“Ruth.”
“That’s the one.” Summer nodded. “But if you’re not going to be coming back tonight, let me know.”
“Why do you assume I won’t be back?”
“Um, because you didn’t come home the last time you met with Ruth.” Summer wrapped a towel around her, sitting down on a sun lounger. “Just be careful, okay?”
“Ruth’s good.” Jade nodded. “She has to be to want to see me again.”
“If you need me, I’ll be here. With my phone by me all night.”
“Spend the evening with Prue.” Jade sat forward. “I already feel like I’m getting in the way.”
“You’re not,” Summer lied. “Now that everything worked itself out…you’re welcome here. You know that.” Summer was trying to take Prue’s advice. It wasn’t easy but it did give her less of a headache. Jade was Jade, nobody could change her.
“She is great, Summer.” Jade gave her a knowing look. “Don’t let her go.”
Summer scoffed. “Oh, I’m not that stupid.” She couldn’t believe how senseless she had been to dismiss any possibility of a relationship with Prue. She’d knocked her back more than once, but here she was…feeling like life was falling into place. “I’m feeling good.”
“I know. I can see it. It looks really good on you.”
“Yeah?”
“Of course.” Jade leaned forward, taking her best friend’s hand. “You know I want you to be happy. I’m satisfied that you are here with Prue.”
Satisfied? Summer held back a scoff. She wondered if Jade sometimes thought she was her mother. She chose to refrain from making a comment. “I’m more than happy.”
“Do you think maybe you could be falling for her?” Never one to mince her words, Jade’s question had truly shocked Summer. In all honesty, she was too scared to answer for fear of it one day ending.
Summer simply laughed. “What? Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Ah.” Jade winked. “I know that reaction. Your voice just then was enough to summon the banshees around here.”
“It’s way too soon to be thinking about love, Jade. I’m only just learning about her. Knowing her. Give me a while, yeah?”
“Sure.” Jade climbed to her feet, dropping Summer’s hand from her own as she did. “You keep telling yourself that.” Throwing Summer a wink, Jade disappeared towards the door of the annexe. “I know when you’re in love, Summer. Right now is one of those times.”
That girl is out of her fucking mind. Summer stared, disbelieving of what Jade had just said. Could she really tell that she was, in fact, falling for Prue Michaels? Summer wouldn’t say those words, not any time in the foreseeable future, but she could still know it in her heart. And she did. She really knew it. Something about her blossoming relationship with Prue felt completely different to anything she’d experienced before. Bryony was a different time in her life entirely, but if this is what falling in love felt like, Summer was beginning to wonder if what she shared with her ex-girlfriend was anything close to love.
Prue made her think. Feel. Prue made her world spin from just one look. Her sweet laugh, which was becoming more common, had Summer’s heart soaring daily, but the thing that really got her—emotionally—was how Prue held her in the night. Against her. Soft and secure. She would give up everything in the world to feel that for the rest of her life. In a heartbeat, she would. Money and status didn’t matter, and it never had to Summer; what mattered was someone who had a good heart…even if they tried to push it down beneath the power and the success. In the short time she’d known Prue, she knew that wasn’t her. The moment they watched each other across the restaurant—Summer assuming Prue to be emotionless—she had seen a significant difference. If Summer could take anything away from this time she’d spent with Prue, it would be to never judge another person again.
Summer knocked on the door of Prue’s home office, turning the handle when she received no reply. The air conditioning unit provided a welcome relief from the sweltering temperature outside, Summer basking in it while she had the opportunity to do so. Prue didn’t turn around, she didn’t even acknowledge Summer was in the room, so she knocked again, clearing her throat as she did.
“Mm?” Prue made a sound, but it was barely audible.
“I was wondering if you’d like a late lunch. You haven’t eaten since you got back from the hotel…”
“I’m fine, thanks.” Prue’s eyes remained fixed on her computer screen. “I’ll grab something later.”
“Oh, right.” Summer paused. “Okay, well… I’ll see you later then.”
“Sure, yeah.”
Frowning, Summer closed the door and walked down the small hallway leading to the open-plan kitchen and living room. Jade had taken her advice and gone out to meet Ruth, so now Summer was left twiddling her thumbs. Almost literally. She didn’t know what to do with herself. This was the first time since she and Prue had become serious that she’d been left to her own devices. She didn’t mind—her girlfriend was a successful, in-demand businesswoman—but she’d foolishly expected Prue’s time today.
Opting for the annexe to give Prue whatever space she needed, Summer took her laptop from the bedside table and powered it up. She would spend this time wisely, deciding on the equipment she would need to get started out here. A sudden sinking feeling churned deep in her belly. Jade had earlier questioned whether Summer was in love with Prue, and now, Prue appeared to be off with her. Had Jade opened her mouth, saying something she shouldn’t have? Was the reason for Prue’s distance related to Jade telling her that Summer felt more than she should? God, this doesn’t feel good. Summer rested her head back against the headboard, closing her eyes and once again blocking out the mess Jade had left all over the annexe.
Opening her messaging app on her laptop, she created a new one…destined for Jade.
S: Did you see Prue before you left today?
Summer waited, her heart in her mouth when it showed Jade was replying.
J: Yeah. She seemed a little…different.
S: Different, how?
J: I don’t know. Quiet. Not herself.
S: Yeah. She’s not herself.
J: Speak to her. Check in with her that everything is okay.
S: You didn’t say anything to her, did you?
J: About what?
S: About ANYTHING.
J: No. Just told her to have a nice afternoon and that breakfast had been great.
S: Okay. Say hi to Ruth for me. Catch you later.
Summer closed the app, frowning as she focused on an invisible spot on the wall ahead of her. Prue was clearly going through something, and Summer wanted to be there for her. Deciding against her online shopping, Summer sprung from the bed and headed back inside the villa. Once she reached Prue’s office, she knocked and turned the handle once again.
“Hey, um…is everything okay?”
“Perfectly fine.” Prue scrolled through an email, sighing. “Do you need something?”
“Well, I suppose no—”
“Just that I have quite a lot on at the minute.”
“Right, yeah.” Summer sighed. “So long as everything is okay…”
“Fine.”
“Did you want dinner together tonight?” Summer asked, her voice hopeful.
“I have to go out.” Prue turned in her seat, finding Summer’s eyes for the first time this afternoon. “You and Jade are welcome to whatever you need here.”
“Oh, Jade’s out for the evening,” Summer said. “Never mind. I’ll make something up for myself in the annexe.”
“Here will be fine.”
“No, I know. I just don’t like to take over while you’re not here.” Summer smiled. “I’ll let you get back on with your work. If you wanted coffee together before you leave, give me a shout.”
“I’ll try my best.” Prue nodded, that same void tone present—one that Summer was becoming increasingly hateful of. “Enjoy the rest of your afternoon.”
Prue t
urned away, hearing the door creak closed as Summer left the office. This day was turning out to be one hell of a nightmare, one she wasn’t sure her girlfriend would be willing to accept. Her plan today had been to spend it with Summer, providing Jade didn’t mind, but from the moment she’d arrived at the hotel, one thing after another landed on her plate. The latest in her day of fails…the loss of her general manager at the club.
Prue knew what this meant. She would have to step in until she found someone suitable to take care of her girls. The problem was, that didn’t come easy. Prue wouldn’t hand over the reins to just anyone. They would be vetted, watched closely on a probationary period. Prue would know their life inside out before she left her girls in the hands of a stranger. Sharon had been with her for almost six years, but family commitments back in the UK meant that she could no longer hold the position. Prue knew this day would come—it always did sooner or later—but she didn’t need it right now. She had told Summer that she didn’t spend much time at the club, but that was about to become an issue. Why? Because Prue knew how Summer felt about the place. She’d accepted that Prue owned it, providing a safe space for the women, but Prue wasn’t sure Summer could accept her being there day in and day out. This was bound to put one hell of a spanner in the works.
Sending her computer to sleep, Prue figured that now was as good a time as any to fill Summer in. The longer she put it off, the harder it would be when Summer decided that this wasn’t the life for her. Prue hated what she was about to do, but she would rather feel the pain now while everything was new, than down the line when she was head over heels in love with Summer.
She stood, blew out a deep breath, and left her office. Barefoot, she slowly made her way through into the kitchen, rubbing the back of her neck in a desperate attempt to release the tension building. Summer was lacing up her pumps, her shoulders slumped.
“Summer, could I talk to you for a minute?” Prue asked, nervous for the first time in forever. Of course, she’d had spells of anxiety leading up to her relationship with Summer, but Prue had never felt it like this. Summer mattered more to her than she would care to admit but telling her about the club was the right thing to do.
“Yeah.” Summer’s forehead creased as she dropped her leg and stood up. “Did you change your mind about that coffee?” Summer’s smile beamed, but it would be short-lived.
“I’m sorry, no.” Prue lowered her eyes. “I really am trying to get on top of the work I have.”
“Is this because of me?” Summer’s hands found their way to her pockets. “I’m around too much and keeping you from your work?” Prue’s head shot up, her forehead creased as Summer threw her thumb over her shoulder. “I’ll get out of your way.”
“No.” Prue smiled softly, stepping closer. “Don’t ever think that.”
“Then what is it?”
“You know I told you that I’m rarely at the club…”
“Yeah.”
“Well, that’s about to change. A lot, actually.”
Summer searched Prue’s face, confused. “You’re not going back to dancing, are you?”
“What? No.” Prue couldn’t contain the laugh that fell from her mouth. “I don’t have the body for dancing anymore.”
“As much as I hate that I’m about to say this… I disagree.”
“Well, thanks.” Prue blushed. “But no, I’m not going back to dancing.”
“So, why will you be at the club?”
“My manager just gave up her position there.” Prue leaned back against the kitchen counter, shaking her head. “It was inevitable, I suppose.”
“So, you have to stand-in?”
“Unfortunately, yes.”
Summer shrugged. “Okay.”
“I know you hate that place, and you’re entitled to feel that way, but I really can’t just employ anyone. If something happened to one of the girls, I’d never forgive myself.”
“You’re doing the right thing.” Summer smiled. The care Prue had for the women at the club was more than clear to her.
“I fully expect you to be gone when I get back. I wouldn’t blame you if you wanted to leave.” Prue’s voice broke as she wrung her hands together. “I really don’t want to lose you because of this, but I’m sure this is the final straw.”
“What?” Summer laughed, breaking Prue from her inner ramblings that had somehow managed to be spoken. “You think I’d leave you because of this?”
“Yes.” Prue held up her hand. “Perfectly understandable.”
“Prue.” Summer took her hands. “I’m not going anywhere. I’ve just told you that you’re doing the right thing.”
“O-Oh.” Prue’s brow knitted. “Sorry, I’ve been in a world of my own all afternoon.”
“I know.” Summer drew Prue closer, kissing her gently. “I know how busy it must get around here, so please, don’t worry.”
“No, that’s not good enough for me.” Prue suddenly realised what was happening. “The same thing happened with Sarah. I won’t do it to you, too.”
“Which?”
“Cut you from my life when I’m busy. Forget that we have dinner plans because I’m working. Anything that makes you feel less than in this.”
“I don’t feel that way.” Summer tried to reassure Prue, but her eyes told a different story. “Hey. Everything is okay.”
“Summer, I didn’t even hold a conversation to your face when you came to ask me if I wanted lunch. That’s unacceptable.”
“If it became a regular thing, yeah…”
“It won’t. I promise.”
“Then you have nothing to worry about here.” Summer touched the side of Prue’s face lightly. “You’re so beautiful when you’re flustered.”
Prue chose to ignore that comment. She didn’t get flustered. Not usually. “Were you going out?”
“I was going to grab some lunch.” Summer took her purse from the coffee table. “Can I bring you anything back?”
“No. I’m coming with you.” Prue slid her feet into a pair of sandals, white linen pants hugging her ass. “I don’t have a manager right now and I still won’t have one tonight. I’d rather spend my time having lunch with you.”
“You’re sure?” Summer quirked an eyebrow. “Because I really don’t mind if you have to work.”
“I don’t have to do anything…other than be with you.”
20
Summer settled into her seat at the bar, watching Jade as she spoke with Ruth. Her best friend hadn’t returned home last night—no surprise to Summer—but tonight was her last night and she wanted to clear the air once and for all. She could understand Prue’s side of it, the idea of not getting carried away with their disagreement, but Jade was still dodging the inevitable conversation, even if she had already apologised the night it happened. Summer didn’t want to, but she had to make it painfully clear to her best friend that it wasn’t acceptable to say the things she did. Above all else, she needed to know how Jade truly felt. If there was a hint of her leaving here with a dislike for Prue, Summer wasn’t sure how they would move forward. Or if they ever could. Jade had always been good at telling people what they wanted to hear, but that wasn’t good enough for Summer. She hoped for her full, genuine support.
She smiled as Ruth waved at her, Jade’s eyes also landing on Summer. Ruth was working the bar tonight, so why was she headed towards their table, with Jade in tow…seemingly wanting to hold a conversation with Summer? Unintentionally, Summer sunk down in her seat, wrapping her hand around her cocktail glass. As it was their last night together, she had agreed to a few drinks down on the strip with Jade. Prue was working at the club tonight anyway, so sitting in the villa seemed like a waste of time.
“Summer, Jade has been telling me all about your girlfriend.” Ruth smiled. “Prue Michaels, right?”
“Uh, yeah.” Summer pushed down the nausea she felt. “Do you know her?”
“I’ve known her a while, yeah.”
Summer wanted to ask, to kn
ow how they knew each other, but she wasn’t sure she would be satisfied with the answer. Judging by the look in Ruth’s eyes, she knew Prue more than Summer would have liked.
“So, you working late tonight?”
“Til five.” Ruth slid into the booth beside her. “How is Prue?”
“Great.” Summer smiled sarcastically, blowing out a deep breath. “You worked here long?”
“Since I left the club.” Ruth shrugged. “Loved the place…the owner, not so much.”
“And what club’s that?” Summer gripped her cocktail glass tighter, knowing exactly where this conversation was going. “Around here?”
“Prue’s club.”
“Right.” Summer cleared her throat, nodding. “Well, you seem happy here, so it looks like everything worked out for you.”
“You mind askin’ Prue if she still has my maroon hoodie? I think I left it there the last night I spent with her.”
“A bit inappropriate, don’t you think?” Summer wrinkled her nose, no longer willing to entertain Ruth. “I’m sure if she had it, she’d have given it back to you.”
“Maybe, I don’t know.” Summer eyed Jade, giving her a questioning look.
“Anyway, babe,” Jade started. “Maybe you should get back to work. Bar looks busy tonight.”
“Yeah.” Ruth leaned in, hugging Summer. “Good to see you again. Don’t be a stranger.”
“Y-Yeah.” Summer snarled when Ruth turned her back. She watched her and Jade converse for a while longer before downing her cocktail. “While you’re up, we’ll have two more of these.” Motioning between the cocktail glasses, Summer cocked her head, smirking at Ruth. “Sooner rather than later.” And here it came, Summer’s jealous streak.
Ruth disappeared, leaving an angry Jade behind. “Well, that was rude.” She scolded her best friend. “Any particular reason why you spoke to her like that?”
“Oh, come on.” Summer laughed, throwing her hands up. “You throw your weight around the villa but I can’t make one comment to the girl you’re fucking for the sake of it?”
The Heat of Summer Page 20
