One Summer of Love by Reese Ryan

Author:Reese Ryan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2023-05-30T19:29:43+00:00

Eleven

Laney didn’t bother knocking as she entered Nolan’s back gate. He was already expecting her. Besides, if she stopped to knock, she might find a reason to return to the comfort of her own back patio.

She still couldn’t believe the stodgy CFO who seemed to prefer his alone time had come over to check on her. She was even more shocked he’d invited her to his place for a cookout. Laney had gone out to lunch with Chandra and Naya a few times since she’d begun working at the winery. She’d even gone out to lunch with Ray and Maria. But Nolan had maintained his distance. Laney hadn’t even seen him at the pool, no matter how many times she’d tried to run into him there “accidentally.”

Nolan had seemed surprised by her acceptance of his invite, too. Had he invited her over just to be polite?

Laney shook off the thought and made her way up the path to where Nolan was checking on two T-bone steaks and a few brats on the grill.

“Mmm... That smells good.” Laney smiled. She lifted the cloth grocery bag on her shoulder. “I’d already made a salad and my first attempt at lemon icebox pie,” she said cheerfully. “So I thought I’d bring them.”

“Thanks.” Nolan put the lid on the grill, wiped his hands on a towel, then led her into the kitchen. “That’s one of my favorite pies.”

She remembered. It’d come up in their random discussion of desserts one day. But it was better not to mention it.

“My God, this place is spotless.” Laney glanced around at the clean, uncluttered countertops and sparkling appliances. The entire place smelled like lemons and sunshine.

“Today was cleaning day.” He shrugged when she looked surprised. “I promised my sisters I wouldn’t come into the office or work from home.”

“So you cleaned your house instead?” Laney did her best to hold back a grin. The man’s desk was organized, neat as a pin and dusted regularly. Unsurprisingly, his home mirrored it.

“I should’ve removed my shoes.” She glanced down at her feet.

“It’s fine. Really.” Nolan placed a warm hand on her elbow, sending tiny jolts of electricity up her arm. “Why don’t I take these?”

Nolan set the covered wooden salad bowl on the table and put the lemon icebox pie in the refrigerator. “Would you like a beer? I only have imported pale ales.” He indicated one of those mix-and-match six-packs grocery stores often offered. The kind she preferred, too. It gave her the chance to try out new flavors.

When she selected a light-bodied Belgian beer, Nolan chuckled to himself. He handed her a bottle opener.

“What?” Laney popped the top, then tossed it into the trash.

“That’s the one I would’ve picked for you.” He grinned proudly.

Laney sipped her beer, then pointed the longneck toward Nolan. “You made a couple of educated guesses about me, Valentine. Don’t gloat.”

“Whatever you say, Carlisle.” Nolan headed toward the back patio and she followed.

They settled onto opposite ends of the outdoor sofa.

“So about this story you said required beer and barbecue.

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