Waiting For Summer

Aiden ran his fingers across his face. “Living in Jersey, I basically grew up in New York. LA was a nice change, but London will be even better.”

The line grew silent. “Dax, are you still there?”

“Yeah, I’m here. Look, as your business manager, I have to question you more than usual about this exhibit because you’re up against some stiff competition. But as your friend, I have to ask you if this is really what you want.”

They’d talked about it before, so Aiden knew where the conversation was headed.

“Yes, I want the position.”

“Okay, man, if you want it, then I want you to have that position just as much as you do. I just always thought that, by now, you’d have moved on from Palmer Lane.”

“You haven’t moved on.”

“I’m in sales. You’re on the creative side. Our worlds are completely different and I know you’ve been approached with opportunities from other companies. Photographers with your talent usually don’t do the same thing for too long. I won’t go there with you right now, but don’t think I don’t notice things.”

Aiden opened the sliding door and stepped out onto the balcony. “And what things do you notice?”

“Well, for starters, did you honestly think I wouldn’t find out that Summer Dupree is the owner of the new Bare Sophistication store that’s opening soon? The same company that happens to be the main inspiration for your exhibit?”

Aiden laughed. “So you do remember when I told you about her.”

“Man, you date even less than I do, and that’s saying a lot because I rarely have time to date. Summer is the only woman you’ve ever mentioned to me.”

“What about Adriana? You actually met Adriana and we dated for two and a half years.”

“You mean the Adriana who left the Palmer Lane office throwing vases at my head even though you’re the one who’d just broken up with her? That Adriana?”

“Any grown woman who throws a temper tantrum in a public place has a lot of growing to do. You should have seen my office.”

“Childish or not, she never stood a chance with you. You’re one of the most down-to-earth guys I know, but around her, you weren’t yourself. You were closed off. I’m not even sure she truly knew you.”

Aiden thought about Daxton’s words. Adriana hadn’t expected the breakup, but he knew it had been the right thing to do. “It wasn’t fair to date her for as long as I did. I know that now.”

“My sister tells me that all men are slow, so don’t blame yourself. Our gender never had a chance at easy breakups. Have you seen Summer yet?”

“I saw her a few days ago at her boutique and I helped her organize a few heavy boxes.”

“That’s good. Hopefully, you can rekindle your friendship with her. I know she means a lot to you.”

Means a lot was an understatement, but Dax didn’t need to know all that. “Thanks, man. If I think of any additional details for the creative portion of the exhibit, I’ll email you later today.”

“Sounds good.”

After disconnecting his call, Aiden stretched his arms before leaning over the balcony to view the red-orange sun setting over beautiful Biscayne Bay. Although the view was fantastic, Aiden had stayed in enough hotels to last a lifetime. He’d contact the realty company for the temporary home he wanted soon.

Movement in his peripheral caught his eye. There was a couple a few balconies over who’d clearly had a much better morning than he had. Not that his morning had been unpleasant. But judging from the looks on the man’s and woman’s faces, their morning had included some extracurricular activities.

He thought back to his conversation with Dax about Adriana. A year after they’d broken up, she’d apparently found someone else and had called him to let him know that she now knew what true love felt like. He’d told her he was happy for her, and her response had been that he should really figure out what or who was blocking his heart. She’d claimed he only shared a part of himself with her, but she always knew he had more to give. He hadn’t said anything to her at the time, but instead, he’d remained silent while she hashed out her feelings. Feelings that he was all too familiar with. She’d said that, at times, it seemed like he didn’t really care about her at all. That wasn’t true. He had cared about her, even if his heart had been blocked. He told her such, but she didn’t seem to listen. He didn’t push the issue because, unfortunately, she wasn’t the first woman to tell him that.

Seventeen years ago...

“I’m so excited we’re here,” Rochelle said with a squeal when they walked into the dance. Aiden only smiled and tried his best not to get annoyed by the way she was tugging on his arms.

“It’s the last dance we’ll have before high school starts. Aren’t you excited Aiden?”

“Thrilled.” He hoped his voice didn’t sound as nonchalant as he really felt.

“Why can’t you at least pretend to be happy that you’re at the dance with me?”

“I am happy to be at the dance with you.”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “Then why are you looking around the room like you’re trying to find someone else? You better not be looking for Summer.”

“Why can’t I look for Summer? Aren’t you going to look for your friends?”

“My friends are all girls. No boy and girl should be best friends. It doesn’t make sense.”

He sighed. “I have guy friends, too, so how about you look for your friends and I’ll look for my friends.”

When he stopped looking around the room for Summer and looked at Rochelle, he noticed how sad she looked.

“I’m sorry,” he said sincerely. “Do you want to dance now and we’ll find our friends later?”

“Yes,” she said with a big smile, before grabbing his hand and leading him to the dance floor. He really did like Rochelle, but he didn’t understand why she always got so upset about Summer. They were just friends.

“This is nice,” Rochelle said when they were on their eighth song. Aiden discreetly looked around the room as she talked. Summer should be here already. Last time he’d talked to her, they’d agreed to arrive with their dates around the same time.

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