“The song reminds me of your date in the play,” Aiden adds. “The one that never seems to end.”
“You’re right,” I say, squeezing his hand under the table. “Only, this is the summer that never ends.”
“You had rolling backgrounds for the play,” Riley says. “There was a beach, an amusement park, even a big moon. All we’d need is surfboards mounted on springs. Do you think the school would let us borrow the sets?”
“We could rent or buy them from the school,” Damian says. “We have a budget.”
“Money talks,” Riley replies. Then he turns to Cooper. “Do you have the dean’s number?”
“I do. Would you like me to make a call?”
“Yeah. We’d need to pick them up this week,” Riley says. “That way when everyone gets back in town, we can start shooting.”
“That’s cutting it pretty close,” Damian states.
“We can do it,” Riley says confidently.
“What about you, Keatyn? Can you do it?” Damian asks me. “Please.”
I glance at Cooper, who shakes his head no at me.
I think about it for a second.
I’m not sure how it will all work out, but a promise is a promise. And let's face it. My original plan has unraveled and gone to shit. Might as well start on a new one.
“Yeah, I’m in.”
Stranglehold hugs.
7pm
I’m waiting by the door for Cooper to get back with Tommy. It feels like it’s been forever since I’ve seen him.
The second he crosses the threshold, I leap into his arms and hug him with all my might.
He hugs me back then says with a laugh, “You and Gracie give the same stranglehold hugs.”
I try not to cry, even though I feel like it. My emotions are so everywhere.
I finally let go of him, turn around, and sweep my arms out. “So, this is it. My loft.”
Tommy looks around, taking in the wood floors, brick walls, and arched ceiling beams. “The architecture is amazing, Keatyn. How did you find it?”
“I think it found me. I just happened to go online and saw it was for sale. It’d only been on the market for a few days. Aiden,” I say, as he walks into the living room, “this is Tommy. Tommy Stevens, this is Aiden Arrington.”
Tommy gives me a look. One that makes me think he’s going to say something like I thought his name was the God of all Hotties.
But, fortunately, he shakes Aiden’s hand instead. “Nice to meet you, Aiden. Keatyn says you’ve been a good friend to her at Eastbrooke. With everything she’s been through, you don’t know how much her mother and I appreciate that.”
“I’ve just recently learned the extent of all of that. And you’re welcome, sir. She means a lot to me.”
Cooper, who made sure Tommy got here without being followed, jabs my side with his elbow, then raises his eyebrows and smirks at me like I should be embarrassed.
But I’m not.
I’m totally melting.
I smile at them both and say, “Come see the kitchen, Tommy. We’ll get you a drink, show you the rest of the place, and then we can get started.”
With a drink in hand, I give Tommy the tour. Cooper and Aiden stay in the kitchen, discussing what we’re going to have for dinner.
I show Tommy the bedrooms, including the one he’ll be sleeping in tonight. Cooper figured it’d be easiest, since we’ll be working late.
“Which one is Aiden’s?” Tommy asks teasingly.
I point to one of the bedrooms. The one where Aiden has been keeping his clothes. “He has a bunch of clothes in that one, Dad,” I tease.
Tommy narrows his eyes at me and I spill my guts.
“Fine. He’s sleeping in my room. But—”
“But what?”
“We haven’t yet.”
“Haven’t had sex yet?”
I nod my head.
Tommy’s eyes narrow further and he tilts his head. “Interesting.”
“Why is that interesting?”
He shrugs. “Just is. You love him, don’t you?”
“I do love him. I wanted to tell him after the dance, but then everything blew up. It’s hard, Tommy. My life is so uncertain right now. I know you don’t want to hear it, but things with Vincent are coming to a head. I can feel it. There’s a real possibility that . . . it might not go well.”
“Then you should tell him soon.”
“But that doesn’t make sense. I’m trying to make this easier on him. I don’t know what will happen when it’s over.”
“Keatyn, no one knows what’s going to happen. That’s why you have to live life to its fullest, whether you have a stalker or not. That’s why you make sure the people you love know you love them. So, if you get hit by a bus tomorrow, they will have known.”
“I’ve been trying to protect him.”
“You shouldn’t. He loves you.”
“How can you tell?”
“He laid out his feelings for you when he shook my hand. Men appreciate directness. Fathers appreciate it. It tells them the guy isn’t just messing around.” He looks at me and laughs. “Or not messing around, in this case.”
“Tommy! That’s not funny. Why don’t I show you the upstairs?”
“Changing the subject doesn’t change anything.”
“I know,” I say with a laugh.