by Vi Keeland
“Oh. Okay.”
I got to the front door and turned back to make an obnoxious joke about getting to take care of her pipes after all, but when I did, I found her eyes firmly attached to my ass. Caught, her eyes jumped to meet mine, and a guilty look washed over her face.
I winked. “The feeling’s mutual. I admired your ass for most of your yoga class, so we’re even.” I wiggled my brows. “Be back to take care of your pipes.”
Chapter 8
* * *
Valentina
Ryan certainly didn’t look like that anymore.
I bit my lip, staring down at the lower half of Ford sprawled out on my kitchen floor. He’d taken apart my sink, found a crack in the drainpipe, and went to three different plumbing supply stores to find the right part—one all the way in East Hampton. Now he was shoulder-deep inside my cabinet, installing the new drain. I stood nearby, handing him the occasional tool and ogling his body. I couldn’t help myself. His dark T-shirt had ridden up, giving me a personal peep show starring rock-hard abs, a deep-set V, a tattoo that ran up his side, and a sexy-as-all-hell thin line of hair that ran down into his Calvin Klein underwear band. The view had my fingers itching to trace that happy trail all the way down to the end.
He twisted his body as he used the wrench to tighten something, and the V of his abs deepened. Jesus. On second thought, I was pretty sure Ryan never looked like that. I sighed, quietly mourning the loss of what was right in front of me—mere inches away—yet I’d never have.
Ford slid out from the cabinet, and I quickly averted my eyes, hoping I wouldn’t get caught checking him out a second time today.
“Go ahead. Give it a test run. Turn the water on.”
I leaned forward and lifted the handle on the faucet while Ford watched from beneath. After a minute, he smiled. “Good as new.”
“Wow. Thank you so much. I owe you big time. You’ll have to let me make you a nice dinner, at least.”
“How about you let me take you out to dinner instead?”
“That’s not repaying you the favor. It’s just adding to my debt.”
He raised a brow. “You can square up after our date.”
“Ford…”
“Relax. I’m joking. Sort of. How about a beer on the back deck instead?”
I smiled. “That sounds amazing, actually. Let me just clean up in here, and I’ll join you. There’s plenty of beer in the fridge.”
“Actually, I’m going to run next door and take a quick shower.” He held up his hands.
They were greasy and dirty. And manly. There’s something so sexy about a guy whose hands look like he isn’t afraid to do physical labor. Rugged hands had always been a turn-on for me. Then there were the tattoos on his muscular forearms. I really needed to stop finding things sexy about this man.
Boy…I mean boy.
He’s not a man, Valentina.
I looked at his broad shoulders. God, he really does look like one, though.
Needing a distraction, I started to clean up. “Okay. Sounds good. I’ll see you in a bit, then.”
Somehow I managed to not stare at his ass as he walked to the door this time.
After I cleaned up the mess in the kitchen, I went to the bedroom to get changed. The afternoon sun had started to heat up the house, and I knew the back deck would be scorching hot.
Picking an outfit proved more difficult than I thought. Normally, I’d just throw on my bathing suit with shorts or a cover up in the afternoon, but I didn’t want to look like I was trying to attract attention. My C-cups were difficult to hide under the best circumstances. I wound up changing three times and finally settled on a plain white T-shirt and a pair of old, ripped denim shorts. The shorts were a tad young for me, but Eve might’ve mentioned that my ass looked good in them. Plus, they were sort of messy looking, so it wouldn’t seem like I’d been trying too hard.
I came down the stairs just as Ford knocked on the front screen door.
“Hey.” He eyed my legs and grinned. “You look good.”
His hair was slicked back, still wet from the shower, and he had on nothing but a pair of board shorts and aviator sunglasses. I cleared my throat and tried to ignore the eight-pack and tattoos now on full display.
“Umm… Thanks. Do you want some sunscreen? The sun is roasting on the back deck at this time.”
God, I sound like his mother.
“Nah. I’m good. I don’t burn.”
I started to mentally prepare my UV rays are dangerous even if your skin doesn’t turn red speech, but I stopped myself. A twenty-five-year-old man doesn’t need a lecture.
Boy.
He’s a boy, Valentina.
I grabbed two beers from the fridge, and we went out on the back deck and sat side by side on two lounge chairs. Ford held out his beer to me. “To being back in Montauk.”
I clinked my bottle with his. “To being back in Montauk.”
The icy cold beer really tasted delicious. Ford must’ve agreed, since he made a loud ahhh sound when he’d finished guzzling half the bottle.
“I missed it out here,” he said. “I forgot how much I love it.”
“When was the last time you were out here? I know I haven’t seen you guys in years. But Ryan and I split use of the house, and I let him use it the last two seasons, so I could have missed you.”
“I haven’t been out since the summer before my parents died. I was definitely avoiding coming. This place is filled with so many memories. But so far I feel at peace being here. I guess enough time has passed now that I can remember the good times and appreciate them, rather than be bitter that they’re gone.”
“Your parents really loved Montauk. I’m sure they’d be happy you feel that way and can make new memories of your own.”
We were quiet for a while, taking in the waves crashing against the shore and the sun glistening along the water. Even though it was a warm, almost-summer day, the beach was pretty empty. The tourist season didn’t really start to peak until the kids got out of school, which was another week or two away.
“Yeah. They really loved their summer time at the house.” He brought the beer bottle to his lips and kept looking at the ocean as he spoke. “Life was busy when we were home in the city—they worked a lot. Time seemed to slow down out here, though.”
“I used to watch them together and envy their relationship. They were so sweet to each other, and it reminded me how far apart Ryan and I had grown.”
Ford looked over at me and smiled sadly. “They used to have Mason jars on the nightstands in their bedroom next door. During the summer, they’d write these short little love notes on slips of paper and put them in each other’s jars—one or two lines saying random things they liked that the other did that day. Then on Valentine’s Day every year, they’d come out by themselves to check on the house. They’d stay for one night and exchange jars.”
“Wow. That’s so romantic.”
“Yeah. And we always teased my dad that he was just too cheap to buy a Valentine’s Day present.” Ford chugged the rest of his beer and caught my eyes. “You know, my mom was a year older than my dad.”
“Is that so?”
He nodded. “Being attracted to an older woman must run in the family.”
I laughed. “I don’t think that’s a genetic trait, and one year is a lot smaller than twelve.”
“I did some Googling last week. Jay-Z is twelve years older than Beyoncé. Ryan Reynolds is eleven years older than Blake Lively.”
“Men have liked younger women throughout history.”
He wagged his finger at me. “I thought you might say that. So I’m prepared. Hugh Jackman’s wife is thirteen years older than him. Allison Janney’s boyfriend is twenty years younger. And Holland Taylor is thirty-two years older than Sarah Paulson.”
He definitely got credit for ingenuity. Luckily, I was let off the hook from having to respond by the sound of someone knocking at my front door.
“Valentina?” Bella y
elled.
I went to let her in, while Ford stayed on the back deck.
“Hey.” I opened the screen door. “How did your interview go?”
“It went great. They offered me the job. But I need your help. I was hoping you could help me convince my brother to let me stay out here for the summer.”
Ford bellowed from the back deck. “Still can’t fight your own battles, huh, Bella?”
Her shoulders slumped. “Shit. I didn’t know he was here.”
I offered a sympathetic smile. “Sorry. But come on out back. And congratulations on getting the job.”
On my way out to the deck, I grabbed Ford another beer. Handing it to him, I took my seat without thinking anything of it.
Bella looked back and forth between us. “Well, don’t you two look cozy?”
I felt compelled to explain, even though we weren’t doing anything wrong. It wasn’t unusual for two neighbors to sit together and share an afternoon beer.
“My kitchen sink was leaking, and Ford fixed it for me. It took him hours. He just finished up.”
Ford looked over at me and shook his head. He knew what I was doing.
“What do you want, Bella?” he said.
She put her hand on her hips. “I want to stay. Your apartment is boring, and I love it out here. The restaurant hired me to work their busy shift—Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sundays—so I’ll be working all the time and won’t be able to get out of control.”
Ford sat up and scratched his chin. Bella took the opportunity to keep selling.
“Plus, Valentina will be out here all summer, so she can keep an eye on me.”
He looked over at me and pushed his sunglasses down his nose to meet my eyes. “You’re staying out here all summer? Not just weekends?”
I nodded. “I have to go into the city to take my teaching exam next week, but other than that, I don’t have any plans to leave.”
Ford squinted. I could see the wheels in his head turning. He rubbed his chin. “The entire summer, huh?”
I nodded hesitantly.
He looked at his sister. “You know what? Go ahead. Stay. I think it might be good for you to spend time out here this summer after all.” He flashed a mischievous smile. “In fact, I’m looking forward to spending as much time out here as I can, too.”
Well, that most certainly backfired.
***
Later that night, I was studying on the couch when Ford knocked on the door. “Hey. I have to head back into the city early tomorrow morning before traffic. I just wanted to talk to you about Bella.”
“Sure, come in.”
He looked at the books strewn all over and my pile of homemade flashcards. “Cramming for your exam next week?”
“Yeah. It’s on Thursday.”
“You know, I speak some Italian. Maybe I can give you a hand, if you need it.”
“You do?”
“I did a semester abroad in Rome my second year of college. Actually, I was only there about seven weeks.” He looked away. “That’s where I was when I got the call about my parents’ accident.”
“Oh God. I’m sorry. That must’ve been awful—getting a call like that when you’re so far away.”
He nodded. “Say something in Italian.”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know. Anything.”
I thought for a moment, then said, “Spero davvero di non bombardare questo test.” I really hope I don’t bomb this test.
Ford grinned. “I have no idea what you said, but it sounded sexy as fuck.”
I laughed. “Let me hear you say something.”
He cocked his head to one side. “Mi piace molto il tuo aspetto senza un reggiseno.” I really like the way you look without a bra on.
My eyes widened, and I looked down. Sure enough, my nipples were practically piercing through my shirt. I hadn’t been expecting company. I folded my arms across my chest. “It’s cold in here.”
“Really? I’m kind of warm.”
So damn cocky.
“You said you wanted to talk to me about Bella?”
He chuckled. “Yeah. If the house starts shaking from a party, will you let me know? I won’t be able to get back out here until next weekend.”
“I’m sure she’ll be fine. But if it makes you feel better, I’ll keep an eye out for her.”
“Thanks. She’s a pain in my ass. But I want to keep her out of trouble.”
I smiled. “You have a soft side, Ford.”
He leaned in and kissed me on the cheek before moving his mouth to my ear. “I have a hard side I’d like to show you, too.”
My entire body joined my nipples in zinging to life.
Ford pulled his head back. He took one look at my face and a wicked grin spread across his. “The entire summer. I can’t wait.”
Chapter 9
* * *
Valentina
“I’m so happy that’s over.” I breathed out a long sigh of relief.
Mark and Allison were already outside waiting for Desiree and me to finish the test. They’d gotten done early, but I’d wanted to take every last available minute to review my answers a third time.
“What did you think?” Mark asked.
It was easier than I’d thought it would be, yet I was afraid to jinx myself and say that out loud. “I felt prepared.”
Desiree smiled. “Me, too. Although, I’m not sure I have the best judgment on how things are going. I also thought my ex, Travis, was going to propose the night he dumped me.”
We all laughed. “So what is everyone doing for the summer? It’s going to feel like we have a lot of free time without classes and studying,” Mark said.
“I’m going to Minneapolis for a few weeks to watch my nephew because my sister needs to have a hysterectomy,” Allison said.
“I’m sorry to hear that, but what a great sister you are to help out. I’m spending the summer in Montauk. We have a house out there. If you get back early, you should come out and relax a little.” I looked at all three of my study partners. “You all should.”
“We? You’re doing a summer share?” Allison asked.
I shook my head. “No. Sorry. We is me and my ex-husband. I have the house this summer, but we take turns. It’s been almost two years, yet I still slip up and say we sometimes. But we do own it together, so I guess, technically, it’s okay in this instance.”
“I’ve never been to Montauk,” Mark said.
“And you’ve lived in New Jersey your entire life?”
Mark laughed. “Yup. Born and raised right in Edgewater. I’ve never been to the Hamptons either. Guess I should rectify that sometime soon.”
“You really should. I personally could do without the Hamptons. In the summer it’s mostly just upscale shops and mobbed with polished people. Montauk is way more laid back, for the most part—an old fishing village and more casual. I love it out there.”
“Well, then, I’ll have to make a point of coming out this summer. Maybe you can give me a tour if I do.”
“Sure.” I looked at Allison and Desiree. “Really, guys. Let’s keep in touch. You’re all welcome if you come out.”
We hugged and promised to call soon, and then I headed to my car. I’d had to turn off my phone before the test started, so I powered it back on. As soon as the screen illuminated, Ford’s name popped up with a new text message.
Ford: Well, how’d it go? Don’t keep me hanging…
I smiled. Ford and I had been texting all week. Initially, the texts had been about Bella—he’d asked if I’d seen her and how things were going. But the last few days they’d had nothing to do with his sister. It felt like we were back to when we’d first started texting, before I knew Donovan620 was Ford—the boy next door.
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy our communications. He was witty, and, though I shouldn’t have, I looked forward to hearing from him. I might’ve even been checking my phone like a teenage girl the last few days. I knew it was wrong,
but I could justify it in my head as keeping in contact because of Bella. It was the right thing to do. And now, he was just being cordial—asking how my test had gone. That was it. He was being neighborly… I couldn’t not respond.
I sighed, knowing full well that I was full of shit, yet texted back anyway.
Valentina: I feel like I did okay.
He texted back immediately.
Ford: Excellent. We’ll need to celebrate this weekend.
I hated that I got a flutter in my belly reading that he’d be in Montauk again soon.
Valentina: You’ll be out this weekend?
Ford: Already here. Got back about an hour ago.
I masked how I really felt.
Valentina: Oh. That’s nice. I’m sure Bella must be happy with some company.
Ford: Forget her. Hoping you’ll be happy with some company, too…
I didn’t want to answer truthfully, so I decided against responding at all. The man made me flustered to begin with, and I needed to drive. I’d see him tomorrow. So I tossed my phone into my purse and started the car.
The man made me flustered.
Boy.
Think of him as a boy, Valentina.
I wanted to so badly.
But it was becoming harder and harder to remember his age.
***
“Hey,” I yelled over to Ford as I walked out onto my back deck. He blinked a few times and looked up from his laptop. I thought he’d seen me come out, but apparently he hadn’t.
“You’re back.”
“Just got in a few minutes ago. How’s Bella?”
“She’s good. Just left for work. The house is still standing, so I guess things went okay.”
I smiled. I’d planned to sit on the back deck and enjoy the late-afternoon sun, but it felt weird now since we were both alone. Our houses stood so close together that we could probably jump from one deck to the other if we had to.
“Glad it worked out. You look busy. I’ll let you get back to work.” I waved and turned to go back into the house.
