Page 16 of Summer in Kentbury
“That’s a little forward, but we could discuss it.” I freeze. The voice isn’t coming from my phone. It’s deeper, right behind me, rich with humor and a touch of surprise. My heart leaps into my throat as I whirl around, my face flushing a spectacular shade of redwhen I see Sinclair standing there, an eyebrow raised with a smirk playing on his lips.
The phone nearly slips from my grasp, and for a split second, I wish the floor would open up and swallow me whole. “Sin— Sinclair. I, uh, didn’t see you there. I was just—” I stammer, the words tangling in my throat. “My sister . . .”
“No need to explain, Lavender. Sounds like an interesting proposal, though.”
My embarrassment morphs into a nervous laugh, the absurdity of the situation washing over me. “Ruby and the gossip and . . . it’s obviously a joke. I mean, you and I naked. Nah,” I manage to say, though the half-truth hangs awkwardly between us.
“Of course,” he replies, his smile broadening. He steps closer, his presence disarmingly comfortable. “But if you ever decide you’re not kidding—let’s just say I’m open to discuss it.”
He winks and passes by into the bathroom, leaving me standing in the hallway, slightly dazed and more flustered than I’d like to admit.
Did he really say he’s open to it?
No, the real question is, am I open to it and actually contemplating sex with Sinclair?
Chapter Eight
Lavender
After my embarrassingencounter with Sinclair, I spend the rest of the day at Knightly’s house. Staying for the next six weeks after what happened doesn’t seem like a great idea anymore. It’s around eleven when I finally find the courage to head back to the Bed and Breakfast. Holden Miller, the guy who was too old for me, buttoo hot not to have a crush on when I was in middle school, drives me to the B&B.
If he wasn’t Knightly’s brother-in-law, I would think about having that summer-rebound fling with him. I mean, it’d be pretty awkward if I ever came back to visit her family, wouldn’t it?
Well, not as awkward as having to face Sinclair, I think as I step into the B&B and see him sitting by the living room, eyes focused on his computer and lips pressed together. Is he working instead of trying to relax while in Kentbury? This man needs a serious lesson on how to live.
Not that I will be imparting it. After what happened today, I need to figure out where to move—or live temporarily. I’m officially quitting the summer camp. Well, technically I haven’t signed anything just yet, so it’s okay, right?
I tiptoe toward the stairs, hoping to sneak past Sinclair unnoticed. My heart races as I carefully place each foot, holding my breath in anticipation. Just as I’m about to reach the first step, a deep voice comes from behind me. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re avoiding me.”
I freeze, my eyes widening as I slowly turn around. Sinclair towers over me, his tall frame looming intimidatingly. I tilt my head back, craning my neck to meet his gaze. “Umm, not at all. No,” I stammer, my voice wavering slightly.
Sinclair raises an eyebrow. “Double negative is a yes,” he teases, his tone playful and flirtatious.
I feel the heat rushing to my cheeks as I try to maintain my composure. “That wasn’t a doublenegative,” I argue, crossing my arms defensively. “There was definitely a slight pause between the not and no. And why would I be avoiding you? I mean, in a town like Kentbury, it’s impossible to do such a thing.”
This is just like when I tried to sneak out of the house and my parents would catch me in the act. I never got away with it, but at least they never got a confession out of me. It’s not like I actually left the house—I always failed.
Sinclair leans in closer. “Yet, you mentioned something over dinner about leaving town soon—after our embarrassing encounter,” he reminds me, his voice low and enticing.
I groan, burying my face in my hands. “God, I forgot this town is too gossipy for its own good,” I mumble, my words muffled by my palms. I peek through my fingers, meeting Sinclair’s amused gaze.
He chuckles, reaching out and gently pulling my hands away from my face. “Hey, it’s okay. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable,” he assures me, his tone sincere. “I just wanted to clear the air and make sure we’re good.”
I nod, taking a deep breath to calm my nerves. “We’re good,” I confirm, offering him a tentative smile. “I’m just . . . a little embarrassed, that’s all.”
Sinclair grins, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Don’t be. It’s not every day a beautiful woman propositions me,” he jokes, winking playfully.
I feel a flash of irritation, my eyes narrowing. “I never propositioned you. You were eavesdropping,” I clarify. “Someone saw us by the lake, made up some corny story, and my sister was telling me to have sexwith you. She called it a rebound fling . . . or something like that. I was actually trying to explain to her how ridiculous it was to even think about it.”
He crosses his arms, giving me an ‘I don’t believe you’ look, one eyebrow raised skeptically. “Sure, that’s how it happened.”
I throw my hands up in exasperation. “I don’t need you to believe me. Though, you were the one who said you’d be willing to negotiate.”
“I said open to discuss it . . .” He gives me a thoughtful face, tapping his chin. “More like?—”
“Can we stop discussing that awkward moment?” I interrupt, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
“We have to. According to my sisters, I can’t have sex with you,” he says, shrugging.
