Page 51 of More With You

A grin breaks across Ben’s face and his eyes lighten with amusement. “He’ll have to get himself a real job. Minimum wage.” He pretends to shudder.

“You have a twisted sense of humor; do you know that?” I frown at him. “I thought you were being serious! I was picturing men in black chasing him out of town or tying him up in a storm drain for twenty-four hours.”

Ben chuckles. “We’re not gangsters, Summer. Well, not all of us.”

“Will that really work? According to Levi, your parents already hate me. Why would your dad do anything for my benefit?” I’m not so sure we can count on the benevolence of Benjamin Senior.

“First off, my parents haven’t met you yet. Secondly, Levi is really closer to my mom. My dad won’t admit it, but he thinks Levi’s a cockroach. Can’t stand him sniffing around my mom, but he doesn’t say anything because Levi keeps her busy, and he gets some peace.”

I give Ben a doubtful look and he assures, “Don’t worry. It’ll work.”

“No offense, but I won’t be convinced until I actually see it happen, or don’t see Levi ever again, which is more or less the same thing,” I reply. “But hey, if it does get Levi off my back, once and for all, then I can chalk it up as one positive mark on the patriarch’s board.”

Ben nods with all the confidence I need to see. “One-hundred-percent success. Levi lives and breathes his family’s money. If that’s yanked away, he’ll have to play nice or he’ll never get the cash cow milking again.”

“Has anyone ever told you, you’re incredibly poetic?” I tease.

“Oh, all the time.”

I arch an eyebrow at him. “I’m sorry you’re caught up in this again.”

“What do you mean? We’re part of the same net now, Summer. If you get tangled in something, I get tangled.” He leans forward and kisses my forehead, soothing my eyebrow back down to its usual position. “I’m just glad you’re okay.”

“How’s Grace?”

“Fast asleep. She had a hell of a day.” His face softens. “She couldn’t stop talking about you.”

My heart performs a little somersault of excitement. “Really?”

“Cross my heart.” Ben dips a hand into his pocket and pulls out a cluster of small, decorated seashells. “She wanted you to have these, but you can’t tell her I’ve shown you them. She wants to give them to you herself.”

I touch the little shells, moved by the gesture. “I won’t say a word.”

“You’re safe, Summer. I’ll keep you safe.” He puts the shells back into his pocket and wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me into his lap. Sat astride his thighs, he peers up into my eyes and brushes away the curtains of blonde hair that fall forward. “I mean it, Summer. I love you. I won’t let anyone, or anything hurt you.”

I blink, too stunned to say anything for a moment.

He smiles shyly. “It’s okay, you don’t have to say it back. I just wanted you to know that’s how I feel.”

“I thought it was too soon,” I whisper, clasping a hand to my heart.

He shrugs. “When you know, you know. I knew it the night we walked on the beach.”

I feel it too, but I’m not brave enough to tell him yet. I know the risks of saying those three words too soon, even if I’m certain of him and of my feelings. Still, he doesn’t seem fazed by my reticence. I guess that’s one of the things I like the most about him—he’s so self-assured. He doesn’t need me to rush; he just wants me to know what’s in his heart, to ease any nerves I might have. Honestly, it’s pretty hot.

Taking hold of his face, I press a fierce kiss to his mouth and hope he can feel it in my kiss, I love you, too.

BEN

If I could get away with it, I’d wring Levi’s neck with my bare hands. This is the last time I’ll stand by and let him torment Summer like that. I’m going to swallow my own pride and ensure that no one acknowledges the name “Levi Montrose” ever again. He won’t even find his name on Z-list invitations. There won’t be anywhere else for him to go but further and further down, once I’m done with him. My father is powerful, and Levi is going to get a taste of that power.

Did you think you could keep pushing my buttons, Levi, and I wouldn’t bite back? I know you think you’re the son that my parents have always wanted—the good ole boy of their dreams, with your lofty, political aspirations and your conservative mindset. Everything I’m not. But do you want to know what trumps all of that, Levi? It’s blood. Blue blood. The one thing people like my parents care about above all else. And yours, my old friend, is a feeble shade of red. Flecked with fool’s gold, maybe, but it might as well be water to the circles that my family runs in.

Summer is inside, sleeping naked with the striped sheets tangled around her like a comforting serpent. I’ll join her soon, and hold her until the sun comes up, sharing my warmth with her. But, it’s nice out here on the porch, where I can watch the water and think. The calm of it is the only thing stopping me from driving to Levi’s and doing something I might regret. It’s better to play the long game with him, so the payoff will be even greater.

Still, I’m glad Summer can sleep. Thinking of her chases away the red mist, fixing it with the golden tones of her bare skin: a delicate blend of rose beige, where the pink undertones show through, a dab of sienna, and a dose of warm ivory. A spray of burnt umber for her freckles, that aren’t confined to her beautiful face. I’ve explored so many, mapping them like astronomers map the stars. Stealing some of that angry red, I transform it into the warming burn of copper with a touch of orange and cadmium yellow, streaking it through the gold hues that balance the color of her hair. It calms me, turning something painful into something beautiful.

Nevertheless, if Levi raises his ugly head again, I won’t just destroy his reputation.

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