Page 55 of Summer Ever After

Chapter Nineteen

She was beginning to believe that she did deserve normal. After running into Ian at the shopping center, she didn’t feel afraid of him for the first time since she’d married him. It was as if a switch to her fear had been turned off.

Sure, she understood that he could still harm her, but with Aaron and the rest of the gang at River Camps on her side, she was pretty sure she could handle anything he threw at her.

Beth set her fork down, feeling pleasantly full and a little surprised that she’d eaten every bite. The meal was rich with flavor, the kind of meal that warmed more than her stomach. She’d been happily surprised to find out shrimp and noodles had somehow been the perfect fit together.

She reached for her glass of water, brushing her fingers over the condensation. “Thank you,” she said softly.

Aaron glanced up from his plate. “For what?”

“For… this evening, shopping, dinner, the company. Letting me take over your house so easily, your life.” She gave him a wry smile. “For making me forget about everything else for a little while.”

His gaze lingered on her, steady and warm, in a way that made her chest tighten. “You don’t have to thank me, Beth. I like having you in my home. I like spending time with you. Making sure that you’re healing. That you’re safe.”

Her throat went dry, and for a moment she couldn’t find words. Just then, the waitress arrived and offered them the dessert menu.

Aaron ordered a large slice of chocolate cake with ice cream, and she decided to as well.

They chatted some more over their rich desserts, neither of them rushing to leave. The restaurant crowd had thinned out, the low hum of conversation and the clink of silverware fading until only a few tables remained occupied. When the server dropped off the check, Aaron slid his card in without even glancing her way. Beth wanted to protest, but the quiet finality in his expression told her she’d lose that battle.

He stood first, offering her his hand as if it was the most natural thing in the world. She let him help her up, her palm tingling from the steady warmth of his grip.

Outside, the air carried the distant echo of waves. Neon from the restaurant’s sign buzzed above them, casting a glow that made the parking lot feel softer, almost safe.

The ride back to the house was quiet. Not tense, just filled with the kind of silence that comes when two people don’t need to fill every space with words. She leaned her head against the window, watching the road blur past under the sweep of headlights, her body heavy with exhaustion but her mind strangely light.

Aaron’s presence wrapped around her like a shield, and for once, she didn’t feel the constant urge to glance over her shoulder.

“I pushed you too hard today,” he said as he parked next to her car.

“No.” She held in a yawn. “It was a perfect day.”

“I’ll grab these bags, you head inside,” he started but she stopped him.

“I’m not too tired to bring in my haul.” She laughed. “Here.” She handed him the two small bags containing the items he’d purchased that evening. “You carry your things, I’ll take mine.” She started to gather her many bags, but it was too many for one trip.

“I’ll grab the rest.” He laughed and easily grabbed the remaining bags. “You can still be independent by putting them all away yourself, now that your hand has fully healed.”

She looked down at her fingers and wiggled them while keeping a hold on her bags. Her cuts and bruises were almost completely gone.

In truth, just being around Aaron made her feel much better.

They carried her things up to her room, and she set everything down on the small sofa that sat opposite the bed. She sat on the edge of the bed as Aaron set the rest of the bags down.

He looked at her and she could tell he was unsure of what was going to happen next.

She was tired, but the fire inside her, the desire for him, was burning so bright it caused her weariness to fall aside.

“Come here,” she said with a smile.

“Beth.” Her name was a warning. “You’re tired.”

“So, we can just snuggle,” she suggested.

He laughed. “No, we can’t.” He moved closer to her, practically prowling across the room. “If I get in that bed with you right now,” he said slowly, taking a step with each word, “I won’t just be able to snuggle.” He stopped directly in front of her. “So, for tonight…” He leaned down and brushed a kiss over her lips and she melted. “This will have to do.” He straightened. “Good night, Beth.”

He turned and walked out of the room, shutting the door quietly behind him.