soon, it felt as if it was morphing into something else entirely.

It was inconvenient to be attracted to the journalist writing a story about me and my family. What if what she wrote made us look bad? What if she had ulterior motives? But it was hard to see how that could be possible.

* * *

I showed up on Sunday morning to find that Elena had saved a plate of food for me in the microwave. I ate, standing up. I'd already eaten an early breakfast, then gone for a run, but I was hungry again.

"I could get used to this," I said between bites to Elena, who was emptying the dishwasher.

"You're doing us a favor. Food is the least we can provide." She smiled up at me. My gaze drifted to where her shirt gaped open to reveal the globes of her breast.

I cleared my throat, handing her the cleared plate. "Are you ready to work?"

She smiled. "More demolition?"

"We'll finish clearing it out today, and my brothers will collect the debris."

Elena wore an old high-school T-shirt that seemed like it had shrunk over the years. Her jeans were skintight and tucked into construction-style boots that were cute on her.

She should have looked ridiculous in the oversized boots, but instead they only made her more attractive. Would she assist me in doing construction work if we lived together? Where had that idea come from?

I had to remember that this was purely a professional arrangement.

---