Page 72 of Summer Affair
She was special to him, this she knew, sincerely believed that he was enjoying her every as bit as much as she was enjoying him, but she had to prepare herself that the end was coming.
Then there were other things she hadn’t told him. Things that, if he hadn’t already decided that their expiration had come, would close that door. Then there was the more complicated question she’d been thinking about more and more.
Was it possible to believe in love but not marriage?
Piper snapped her fingers in front of Jillian’s face. “You’re doing it. You’re getting so caught up in your head that you’re not letting things naturally unfold and you’re going to miss something potentially great. Take it from me, don’t be so anxious about what might be coming. Why worry about something that might never happen? You’ll wind up worrying about something twice.”
Jillian looked out to the backyard and found Clay, once again watching her, smiling as he bobbed in the water. Piper’s advice was solid. Jillian decided she’d rather put her heart on the line and see where this thing led than miss out on what could be.
Chapter Twenty
Resolutions from Jillian’s Journal
Remember that life is a one-time offer, use it well.
The fire crackled, sending a burst of embers into the night’s sky. The smell of the burning logs, lingering briquettes, and the glow of the fire brought Clay back to a time when life was simpler.
Sitting around a fire pit, eating burgers, and making home-churned ice cream was how the Eastons would spend every Sunday night throughout the summer. His dad would man the grill, always letting Clay be his co-pilot. Owen and his mom would churn the ice cream. Each brother played a part, which was how family was supposed to work, his dad would always say. There wasn’t a time Clay could remember when his dad let his work overshadow what was important—family.
Clay was doing his best to follow the conversation, but the truth was he couldn’t take his eyes off Jillian. She was sitting on one of the loungers across the pool in a pretty sweater and jeans she’d changed into when the sun had gone down. The sweater was gray, the jeans fitted, and her hair was hanging loose around her face.
Darcy and Piper were saying something, but Jillian looked up and caught his eye. She smiled and something in his brain glitched.
His family had seen some significant changes over the past year or two. Gage had grabbed on to his second chance at love and run with it. Piper had brought new life to Josh’s world. The guy actually left the office before five, always making sure to be home in time for dinner with his wife. And Kylie? Man, his niece was something special. That kid had them all tied around her little finger with a single bat of the eye.
And then there was Jillian. Clay was staring down something good with her, scared as shit he’d screw it up.
“You’re quieter than normal,” Rhett said, sitting across from Clay, a beer in hand.
“Coach called. I’ve been given the all-clear on my knee and can start back at practice as early as the week after next. And if things go well, I’ll be ready by the start of the season.”
In as early as two weeks he could be on a plane headed back to his normal life, and Jillian and Sammy would be here, within throwing distance of his family. Just a couple of months ago he was counting down the days until he received this call. Now he was looking for more time.
“This is great,” Gage said.
“You’re right. This is great news.”
“Then what’s up with the ‘I’m about to cry like a little girl’ expression?”
“Because he doesn’t want to leave,” Josh, in all his wisdom, correctly pointed out.
“Explain,” Gage said. His hair was messed up because he’d probably been kissing on his wife minutes ago.
“There’s a part that wants to stay right here. Look around.” He intended for it to imply his family, but his eyes went right to Jillian. “You all get this every week. I get it, what, once a month? If my schedule allows.”
“I get that, but you don’t have a choice,” Gage said, as if Clay didn’t know. “You’re a free agent, which means if you sit out any games this season, if you reinjure your knee, if you even appear like you’re not completely back, you can kiss that big, fat contract a farewell. I’ve worked hard, endlessly in fact, for that big, fat contract.”
“Oh, I know. You only remind me every few days.”
“Then at least pretend that you’re listening.”
“He can’t,” Owen said, grabbing a soda from the cooler. “He’s got a woman on the mind.”
Clay ran a hand down his face. She was on more than just his mind—and that was the problem.
“You tell her?” Josh asked, taking a pull from his longneck.
“No.”What was the point?“I’m leaving and Jillian’s life is here. She’s even digging deeper roots with her tasting room. She deserves more than a drive-by relationship. She deserves a man who’s around for the hard stuff.”
