Waiting For Summer
She looked at him in confusion. “About the lingerie pieces or about the decor of the shop?”
“Both. Neither. I guess both indirectly. I told you that I’m in Miami to feature in the new Palmer Lane Photography exhibit, but I didn’t mention that I currently don’t have any idea of what the theme of my portion of the exhibit will be. And since I’m the main featured fashion photographer, it has to be a great one.”
“I just figured you would be showing photos from some of your many travels. Didn’t you just go to Greece not too long ago?”
He quirked an eyebrow at her. “We haven’t talked in a while, so I never got to tell you about Greece. Have you been keeping tabs on me?”
She shrugged. “No, but Aaliyah’s a huge fan of yours so she keeps all of us updated on the fashion industry.”
“I think I just saw some of her beauty shots in Cosmopolitan magazine.”
She giggled. “You read Cosmo?”
“Only because I have to keep abreast of the competition.”
“Aaliyah was featured in last month’s issue for a contest they had. She’s a freelance photographer right now, but she’s hoping the Cosmo feature leads to more. If you tell her that you spotted her work, she’ll probably pass out from excitement.”
“So, since Aaliyah is keeping you updated on the fashion industry, when my name got brought up, did you tell her we knew each other?”
She slightly worried her bottom lip, then soothed the bite with her tongue. “Of course I did.”
She’s lying. They might both be older—and hopefully wiser—but the quirks she’d had when she lied were still the same.
“That’s funny, because they looked shocked to see me. I wonder why they all looked so surprised if they already knew we knew each other.”
“Hmm, I can’t imagine why they were surprised.” She walked over to some small boxes sitting on a built-in shelf and began reading the labels. “So, what’s your idea?”
He followed her cue and dropped the subject. “Well, I only arrived in Miami a couple days ago, but I think it’s safe to say the fashion in this city is definitely different than what I’ve seen in other cities. The fashion in Miami is sexy. The colors are bold with heavy Latin influence. The sex appeal in this city alone is enough to make a photographer want to capture the true essence of Miami culture. I’m proud of all my work, but being here makes me want to uncage the fashion culture and represent the true beauty of Miami.”
He stepped closer to her. “If the company accepts my idea, I’ll call the exhibit Miami Unleashed and I’d spend the next few months capturing true Miami fashion. The raw. The weird. The reckless. The sexy.”
“I think that’s an amazing idea,” she said with a killer smile that he hadn’t seen in years. Man, how he’d missed that smile. He couldn’t even count how many times he’d thought of that smile when he’d been away in a foreign country on a photo assignment.
“What if a few of the lingerie pieces you showed me today were featured in the exhibit? We could set up a photo shoot with models and the works. I could even talk to my business manager about including in your contract for you to be able to hang up pieces in your boutique that aren’t chosen to be a part of the exhibit. It only seems fitting that Bare Sophistication be included in Miami Unleashed.”
It was true that the pieces of lingerie he’d seen would be perfect for the idea that was brewing in his mind. But that wasn’t the only reason he wanted to include Bare Sophistication in his idea. There was a time in life when he’d thought he’d always be a friend of Summer’s. That there would never be a time when they were apart. He understood that things had happened in their past that couldn’t be erased. However, spending eight years feeling like somewhat distant acquaintances rather than the best friends they used to be was more than disappointing. It made him feel empty inside. Alone.
He couldn’t quite read the look on Summer’s face, but judging from what he could see in her eyes, she was intrigued.
“Would you really be willing to include Bare Sophistication in your exhibit?” she asked.
“Absolutely,” he said without hesitation. He still needed approval, but he was sure the folks at Palmer Lane would love his idea.
He was watching her so closely, he was able to pinpoint the exact moment she truly believed in his plan. “Okay, then I think it’s a great idea and Bare Sophistication would be honored to be a part of it.”
“Great! Let’s shake on it until I’m able to have the contract drawn up.” He held her eyes as he extended his hand. The minute their hands touched, he felt the same emotions flow through his body that he’d felt when they’d hugged earlier.
“I’ve been meaning to tell you that I’m sorry the documentary that was being done on you fell through,” she said removing her hand from his. “It would have been awesome.”
“You told me that via email last year.”
“I know, but I wanted to make sure I told you in person.”
“Thank you.” His eyes dropped to her lips and lingered there for a few seconds.
“Well, then,” she said suddenly, as she clasped her hands together. “Now that we’ve settled the initial awkwardness of catching up, are you ready to help me move some boxes?”
He laughed when she didn’t wait for him to respond, but instead, got to work. As they fell into a comfortable silence, Aiden couldn’t help but think about how well they worked together on projects in the past. As a matter of fact, he couldn’t recall ever working with anyone as well as he’d worked with Summer. They had a lot to talk about and he was sure she’d rather ignore discussing certain topics. However, too much time had passed and too many memories were left unaddressed. He needed her back in his life. Not as an acquaintance. Not as close friend. He wanted her in every capacity.
Chapter 3
Twenty years ago...
Summer ignored the large raindrops falling from the dark sky as she raced across her backyard as fast as she could in her unlaced gym shoes. It was way too late for a nine-year-old to be out, but whenever things got bad at home her best friend was the only one who could calm her down. She felt bad for leaving her sisters at home, but escaping the verbal wrath of their mother was something Summer had gotten really good at the past year.
Her mother, Sonia Dupree, was a piece of work. When Sonia wasn’t telling Summer’s sister Winter that she wasn’t beautiful enough or her sister Autumn that she wasn’t smart enough, she was making sure Summer realized that she would never share the close bond that her older sisters shared with each other. She wasn’t special, and the sooner she realized it, the better. Winter and Autumn were born eleven months apart, so they were extremely close. Summer only trailed behind Winter by three years and Autumn by two, but sometimes it felt like there were even more years between them.
When she reached her best friend’s house, she went behind the shed that was connected to the main house to climb the small rope ladder hanging from the side. When she reached the top, she climbed the short distance to her friend’s window and lightly tapped the glass. It wasn’t the first time Summer had shown up in the middle of the night in tears after a fight with her mother.
“What happened?” Aiden asked as he helped her inside and wrapped a blanket around her.
“My mom is arguing with my sisters again and my dad won’t be home from his work trip until tomorrow. They are only fighting with her because of me. It’s all my fault.”
In between her sobs, Summer explained that her mother had arrived home looking to pick a fight with her daughters. Tonight, Summer was the object of her wrath because she had told her mother that she was only watching television because she had finished her homework early. Summer knew better. She wished she had cut off the television as soon as she heard the key turn in the front door indicating Sonia was home.
The yelling had quickly escalated when Summer couldn’t find the remote fast enough to cut off the program. Despite the fact that her mother initially began arguing with her, Winter and Autumn deflected the argument so that Sonia wouldn’t continue to yell at Summer. Of course, that only made Sonia angrier, and as soon as she caught on to the deflection, her wrath turned back to Summer.
“Your sisters can handle it,” Aiden said as he cut on a lamp and sat with Summer on the floor. “You know how your mom gets. All the yelling will wear her out soon.”
“I just don’t understand why she’s like this. Why can’t she be like the other moms and give us hugs and tell us that she loves us? All she does is yell and tell us how much she hates that we were ever born.”
“Everyone isn’t meant to be a parent. Don’t give her that power and let her upset you. She isn’t worth it.”
Summer glanced at Aiden with tear-streaked cheeks and instantly began to feel better. “You know, if we weren’t in the same grade I’d swear you were a grown-up.” Aiden wasn’t only mature for his age, he towered over most of the boys in their grade.
Aiden laughed and began imitating their fourth grade teacher who was constantly telling him he needed to act his age. But that was Aiden. Nine going on twenty-nine. Her dad, Vail Dupree, always said that Aiden was an old soul trapped in a young body.
“Thanks for making me laugh,” Summer said when her laughter began to die down. “You always make me feel better.”
“That’s my job as your best friend.” Aiden stood and walked over to his dresser. “I’ve been saving my allowance all year to get you this gift. I was going to wait until Christmas in a few months, but maybe you should have it now.”
She opened the small white box he handed her and gasped when she noticed a gold locket that had Best Friends engraved on it. When she opened the locket, she found a picture of the two of them at summer camp a couple of months ago on one side and her sisters on the other.
“How did you have enough money to buy this?” Her eyes grew wide. “Unless you didn’t buy it.”
“Relax, Dupree. I didn’t steal it,” Aiden said with a smile. “My dad gave me a couple months’ allowance early so that I could get it before the store sold out. Do you like it?”
“I more than like it. I love it. How could I not love it when you included pictures of my three favorite people?” She didn’t feel a need to say that of the three, Aiden was her most favorite.
“Every time you feel like you’re alone and need to escape, look at this locket and know that I’m right there with you.”
She studied the locket a little more before she glanced at Aiden. “It’s the best gift I’ve ever gotten.”
His mouth curled to the side in a crooked smile that she was starting to like more and more each day. Even though he’d always be Aiden, her friend who happened to be a boy, she was starting to see why so many girls had a crush on him. Ever since Rochelle Slater told all the girls during summer camp that she knew Aiden liked her because he would always give her a special side smile. Summer had then wondered why Aiden gave her the same smile if that’s what he gave the girls he liked.
“I’m glad you like it.” He playfully shoved her shoulder. “Just remember around Christmastime that I gave you your gift early.”
“I won’t forget.” She handed him the locket to clasp around her neck. “I have to go back home, but I’ll see you tomorrow at school.”
She gave Aiden one last hug before tying up her shoes and climbing out the window. The rain had slowed down, so it wasn’t as slippery outside as it was when she had left her house.
Once she reached the end of Aiden’s driveway, she waved goodbye and tucked her locket into her shirt before running home. Running was quickly becoming one of her favorite things to do. Not only did running help her get away from her mother, but when she ran, she felt free. Alive. As if everything in the world would be okay. Running helped her clear her mind and made her remember that despite the fact that her mom didn’t really love her, she still had her dad and her sisters. She didn’t know what she’d do without them. Or Aiden, she thought. She didn’t know what she’d do without him, either.
Present Day...
Every time you feel like you’re alone and need to escape, look at this locket and know that I’m right there with you. Summer thought about the words that were voiced to her nearly twenty years ago. Words that had offered her comfort in a time of need. Throughout the years, every time she’d felt alone or needed an escape, his soothing voice would drift into her mind.
She probably shouldn’t wear her locket while she jogged. Anything could happen to it and she cherished it more than any other piece of jewelry she owned. However, she felt naked when she wasn’t wearing it. Like a piece of her was missing.
Glancing at her Fitbit, she realized she’d already been jogging for over an hour and the sun was starting to set. She needed to head back to her condo if she was going to get any unpacking accomplished today. Three months there and she still hadn’t fully unpacked her kitchen or bedroom.
As soon as she arrived back home, she kicked off her sandy gym shoes and walked into her bedroom. She covered her ears from the blast of music that shot through her walls.
“I swear this place has the thinnest drywall known to man,” she shouted to herself. It never failed that every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, Summer’s neighbor would blast music as loudly as he could. On Sundays he played orchestra music, Thursdays he played soundtracks from musicals, and on Tuesdays—her least favorite day—he cranked up the opera.
Danni had decided to go to a Zumba class with Nicole and Aaliyah. Summer hadn’t gone with them in hopes of having some time to herself after her run. But with the opera music so loud, there was no way she would be getting any R & R.
“Mr. Higgins, can you please turn it down,” she yelled as she banged on her wall. She knew he could hear her. When she’d first moved into her condo, he’d startled her when he’d knocked on the wall and answered a question that she’d asked herself. Her complex was located in between downtown Miami and Miami Beach. It was supposedly one of the best, which was why she was thrilled when she’d seen the reasonable price of her place.
She’d missed the unstated disclaimer that having a top-floor apartment in the corner came with thin walls and an inconsiderate neighbor. There were only three condos in her wing of the building. When she was told that one condo was occupied by a professional dancer who often traveled and the other was occupied by a seventy-five-year-old man, she didn’t think she’d have to worry about music being played too loudly.
When he didn’t respond to her second knock, she went into the hallway to knock on his actual door. The music stopped for a couple seconds, so she used the silence to her advantage. “Mr. Higgins, it’s Summer Dupree. I know we haven’t personally met, but I’m your neighbor. Can you please turn down the music a little?”
She waited for a minute with no response from her neighbor. Just as she was walking away, she heard the door crack open.
“Mr. Higgins?”
“What do you want?”
She swallowed back a gasp at the harshness in his voice. He’d only opened the door about a couple centimeters wide. “I was wondering if you could turn down the music.”
“No.”
Summer blinked a few times. “No? Not at all? I wanted to ask you before I called management.”
She’d barely gotten out all her words before he began laughing at her. “Foolish girl, you’ll do no such thing. I’ve been living here for over thirty years. That’s probably longer than you’ve been alive.”
“I understand that,” she said trying to remain reasonable. “But my bedroom and bathroom share a wall with your condo, so every time you play the music that loud, the picture frames in my bedroom shake and things fall out of my bathroom cabinet. A few of my accent pieces have even broken from falling off my dresser.”
“Superglue and permanent adhesive.”
“What does that mean?”
He groaned in frustration. “Superglue and permanent adhesive.” He said it slower as if it would suddenly make sense to her.
“Maybe I should just call management.” She was about to head back to her condo before he explained himself.
“I suggest you buy some superglue and adhesive to stick all of your important belongings to your dresser so that they won’t fall.”
“Excuse me?” Who was this guy? If he weren’t so rude, she’d compliment him on his voice. The words he spoke were normal, but the tone of his voice sounded as if he’d walked out of a Shakespearean play.
“And while you’re shopping for glue and adhesive, you should get a better cabinet, too. I’ve known current management since they were babies in diapers. Family-owned business. If you need their number, you can find it on the bulletin board of the first-floor foyer. I also ask that you refrain from knocking on my walls and door for the rest of the night. It disrupts my euphoria when I’m listening to my music.”
The door slammed in her face before she could say anything else. “Unbelievable.” She walked back to her condo even more annoyed than she had been before she’d knocked on Mr. Higgins’s door. She’d only met her other neighbor once. The dancer had claimed that Mr. Higgins was a piece of work, but had assured Summer that he’d grow on her.
“Ha!” It was hard for him to grow on her when she could barely hear herself think. She contemplated heading to her boutique to get some work done there, instead. After showing Aiden the idea she’d had for the boutique a couple of days ago, she’d gotten even more fired up to turn her decor visions into a reality.
She sat in her plush round chair next to her bedroom window overlooking the beautiful city of Miami. She needed to hop in the shower, but she couldn’t stop her brain from going a mile a minute. Summer had always handled stress well, but as of late, she couldn’t seem to stop her brain from overthinking everything she had to do. Usually she compartmentalized her feelings into categories so that she could tackle one issue or area at a time.
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of her lavender notebook and favorite ballpoint pen. She’d often used them to jot down her thoughts back when she was living in New York.
She’d enjoyed her career working at a top fashion public relations firm. The firm had allowed her to split her time between their New York and Miami offices. However, she’d known it was time to move on and pursue her ultimate dream of opening up a Bare Sophistication lingerie boutique in Miami.
Aiden...
Her mind drifted to him, as it often did. With his current company having a New York office and her previous company being in New York, she found it surprising that with the exception of that random reunion moment, the only time their paths had crossed was a couple of days ago. Not that surprising, since you were the reason he kept his distance.
Just as she began jotting down decor ideas for the boutique, her iPhone rang.
“Hey, Danni, is everything okay?”
“Everything’s fine. Zumba was great, but Aaliyah was in a bad mood throughout most of the class. After the workout, we went out for veggie and fruit smoothies and she told Nicole and me that she just lost a big client.”
“Please tell me it’s not the cosmetics company she was excited about. The one with the new organic makeup releasing in two months who wanted her to capture photos of the entire line for their website.”
“That’s the one,” Danni said with a sigh. “She’s really disappointed so I wanted to see if we had a few hours tomorrow night to spare to take her out and hopefully cheer her up.”
“I think that’s a great idea. We can always spare time for her.”
“Thanks, Summer! I’ll let the girls know.”
Summer was still thinking about Aaliyah minutes after she disconnected the call. All of them were in the fashion and beauty industry and even though they had established careers, each of their careers was still a work in progress and ever evolving. Their work wasn’t easy, and every day Summer thought about how she could highlight her friends’ talents in Bare Sophistication instead of just utilizing their help with getting the shop ready for the grand opening.
Without focusing too much on what she was drawing or writing, Summer began to let her pen flow across the current page of her notebook. She thought about the Chicago lingerie boutique and the unique way her sisters tapped into the bachelorette and bridal business by incorporating masquerade lingerie parties into the boutique’s services. She then thought about Aiden’s idea to feature Bare Sophistication in his photography exhibit to represent the sexiness of Miami—and the exposure they would receive if everything went as planned.
Rubbing her locket with her left hand, she let her right hand do most of the work, further thinking about the beauty trade shows she’d attended throughout the years. She leaned over to her small bookcase and pulled out her tablet to view the details she had regarding her budget and photos of the layout of her shop. It wasn’t until her hand stopped moving that she noticed the music on the opposite side of her bedroom wall had actually gotten louder than it was before.
She stared at the wall as if it were a mirror staring back at her. Glancing back down at her notebook, she looked at the preliminary plan she’d present to the girls tomorrow.
There was no guarantee that they would be interested in her plan, but if they were, there was no doubt in her mind that Bare Sophistication Miami had just found its niche in the industry. “Well, well, you crazy old man. Guess your opera music served me well tonight.”
Chapter 4
“Thanks for the detailed email yesterday,” Daxton said on the other end of the phone. “I presented your idea to the CEO and the rest of the team and they loved the idea of Miami Unleashed for your feature exhibit.”
Aiden raised his fist in victory as he peered out of the floor-to-ceiling window in the penthouse suite of the hotel he was staying at. It had been three days since he’d seen Summer and he couldn’t wait to tell her the news. “I was hoping you’d say that. And I have complete creative freedom?”
“Yes, you do. I just need you to keep me abreast of your plan of action because we’re already working on concepts for the other two photographers being showcased.”
“I’ll make sure I keep you in the loop, but just like I wrote in the email, the overall idea is to represent the sexiness of Miami. I want to show the raw fashion. The somewhat unorthodox fashion. The fashion that may lie beneath the clothing. A lot of folks don’t look at Miami as a fashion capital like LA and New York, so I want to change their view through my photos. Which is why a few pieces will be photos of Bare Sophistication’s lingerie collection.”
“I meant to ask you about that.” Aiden could hear Dax typing on his laptop. “I did some research and although Bare Sophistication has a location in Chicago, the Miami one hasn’t opened yet. How did you hear about this place and why will it be a central part of your exhibit?”
Aiden cleared his throat. “You’ve never asked me details about my work before.”
“Well, we’ve never given you complete creative control before. You’re already one of our top fashion photographers and even though you travel out of the country for us a lot, you said your next move is nailing a high-profile corporate position. You want to be the creative director of our travel and fashion photographers in our London office. That’s a huge responsibility.”
“I know it is, but after eight years of being a fashion photographer for Palmer Lane, I’m ready to step into a new role. Besides, now that Palmer Lane has partnered with Rogan Studios, the idea of merging film and photo is too good to pass up.” And it puts me one step closer to fulfilling my dream of filming a documentary.
“I’m sure the London partnership will stream down to the other offices within the next two years. So why not get more involved in the New York office like you are in LA? They’ve wanted you in New York permanently for a while now, since the fashion scene is larger. You’re traveling to New York all the time anyway, and eventually my new role will place me there permanently.”