More uncomfortable than he had been before the yoga.
Greg was certain he was doing it all wrong. That must be it. And yet he’d followed all of Summer’s instructions. She’d made sure of it.
As he walked to the Turner’s house with flowers in one hand and a chocolate cake in the other, he told himself he should just quit yoga. He hadn’t believed his mother when she’d told him it would help. And he’d been right. After one session, his legs were sore. His arms were sore. Muscles he didn’t even know he had were sore.
On top of it all, Summer was going to be at the dinner tonight. That was to be expected, considering it was her aunt and uncle, not his. But Kent Turner had invited him and then his mother, Patty, had insisted, so how was Greg supposed to turn them down. Even if dinner was uncomfortable with Summer there, he’d get through it for his friends’ sakes. It isn’t every day when you have a fortieth wedding anniversary.
Greg planned to just drop off the card, cake, and flowers. He’d say a few words and wish them well. Then he’d be on his way.
If he was lucky, he’d miss running into Summer. Still, this was a small town. It wasn’t like they could easily avoid each other. These types of situations were bound to happen from time to time. But there was no reason they both had to be miserable. He would just make his excuses and quietly slip away. No harm. No foul.
As he neared the house, he noticed a line of golf carts on both sides of the road. A smile pulled at his lips. It was just like Patty to insist on a small dinner and then invite most of the island.
As he neared the house, he could smell Patty’s famous spaghetti sauce. His mouth began to water. It’d been far too long since he’d indulged in a plate of her pasta. For years now, he’d been trying to coax the recipe out of her, but she insisted it was an old family secret. He regretted that he wouldn’t get a chance to indulge in a plate of it today.
He rapped his knuckles on the screen door. He could hear voices. He doubted they heard him so he let himself inside. He’d been in this house countless times over the years.
The large kitchen was at the back of the house. And it was wall-to-wall people. Patty was quick to notice him. A big smile lit up her round face and puffed up her rosy cheeks.
She made her way to him. “Greg, it’s so good to see you.” She gave him a quick, awkward hug since his hands were full. “Thank you for coming.”
“Happy anniversary.”
“Thank you. I’m so glad you could make it. I didn’t know if you’d be working or not.”
“These are for you.” He held out the things he’d brought.
Her eyes lit up. “You shouldn’t have. Did you bake this chocolate cake?”
“I did. I hope you like it.”
“I know I’m going to love it. And I might not share with anyone, including the husband.” She winked at him in a playful manner. “Now where am I going to hide it?” He was about to make his apologies for leaving early when she said, “The party grew, so we had to set up tables in the backyard. You can make your way out there. The food will soon follow.”
He opened his mouth to say he couldn’t stay when Kent stepped into the kitchen. “Hey, Greg, ’bout time you showed up.” He gestured to him to follow.
Unless Greg wanted to make a scene in front of everyone, he had no choice but to make his way to the backyard. Maybe this was better. He’d just say hello to Kent and then be on his way.
“Greg, over here.” Kent’s older brother Grant waved him over to a group of friends.
On his way over, he glanced around the back yard. Birdie Neill, the town matriarch, was in the middle of it, surrounded by nearly a dozen people. Birdie’s face was animated as she gestured with her hands. He didn’t know how old she was, but she was getting up there. She never let her age slow her down. As she continued telling her story, people listened with rapt attention. He had to admit that she was a really good storyteller.
Among the people listening to Birdie talk was Agnes Dewey, the town busybody. Greg had done his best to stay off her radar ever since his infamous kiss with Summer. He didn’t have any hard proof that Agnes was the one who spread the gossip, but as far as he knew she had been the one to witness it and Summer’s immediate rebuff. If it hadn’t been Agnes who’d started the gossip, he didn’t know who would have done it.
He just had to hope that Summer wasn’t able to attend the dinner. He glanced around at the crowd, noticing Helen Bell, now Helen Campbell and her new husband, Walter. Next to them stood Aster Smith and Sam Bell, who were soon-to-be married. He didn’t see Summer anywhere. He breathed easier.
It looked like he wouldn’t have to leave early. He enjoyed his time with the Turner family. And so he let himself relax.
The Turner brothers were chatting with some of Greg’s buddies from the fire station. They discussed how well Ethan Walker was doing as the new fire chief. Greg liked Ethan. He was a good guy, and he respected the fact that Ethan knew what he was doing. Ethan was even working on funding for a new engine. Theirs was very old and needed to be replaced.
The conversation carried on until they were called to sit down for dinner. Kent gestured over to the table he was sitting at. Greg happily joined him. He was already salivating over the thought of Patty’s pasta.
Greg had just settled into his seat when someone sat down across from him. He lifted his head to say hello when his gaze connected with familiar emerald green eyes. Summer.
His chest tightened. He hoped she didn’t think he’d sought her out and sat down there to be close to her. Because nothing could be further from the truth.
“I… I’ll just find another seat.” He stood and glanced around. All of the seats were taken. And it was too late for him to quietly slip away.
“Greg, it’s fine,” Summer said in a loud whisper.
He hesitated. How was he supposed to enjoy his dinner when every time he looked up, his gaze would meet hers?
“Dude, what are you doing?” Kent asked. “We’re about to eat. Sit down.”
“Um, right.” With the utmost reluctance, he sat back down.
His gaze briefly caught Summer’s. She frowned at him before glancing away first. It would appear she wasn’t any more comfortable with this arrangement than him. He never thought things would end up like this for them.
How had he read the signs so wrong on that long-ago summer? He was certain she was as into him as he’d been with her. All it had taken was one kiss to ruin a great friendship and become the talk of the town. He never ever wanted to live through something like that again.
Josie sat next to Summer. When her gaze landed on him, she smiled. “Hey, Greg, glad you could make it.” And then her gaze moved between Summer and him. Inwardly, he groaned as she said, “So, you two are getting along again. That’s great.”
Summer’s gaze flickered to him. “We’re good. Aren’t we, Greg?”
He hesitated but then a look in Summer’s eyes prompted him to answer. “Uh-huh.”
He couldn’t help but wonder if she was saying that in order not to make a scene or if she truly meant it. He remained quiet as Summer, Josie, and Kent started to talk about life when they were kids—when life wasn’t quite so complicated. Greg missed those days, but he knew there was no way to recapture them. They were nothing now but memories—memories that he didn’t want to get caught up in.
And so when dinner had finished, he stood. It was time to make his exit. The sooner, the better. Because sitting across the table from Summer was like torture. There was still a part of him that wanted to make her smile—to make her eyes sparkle with happiness. But he couldn’t allow himself that luxury. It was too dangerous to his heart.
With people standing around talking, he ventured toward the gate in the backyard fence. His escape was in sight. There was no one between him and the exit. He started for it.
A few feet from the gate, he heard, “Greg, wait!”
He didn’t have to turn around to know it was Summer calling out to him. He’d know her sweet voice anywhere. He inwardly groaned.
He didn’t want to pause, but he also didn’t want to be rude. She had done nothing wrong but be honest with him when she’d let him know that she didn’t have the same sort of feelings for him.
When she came to a stop in front of him, he said, “I don’t have much time. I really need to be going.”
It was then he noticed Agnes Dewey standing nearby, well within earshot of their conversation. The last thing he needed when he was about to apply for head chef at The Bluffs restaurant was a bunch of gossip to spread around town.
Summer’s gaze searched his. “I hope you’re not leaving early on my account.”
“No.” The answer came out a bit too quickly. “I have some things I need to do tonight. I wasn’t even planning to stay for the party, but you know that it’s impossible to say no to Patty or her famous spaghetti.”
Disbelief reflected in her eyes. “Are you sure that’s the only reason you’re leaving so early?”
“Positive.”
“I’d like to think we’re still friends.”
He swallowed hard. The last time they were just friends, he’d ended up getting his heart pummeled. But resuming their friendship wasn’t such an unreasonable request. This time he just wouldn’t let the wall around his heart down when he was near her. Not ever again.
“Yes, we’re still friends.”
Relief shone in her eyes as a smile lifted her lips. “I’m glad to hear it. So, I’ll see you on Monday for yoga.”
He had been planning to back out of the lessons, but if there was a chance it would help him walk without a limp, he had to see it through. “Yes, I’ll be there.”
Over Summer’s shoulder, he saw Agnes Dewey raise her brows in surprise. Was it possible she hadn’t heard about his yoga lessons? No, that wasn’t possible. She seemed to know everything that happened around town at the same time it happened—sometimes it was like she would know beforehand.
“Great. I’ll see you.”
“See you.” And then he walked away.
They were friends again. He didn’t know what that looked like. It certainly couldn’t be like it was years ago when they would confide in each other. Of course, Emma had been a part of their trio. Now with Emma off in Nashville pursuing her music, it was just him and Summer. What would this new friendship look like?