Page 45 of Summer Kisses

"Now if I could just get rid of this hangover."

"Drink up, and your food will be ready shortly."

"You're too good to me," I said, admiring him as he moved around the kitchen, pouring us coffee and throwing toast in the toaster oven.

"It's nothing you don't deserve. I love having you in my space, and you're helping me, remember?"

"How could I forget?" This was an arrangement. And his offer to take care of my needs was part of it. But when he got what he needed for his business, we'd break up. That was always the outcome. Hoping for something else was just a dream. One that would never come true.

Chapter Twelve

BRADY

At my parents', my brothers and Hazel's friends were in the pool, playing volleyball. I'd gotten out of the water to run to the bathroom.

When I came out, Mom asked, "How are things going with Hazel?"

I tried to remember that we were engaged and Mom was asking about a supposedly happy couple. "I'm happy we decided to move in together first. It's only solidified our decision to take the next step."

"I really like her. She fits in with the family."

I laughed. "Because she's been in our lives since we were kids."

"Yeah, but she was just a friend. Now she's your fiancée, soon-to-be wife. That makes things different."

A tingle ran through my body at the idea of Hazel being my wife.

Mom smiled. "I'm happy for you."

"Thanks." I hovered by the counter as she cut up the watermelon, throwing the cubes into a serving bowl.

"You've been different the last few weeks. You're not just happy, but you're more relaxed and confident. As if you've finally found your purpose."

What was my purpose? Working with my family in construction or the video-game show that reached millions of kids? Was it being Hazel's man? I wanted to excel at all of it. "I hadn't thought of it like that."

"It's a hard thing to see when it's happening to you. But I suspect you feel different. Happier. More content."

"I suppose I do." The only thing that would make me feel even better was if Hazel would give me the green light to consummate our relationship. It had taken every bit of will power I had this morning to escape into the bathroom and close the door.

I half expected her to join me in the shower, but she'd gone to the guest bathroom to get ready for the day. I wondered if she'd touched herself in the shower thinking of me.

"I remember how it was for me and your father in the beginning of our relationship. Everything was possible. He wanted to start the business and wasn't deterred by being the only contractor on the island. He was determined to make it work and for us to live our dream."

I sat on the stool, accepting the glass of water she placed in front of me. "Were you happy?"

"I wanted to start a family, but we wanted to get the business off the ground first. He wanted to support a large family, and build a legacy for our family that we could enjoy for generations."

"I think you've done that," I said as I popped a cube of watermelon into my mouth.

"Now I want my kids to be happy." Mom finished filling the bowl and sighed. "Right now, I'm worried about the situation with Dalton."

"He'll be okay," I said with more conviction than I felt.

"When you become a parent, you never stop worrying about your kids."

"I'm settled with Hazel." Except I wasn't. I was lying to my parents about us being together. But I didn't feel as bad about that as I should. Because my heart was genuine; I wanted to be with Hazel. I just wasn't sure she wanted the same thing.

"I want all your brothers to be settled, and Dalton's torn up inside over this baby and Oakley."

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