Page 2 of One Sizzling Summer (Texas Summer #4)
Chapter two
Emma
T he past few days have been terrible. Being so close to Mr. Simpson, I mean Ben, and not being able to tell him how I feel has been rough. But all that changes tonight.
After tonight, I’ll either find out if Ben feels the same way about me that I feel about him, or I’ll realize it’s time to let go of my crush and move on. Even though I know it’s more than just a schoolgirl crush.
I couldn’t believe my luck when I arrived at my grandparents' lake house and saw Ben sitting on the dock.
I knew my grandparents had rented out the small lake house, but they said it was to a famous writer who mostly kept to himself.
I had no idea it would be my college professor and that he had a secret identity.
The string bikini was a gift my grandmother left at the lake house, along with a bunch of other sexy dresses and lingerie I wasn’t expecting. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad she bought it for me. I just didn’t expect my grandmother to play matchmaker.
After our awkward hellos on the first day, Ben and I realized we would be neighbors for the summer. It took three days of me lying on the dock, pretending to want to sunbathe, before he finally approached me to have dinner with him.
Speaking of having dinner with him.
I lean up, push myself to a standing position, grab my towel, and make my way back to my house. It’s time to get ready for either the best or the worst night of my life.
Aware of the eyes watching me from Ben’s house like they do every day, I consciously slow my pace and sway my hips from side to side, hoping to entice Ben enough that he’ll realize we are made for each other.
I lift my hand, smile, and wave to Ben, letting him know I see him watching me. A thrill runs down my spine knowing he sees me in something other than a t-shirt and jeans.
As soon as I step inside my house, I don’t have time to shower before my phone starts ringing.
“Hey, Grandma.” I cradle the phone between my ear and neck while I wash the sunscreen off my hands in the kitchen sink.
Luckily, I have both the spray and lotion versions of sun protection because I haven’t convinced Ben to rub the lotion onto the spots I can’t reach.
“What do I have the pleasure of your call?”
“Oh, you’re such a cheeky girl.” Grandma’s voice sounds much healthier than when she convinced me she was too ill for her and Grandpa to stay at the lake house this summer. “How are you getting along with your neighbor, Ben?”
“We’re getting along just fine. We’re actually going to have dinner tonight at his place.” I debate whether to tell Grandma that I’ve known Ben for four years, so he’s not new to me. But for once, I want to be one step ahead of her.
“Good to hear. Now I think you should wear that white lacy dress I bought you, the one that looks like a wedding dress for a beach ceremony.” And there it is. I knew the matchmaker in my grandma would show up sooner or later.
“It’s super casual. I’ll probably wear a pair of jeans and a t-shirt.” I hold back a giggle as she blusters about how a lady should always wear a dress to dinner. “I've got to go get ready, Grandma. I love you.”
“I love you, too, dear. Call me tomorrow and let me know how your date went. But I won’t expect a call too early in case you and Ben are sleeping in.”
“Grandma!” I’m too stunned by her innuendo, I can’t say anything else.
“What? I was your age once, you know. Your grandfather and I used to sneak around whenever we could before we got married. In fact, it’s been a while since I held a baby in my arms.” And now it’s time to end this conversation, because I definitely don’t want to think about Grandma and Grandpa doing it.
“I’m hanging up now.”
“Maybe you should go commando.”
I hang up the phone before she gives me any more advice on how to snag a boyfriend or baby daddy.
Now, I need to shower and get ready for my date, but all I can think about is Grandma’s advice to go to Ben’s without wearing underwear.
Am I really that brave?