Page 62 of Until Next Summer

He pushes himself to standing. “No, I need to get packed. I’m leaving early tomorrow morning.”

I turn sharply. “What?”

“I need to go to New York and meet with my editor.”

“But you’re coming back?” I blurt, trying not to betray how sad I would be if he didn’t.

“I’m coming back.” One corner of his lips twitches upward.

“When?”

“On Sunday. It’s a quick trip so I can meet her for lunch. You can handle two days without me.”

I nod, surprised at how relieved I am to hear this. “What are you doing with Scout?”

“Boarding her at a place in North Fork.”

“Where?”

“Uh, it’s called Sweet Suzy’s—”

“Dog Motel?” I finish, and he nods. “She can’t stay there.”

His eyes narrow. “Why?”

“Sweet Suzy is a nutjob. Whenever she takes the dogs on walks, at least a couple get loose and run wild through the streets. Plus, she has areallyhyperactive husky mix that tries to mate with all the female dogs.”

“Scout is fixed.”

“She’s a senior citizen! You can’t put her through that indignity.”

Luke purses his lips, peering at me. “Did you just volunteer to watch my dog?”

“No, you should take herwithyou.”

“You want me to put a senior citizen in the cargo hold of a plane?” He raises an eyebrow. “Besides, the hotel I’m staying at isn’t dog friendly.”

“This camp wasn’t dog friendly either, and that didn’t stop you,” I say. Then, remembering the address on his registration form: “Wait—don’t you live in New York?”

“Not anymore.”

“Where do you live?”

“Right now? Here.”

I’m about to fire back a sarcastic retort, but something dark flickers across Luke’s face. Then, just as quickly, it’s gone. He clears his throat.

“I guess I’ll have to take my thirteen-year-old arthritic golden retriever to Sweet Suzy’s and hope she isn’t too traumatized.”

I sigh. “Okay, fine. I’ll watch her.”

He half smiles, and I can’t help the burst of elation I feel.

Luke says he’ll bring Scout over to my cabin early tomorrow morning and give me the information about her schedule, feeding, and medications. Then he walks me to the door, and I step out into the sunlight.

I turn back to see Luke leaning against the doorframe, watching me, an unreadable expression on his face. I have a sudden urge to move closer, to put myself into his space and see how he’d react.

Instead, I take a small step away.

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