Page 22 of Summer Kisses

"You don't think the number of followers you have make you successful? And aren't you making money from advertisements?" I'd been watching several shows each night to get more of an understanding of who Brady was. He'd hid this part of him from everyone, and I wanted to know why.

"I'm not sure I know what the definition of success is. Is it the money you make, the relationships you have, or something else?" Brady asked seriously.

"I don't know." I hadn't thought much about success. I enjoyed my job, and I was lucky enough to snag a librarian position on the island so I could continue living close to my grandmother.

He spun me around as the music picked up the pace. "Maybe we can figure it out together."

There was a lot I wanted to do together, but I didn't think we were on the same page. The more time I spent with him, the more I was attracted to him. But I couldn't forget that he didn't see me the same way. I was his best friend, and that would never change.

Chapter Six

BRADY

Iput coffee in to-go mugs and headed over to Hazel's early on Saturday morning. Hazel was moving in with me. It felt a little like the excitement of Christmas morning.

I was finally getting what I wanted under the tree: Hazel living under my roof. It was a necessary step in my plan to blur the lines of real and fake until she finally saw me as something more than a friend or a mutually beneficial arrangement.

It was early, so my brothers hadn't arrived yet. I sensed that she was reluctant to move all her things into my place, and I was prepared to strong-arm her into it if I had to. I wanted her to feel like it was permanent, that there was no going back to her old apartment.

She'd fall in love with my place, the beach, and hopefully me. It was a foolproof plan. Except I couldn't control whether she was attracted to me.

At her front door, I knocked, balancing the coffee mugs in my hands. When she opened the door, Max barked and circled my legs. Hazel snagged the mug from my hand. "Coffee!"

I grinned, following her inside. "It's Brady, actually."

She closed her eyes, savoring the flavor. "Thank you."

"I thought we could get a head start on packing the truck." Her nipples were clearly visible under a white tank top, and her silky pink shorts were edged in lace. I was fairly positive her cheeks would be peeking out if she were to turn around. I really wanted her to turn around. I knew she was comfortable around me, but I didn't think I'd ever seen her in this state of undress. "My brothers will be here soon."

She blinked her eyes open, sipping more of the hot brew. Her hair was uncombed and tangled on one side. "Give me a few seconds. I need caffeine."

"Did I wake you up?" I asked, setting my mug on the counter, taking the time to peruse her place. There were open boxes placed randomly around the room.

"We were out late last night."

I grinned at the memory of her letting go more with each drink, her hands roaming free, open to touching me as the night went on. "It was fun though, right?"

She winced. "I have a bit of a headache."

I grabbed a glass from her cabinet, filling it with ice and water from the dispenser on her fridge. "You're not bringing kitchen stuff?"

"Don't you have everything?"

"I have glasses, plates, silverware, and a few pots and pans. If there's anything special you want to bring?—"

"Not really."

It didn't make sense for her to pack her kitchen stuff. But I wanted to encourage her to bring as much of her personal effects as possible: clothes, books, and knickknacks. "I want you to feel at home."

"This apartment was always an interim option. I want to live in a house." She shrugged. "But you know how expensive real estate is on the island."

I did know but didn't want to say anything about my situation. Our business was doing so well; I was easily able to buy a house with Dalton. But Hazel didn't have a roommate. She'd insisted she preferred her space and would tough it out until she could save up enough money. The problem was that interest rates and housing prices continued to rise.

She didn't make a lot working as a librarian even if it was her dream job.

She set her mug down. "I'll get dressed and comb this rat's nest."

I moved toward the boxes in the living room. "Are these ready to go?"

---