Page 32 of Summer Kisses

She took a bite of her eggs topped with sliced avocado and gazed out the window. "This view is magnificent. It's like being on a permanent vacation, walking Max on the beach, and then eating here where we can see the waves and the beach."

"It is spectacular." I worked hard for years in Dad's construction business, and I'd saved to buy a piece of heaven for myself. Ivy always knew when the best places were coming on the market and would let us know before anyone else. It was the only way I'd gotten this place. And I was glad I had it now. I had one thing Hazel wanted.

"I could get used to living here."

"You don't have to move out when our arrangement is over," I told her again. "I could use a roommate."

Hazel gave me a look. "Could you?"

I shrugged. "Dalton's moving out."

She raised a brow. "And you can't live here on one income?"

"I could." But I didn't want to.

"I'm sure you'll enjoy having the place all to yourself for a while. Assuming that Dalton moves in with his girlfriend for good."

I nodded. "I've never lived by myself though. Our house growing up was overflowing, and I always had roommates incollege. Then Dalton and I moved in together as soon as I graduated."

"I hadn't thought about that."

I didn't want just any roommate. I wanted her.

We finished our meal in silence. At some point, Max trod off to the living room to jump on the couch to take his morning nap.

"I think Max is going to fall in love with this place. He probably won't want to move out when the time comes."

I grinned at her. "That's part of my evil plan."

She smiled. "You've always wanted my dog."

"I can't deny that." When we'd gone to the shelter to look for one, I had this weird feeling that we were picking out the perfect dog for us, but we weren't a couple. Just friends. So Max had gone to live with her, and I was relegated to a few walks and visits a week. It wasn't enough.

"What are your plans for the day?" Hazel asked me.

"I thought we could unpack and then film more shows."

"Will we need to go to the library to use the booth?" Hazel asked, sipping her coffee.

"I set up a booth here at the house."

Her brow furrowed. "Oh, I didn't realize."

"I like having one here, but I like being able to get out of the house too." Plus, Hazel was at the library. It gave me an excuse to see her more.

"I can fulfill my side of the bargain."

I wanted her to enjoy what she was doing, not feel like this was some kind of an obligation. "Only if you enjoy it."

"It was surprisingly fun. And it's cool that the viewers liked it too."

"We might have to answer some of their questions today. They want to know who you are and when we started dating." I figured our childhood history would be interesting to most of my viewers.

"Then let's do it. I want to give the viewers what they want."

We cleaned up after we were finished eating, and then Hazel excused herself to take a shower. I prepared the video I wanted to use for our filming.

"Are you ready to film?" Hazel appeared in the doorway, wearing frayed jean shorts and a graphic T that saidGamer."Should I wear something nicer?"

---