“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 yelled.

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.