About Last Summer

Forcing his thoughts away from the tempting woman upstairs, he focused on shutting off the lights and purposely heading downstairs.

*****

The following morning Natalie berated herself for the way she ended her ‘date’ with Chase. How stupid could she be sassing him like that? Last night she’d been overcome with the most insane urge to push his buttons, but today the quaking in her stomach reminded her of how easily she could get caught in the same trap.

It also didn’t help that her mom had chosen today of all days to come into the office. Usually it was only Natalie, and her mother’s other assistant who did the actual work. Doris typically only worked on a consultation basis and as the occasional personal favor for a friend.

Today, however, Doris hovered around offering advice, which usually went something like, “Did you check with the caterers about the changes in the Bryants’ wedding? No? Well, I would have thought you would have called already, but I’m sure you know best.” Or “Is that the color for Patricia Myers’ dress? I mean with her red hair don’t you think pink is a bit much?”

Needless to say by the time lunch rolled around, Natalie’s jaw hurt from clamping her mouth shut. Needing to expel some pent up energy she left Hill Tower Drive, and took her lunch to Beacon Park. Beacon Park was one of Baker Hill’s larger parks. It boasted a carillon, a park pavilion, and a gazebo, which was one of Baker Hill’s more popular places to host a wedding.

After finding a parking space near the playground and picnic area, Natalie found a bench under a shady tree where she could watch children enjoying the sunny day. The recently remodeled play area had a variety of playground equipment, and it even boasted a water feature. A few of the younger boys were dipping their feet into the small pool of water, although some of the older children were taking a more daring approach. Several bikes crisscrossed paths as the children pedaled through the trail of water, while onlookers enjoyed the effect of spraying liquid from the bikes’ wheels.

The older children’s antics reminded her of something Patrick and his friends might have done when they were younger. Amusing herself with that thought, she managed a smile. Who couldn’t help but feel joy sitting outside on a glorious summer afternoon watching the neighborhood children engage in the age-old childhood tradition of playing at the park?

Purposely keeping thoughts of Chase at bay, she continued to watch the children while she ate. But after clearing away the remains of her lunch, she had nothing left to distract her from why she lunched alone. She needed to figure out what to do about Chase.

The only clear solution was to stay as far away from him as possible, but she needed to be subtle about it so as to not tip off Patrick. Last night proved how easily she could be drawn into another affair and she couldn’t, wouldn’t, flat out refused to go through that again.

Walking away from him last year had been sheer hell, and when he didn’t try to stop her it further confirmed what she suspected all along. He didn’t want a relationship. He wanted a plaything.

Well, that description wasn’t exactly fair. Chase had been going through his own hell not knowing if his father would recover, and his squabbling family hadn’t helped. He had tried to continue working, but racing between Baker Hill and New York had proven to be too much. Eventually he took some time off, and moved into one of the properties he was remodeling. Which is where they spent time together, and she had provided him with the distraction he needed to keep going.

Although their time together hadn’t been just about sex. They often spent hours just talking and she knew Chase truly did care about her. She’d never have gone along with their affair otherwise, but she’d also known their relationship wasn’t going to last. Chase never told her his true feelings concerning relationships, but given he never instigated such conversations she felt it safe to assume he preferred to maintain a certain distance.

Knowing her mental review of ancient history wasn’t solving her problems she finished off her Diet Coke. The only solution that seemed even close to feasible was to remain as busy as possible, which would decrease her chances of being alone with him.

It wasn’t the most ingenious plan, but wasn’t there a saying that claimed simple solutions were often the best? Simple was good. Losing control of her heart was bad. Besides, she liked simple. Easy to remember, easy to execute. Yes, keeping things simple seemed like her best option; besides, what other choice did she have?

*****

Pausing, Chase eyed the ceiling of the almost completed living room. His crew had done well, but then they always did. He wouldn’t have them working for him otherwise.

The heels of his boots clicked on the wood floors as he toured the remaining rooms. The house was located in one of the more affluent areas of Baker Hill overlooking Beacon Park. The project was scheduled for completion within the next week, and the house was due to be listed the week after. While Chase traveled his business manager usually handled the details, but now that he was in town, Chase wanted to be more involved.

In the past his business manager would line up a buyer before Chase made the actual investment. Although this time they didn’t have an actual buyer in mind. It made turning over the property a bit trickier, but he felt confident this house would sell fairly quickly. And if it didn’t, well, he’d been through that before, too.

However, he may change his mind about listing so soon. There was something about this house he found welcoming, almost as if it filled an empty place in his heart he hadn’t even realized was there. Getting sentimental over any property was the worst thing any serious real estate flipper could do, as it was difficult to make money if he was reluctant to let go.

But everything about this house, from the detailing in the woodwork to the high ceilings, even the large windows that offered amazing views of the nearby park, gave the feeling of coming home after a long day. But what was even more unsettling, he could almost imagine Natalie living here with him.

As he moved from room to room his mind created images of them sitting down to a meal, or relaxing in front of the fireplace. And his imagination didn’t stop there. Upstairs they would make love in the large master suite with a shower that was adequate enough for two. And then his mind would creep towards the future, and he would find himself thinking about the best place to put a swing seat, or which room would make the best nursery.

He didn’t know what had brought on such fanciful thinking. The making love thoughts were basically a given when he thought about Natalie, but starting a family with her? Was he out of his mind? But despite his misgivings the thoughts continued, and if he and Natalie were to start spending time together again, putting this house on the market would eliminate his only remaining option.

He should have his head examined for even entertaining such thoughts.

Feeling a familiar weight tighten in his chest, he paused to glance out of the window. The fading daylight illuminated the partially done landscaping, but his mind wasn’t on the amount of work remaining. Over the past few days he’d noticed Natalie was avoiding him.

Granted things had gotten a bit out of hand during their ‘date’, and it would have been way too easy for him to take her up on her offer. And he was certain she knew it otherwise why would she be avoiding him? The problem was whenever they were alone keeping their hands off each other had always been a challenge. Evidently, it still was. He should be grateful she suddenly had a million things to tend to outside the house. Not that she was fooling him any, but as long as Patrick didn’t catch on, he supposed it didn’t matter.

Dropping his arm, he stepped away from the window. He shouldn’t be thinking about Natalie. Thinking about her led to wanting things he knew he couldn’t have. But unfortunately Natalie wasn’t his only problem.

In another few weeks he would be returning to New York and the mere thought filled him with dread. When he left Baker Hill last year he thought Natalie would become just another fond memory, but that hadn’t happened. So he worked harder, but it didn’t help. He thought he had the life he wanted, but now that life held little appeal.

A few times he’d toyed with the idea of talking to Natalie about a more permanent relationship, but he refrained. The Malone men had a long history of bad relationships. They seemed to possess the ability to screw up every relationship they had, and Chase’s luck with women wasn’t much better.

He once thought his luck had changed, but when his marriage ended without warning after a scant three years that put an end to that theory. He still didn’t understand what went wrong, and until he did he wasn’t about to attempt another relationship. And if truth be told, he may never attempt another relationship regardless.

Weary of chasing the same thoughts, he decided to head back to Patrick’s. Natalie had an anniversary party to attend, but maybe Patrick would be around to provide him with some distraction.

Pulling into Patrick’s drive, Chase’s heart sunk when he spotted Natalie’s car and not Patrick’s. Briefly, he debated about going somewhere else, but he decided against it. He could control his desire around Natalie. Hadn’t he done just that the other night? Besides he had no choice but to control himself; he had no idea when Patrick would be home.