Summer jumped back, smacking her backside against the edge of the counter, her face turning blotchy as if she’d been caught necking. “Not at all. I was just getting our new guest some tea. Want some?”
“Oh, that sounds like heaven right now.” The girl groaned as she grabbed a paper towel from beneath the cabinets and swiped at her sweating brow. “I weeded the flower bed. Lordy, it’s not getting any cooler out there.”
She plopped onto a chair at the long oak table. The petite blonde had on a black tank top that showed off her midriff, and a pair of old, worn cut-off shorts. She was a cute thing. She was also interrupting. Gage had an urge to howl. He wanted her gone. He wanted to be alone with Summer. She’d been this close to relaxing.
“I told you not to do that, Tory,” Summer admonished as she grabbed a third glass. “I was going to get to it once the sun started to set. It won’t be quite as hot then.”
Tory shrugged, looked at Gage, then back at Summer. Her brow arched.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Tory, meet Gage Knight. You remember Bev used to talk about her nephew?”
“Little Gage?”
Christ.
Summer laughed. “Well, little Gage is all grown up and he’ll be a guest here for the week.”
“Great, you filled that room, then.”
“Yep.”
Tory grinned. “Didn’t I tell you it would all work out?”
“I don’t remember you saying that at all. In fact, you cursed that couple for leaving me in the lurch.”
She huffed. “Not to their faces.”
“It’s just as bad to do it behind their backs, and you know it.”
“But you were counting on that money and you let them slide on paying you. You’re too nice, Summer.”
Gage decided to cut in before they started brawling on the kitchen floor. “Good thing I came along. Everyone gets what they want. I get a room. The couple gets out of paying. Summer still gets her money.”
“Yes, a happy ending for all. So quit complaining,” Summer growled at her friend.
Tory took a long drink from her glass. “I still say you need to crack down on these people when they back out on you at the last minute.”
“Fine, but we won’t argue about it in front of a guest.”
Gage snorted. “You should meet my cousins. They were born to argue.”
Summer’s eyes widened. “You don’t mean Bev’s kids? She’s so sweet and easygoing.”
Gage nearly choked. “You haven’t seen her when she’s browbeating her two adult sons. The woman’s downright tenacious.”
“You’re pulling my leg. Bev’s never even raised her voice around me.”
Her words had him curious. “How long have you known my aunt?”
“She and my mom went to high school together, so my entire life really.”
“How come we never met?” Sure as hell he’d have remembered her.
She shrugged. “My mom and your aunt stay in touch via the phone and email, but they don’t see each other very often.”
“Well, I’m glad to finally make your acquaintance, Summer Chase.”
Her eyes changed hue to a darker shade of brown with small green flecks barely visible. “Me too, Gage.”