Page 2 of The Summer for Us (Golden Falls #1)

JULIETTE

June

You’re kind of a handful.

Those five words played in my brain over and over, and not even the soft hum of my car’s engine or the music playing through the speakers could drown them out. I hadn’t listened to the audio. I didn’t need to.

Living through the moment once was enough. Being told you’re a handful by a man you’re falling for was something I wouldn’t wish upon anyone.

My feelings for Tony on the show were real and so was my excitement to continue exploring our relationship.

But my enthusiasm disappeared as soon as he said those words to me.

Words that made me feel small, embarrassed, and like I wasn’t enough.

No way in hell was I going to pine after a man who made me feel that way or allow him a space in my heart.

The way he acted during that conversation was a complete switch from the Tony I’d gotten to know. It gave me flashbacks to my various exes, making me question my judgment of men. How did I not see the red flags from the beginning? I’d gotten it completely wrong. Again .

Until the article published, I didn’t even know a recording of our conversation existed. We had already taken off our microphone packs, but they were still in the room. My guess was one of them hadn’t been properly turned off and captured our conversation.

I thought I’d be able to give a simple reason for our breakup— it just didn’t work out —and move on from Paradise Love , from Tony. But that wasn’t the case.

I’d be fine if I never heard or saw anything related to the show again for as long as I lived.

My grip on the steering wheel tightened as a love song crooned through the car’s speakers. I let out a groan, immediately reaching over to turn off the volume. I’d settle on listening to the low, rhythmic rumble of the tires on the highway instead.

I glanced over at my car’s center console screen to see how much time I had left driving. Two hours.

Another two hours of monotonous scenery through the car window, and I’d be able to have a glass of wine. Or maybe I should skip the wine this time. A glass of wine (several, technically) was part of the reason I was in this mess.

At the end of last year, I’d come home from a girls’ night frustrated with my string of failed relationships. I saw a call for applicants for a dating show while scrolling social media. I was on my couch waiting for my Taco Bell delivery and thought, screw it . So, I applied.

When I got selected for the various rounds of interviews, the producers convinced me this show was different from other dating shows and they were looking for contestants who were serious about settling down.

They even had us complete multiple personality and compatibility tests to ensure they were selecting people who would connect romantically.

They claimed the typical struggles of being on a dating show wouldn’t apply here, because Paradise Love was different.

It didn’t take much convincing for me to accept my spot on the show when they offered it. I mean, hello, a trip to Fiji to find love with someone kind, funny, and also looking to settle down? Someone I could potentially create a future with? Yes, please.

I trusted the people behind the show. It was optimistic of me—I knew that now —but they said all the right things. Just like Tony had. I tended to wear my heart on my sleeve, but maybe I shouldn’t. So far, it hadn’t gotten me anything except a few forgettable exes and public embarrassment.

Even though the producers claimed Paradise Love was different, it wasn’t. I wasn’t immune from the low after filming, having my life impacted, or hearing everyone’s opinion on social media. The show used me for ratings and had no problem doing so.

I reached for a sour gummy worm from the bag in my cupholder, going for the head first and ripping the piece of candy as I took a bite.

A ring filled the car, and I let out a groan when I saw it was my older brother Grant calling.

Again . I loved my family, but they hadn’t left me alone since the article was published.

I get they were worried and wanted to help, but they didn’t understand how embarrassing it was to have your biggest insecurities splashed online for thousands of people to comment on.

I was tired of talking and thinking about the show, about Tony, about all of it. But I also knew I couldn’t avoid my brother forever. Reluctantly, I hit the button on my steering wheel to answer. Might as well get this over with.

“Hey, Grant. What’s up?”

“Hey, Jules. I have an update about your apartment.”

I let out a sigh. My apartment in Chicago flooded while I was filming the show, and my landlord made it clear he would get things fixed…at his own pace. I couldn’t move back in until he was done with the work.

Luckily, I’d moved most of my belongings to storage before heading to Fiji, and Grant lived in Chicago, too, so I was able to crash on his couch once I got back.

Due to his busy schedule as a lawyer in the city, I actually hadn’t seen him much, which allowed me to wallow in peace.

But I needed to have a space of my own—and a bed.

I was only twenty-seven, but I swear my back ached more after graduating college.

“Oh, yeah? What’d you find out?” I asked curiously. When I’d told Grant about being kicked out, he’d insisted on looking at my lease to figure out a solution. It was the lawyer in him.

I heard Grant’s key unlocking his condo as we spoke.

“Well, I was right. Your landlord can’t kick you out without giving you accommodations, especially since the damage wasn’t your fault.

But there are no empty units in your building, so he’s going to ask the property company to find you an apartment in a different building.

I also made it clear you won’t be paying rent while you’re not living there.

Might take them a bit to find you a new place, but at least—” He stopped. “Where the hell is your shit?”

For the last couple of weeks, my makeup, clothes, and shoes had been scattered around his neat apartment. And now they weren’t. They were packed up in boxes in the trunk of my car.

“About that…” I laughed awkwardly. “I appreciate you looking into the apartment thing.” I waved my hand as I spoke, even though he couldn’t see me.

“But I actually have it figured out. Well, sort of. I found a cabin in northern Wisconsin that I rented out for a few months. I’m making the drive up now.

I’m about two hours away from the property. ”

Silence filled the other end of the line, and I was pretty sure if I was there in person I’d see Grant’s eye twitching. While I was impulsive, he was orderly. He loved routine, and I loved trying new things.

“Juliette,” he said slowly, his voice gentler than I expected. “You can’t keep running away from your problems like this.”

“That’s not… I’m not…” I stammered, reaching for words to defend my recent decisions, but I couldn’t find them. The leather of the steering wheel creaked under the pressure of my hands, my pulse kicking up a notch.

“I’m worried about you, Jules.”

“I’m fine, Grant. Everything is fine. The drive up here has been great. The cabin will be great. I’ll be?—”

Grant cut me off with a dry chuckle. “Let me guess, great?”

I held back an eye roll. I didn’t appreciate being called out, even if he was right. But I needed to believe everything would turn out fine.

“Keep me posted, alright?” Grant continued. “And let me know if you need anything.”

“I will,” I assured him.

With that, Grant hung up, leaving me to my thoughts about his earlier words.

I wasn’t running away. That’s not what I was doing. Right?

I stared at the picturesque log-sided cabin with large windows, a wraparound porch, and green shutters. The neighboring lake shimmered in the warm sun. Lush trees surrounded the property and the water. It was private, secluded, and peaceful. Exactly what I needed.

The tension in my shoulders lessened a fraction. Getting out of the car also eased the ache in my legs from the five-hour drive.

I tried not to think too much about if my summer plans were exactly what I needed or if I was making another big mistake.

Only time would tell. Yes, coming up here was impulsive, but at least things couldn’t get worse.

Or at least I hoped they wouldn’t. I didn’t think I could handle something else going wrong.

The cabin I booked was in Golden Falls, a town about three hours north of Madison, Wisconsin.

Multiple small lakes, lots of cedar and maple trees, and hiking trails surrounded the town, which had a historic downtown with various local businesses.

From a quick search, I learned people all across the Midwest traveled to Golden Falls, especially during the summer.

Golden Falls was going to be my private getaway—exactly what I needed to clear my head and figure out my next steps. The rental listing called it a “lakeview haven.”

Even though the last few months hadn’t gone my way, I had to believe I could turn things around.

People would forget about me and the show soon enough.

While Tony was getting the brunt of the backlash, I was getting all the pity, and honestly, I wasn’t sure which was worse.

I didn’t need people flooding my social media comments feeling sorry for me or telling me how naive I was to think things were going to turn out differently. I just needed time.

I shook my head to get out of my thoughts, instead focusing on the view in front of me. My temporary fresh start.

First order of business was bringing my belongings from the car into the cabin and unpacking.

“What in the hell do you think you’re doing? This is private property.” The low, booming voice startled me. I’d been so distracted that I didn’t hear the crunch of gravel behind me.

A scoff of disbelief escaped me as I turned toward the voice. A man trying to lecture me. Just what I needed.

I wish my body hadn’t reacted when I turned, but my gaze was immediately drawn to him. He stood tall—well over six feet—and muscular, his presence striking. His dark-brown hair was hidden under a forward-facing baseball cap that said Lake Ridge . His facial hair was neatly trimmed.

And those dark-brown eyes bore into me.

Somehow, he looked rugged and put together at the same time. An addicting combination—one I had no interest in.

I wet my lips. “I’m staying here for the summer.

I’m renting the cabin from Lily Richards.

” I peeked behind his broad frame and noticed there was no car, so I assumed he must’ve walked over from one of the other properties down the road.

Since this was my fresh start, I didn’t want my mood to taint our first impression.

I opted to be friendly to the stranger. “I’m Juliette Campbell, but everyone calls me Jules. Do you live nearby?”

“Like hell you’re staying here,” he grumbled, completely ignoring my question and introduction. Okay, then. “This place hasn’t been rented for years.” Had I blinked in that moment, I would’ve missed the slight crease in his forehead and the way his jaw tensed.

His arms were now crossed, the simple black tee pulled taut against his chest and straining against his biceps. His dark-wash jeans hung perfectly on his hips.

The flicker of emotion was gone, and the irritation was evident. And any motivation I had to be polite was gone, too. This man radiated selfish, and that was exactly the type I’d vowed to stay away from. See, I could recognize red flags.

“I am staying here,” I clarified. “And I have no problem calling Lily to confirm my stay. I’m only here for the summer.”

“Of course, it’s just for the summer. That’s how it always is with you city girls,” he scoffed, and the look on his face said it all. Whatever the reason, he didn’t want me here.

My lips parted in surprise, and I let out a dry, humorless laugh. Seriously? What an asshole.

“What the hell does that mean?” I quickly shook my head. “You know what, never mind. I need to start unpacking, unless you planned on helping me?” I stood up straight, my eyes not leaving his intense gaze.

A muscle in his jaw twitched. “Smart ass,” he muttered.

“Better than just being an ass.” I faked a smile.

With an irritated sigh and shake of his head, he turned around without another word and stormed off down the gravel driveway. “Real nice,” he grumbled under his breath.

“You started it!” I yelled over my shoulder as I lugged my bright-pink suitcase up the wooden steps.

I had a bad feeling I’d just met—and pissed off—one of my neighbors. Not quite the fresh start I was hoping for.

But I had no intention of leaving. I was finally looking out for myself, and he sure as hell wasn’t going to drive me out.

This summer was for me.