Page 20 of The Romantic Agenda

Summer carries most of their haul into the house, multiple bags looped around her arms like a pro. “One trip.”

Joy snickers, amused despite her inner turmoil. “Impressive. My delicate hands are happy to leave you to it.”

Malcolm’s face lights up when he sees them. Joy isn’t sure if it’s for Summer or her, but for now the best she can hope for is both. “Get what you need?”

Summer quickly scans the room. No sign of Fox. “We’re making a cake for tonight.”

“You are?” Malcolm asks Joy, who reclines against the counter after setting his keys down.

“We.”

“A cake? Together? Really?”

“I saidoui.” It takes several heartbeats for her joke to register—and the resulting look in Malcolm’s eyes as his soul tries to leave his body sends Joy cackling into oblivion.

“What’s so funny?” Summer, dedicated to secrecy, begins stashing the ingredients as far back in the cabinets and fridge as she can push them.

“Nothing,” Malcolm says. “That’s the problem.”

Joy snorts. “But you recognized it, though. Ten out of ten for effectiveness.”

“Anyway.” A reluctant laugh escapes him. “I have a small aquatic surprise planned. So if you want to go put on your swimsuits...”

“Is it a boat? Are we going boating? Wait, don’t tell me. I want to be surprised.” Summer plants a kiss on his cheek before dashing out of the room, presumably to go change.

Malcolm didn’t react to that kiss at all. A very good sign.

Joy squints at him, making her best Marge Simpson–type groan.

“Don’t start. Youlovethe water.” Malcolm moves to stand next to her and begins to rub her back. She turns her body toward him, head hovering dangerously near his shoulder. It’d be so easy to just wrap her arms around him and rest there.

Malcolm asks, “Are you feeling better?”

Joy frowns up at him. “Better?”

He nods. “You two ran off before I could ask.”

“Why would you think I was upset?”

“Well, one second you’re in the car and the next you’re in the lake. You know what? You’re right. That’s perfectly normal Joy behavior.”

Joy laughs lightly, grinning at him. “Fine. I’m tired.”

Giving in, she places her forehead on his shoulder, and he meets her the rest of the way, wrapping her up in a hug. Malcolm is affectionate by nature, both giving and receiving. The only timehe draws a hard line with Joy is when he’s in a relationship with someone, out of respect for his partner’s feelings.

His breath whispers across her ear, voice soft and concerned. “That’s all?”

No.“Yeah.”

“Promise.”

“Absolutely not.”

“Come on.” Gently, he tugs her toward the stairs. “I want to get your opinion on something while you decide which of the thirty swimsuits you brought you’re gonna wear.”

“Excuse you. I only broughttwo, thank you very much.”

Upstairs, Joy plops down in the middle of her room while unzipping her suitcases.