A Special Summer (Love Conquers All) Read Online Free PDF Page A

loved the feel of her hair. It felt like what he’d imagined – soft, thick silk.
    Summer shivered from the deep vibration his voice sent out. She had to say something, anything to help her regain her balance.
    “Where’s my purse?” she asked her friends who apparently were in a daze.
    Ava and Starr were just as taken as they stood staring wide eyed as the fine brotha made a simple act of helping a woman with her coat appear so sensual. Not to mention the way he was gazing at their girl Summer made goose bumps pop up all over them. They could only imagine what she was feeling.
    Starr whispered to Ava, “Brotha got it going on.”
    “You ain’t said nothin’ but a word.”
    “Hellooo. Have you seen my purse?”
    Snapping out of the trance, Starr pointed, “Right there on the sofa.” Taking quick steps to the sofa picking up the purse she handed it to Summer.
    Giving each a quick hug, Summer told them she’ll see them later. Meaning, “Don’t go anywhere until I get back home.”
    Both the women nodded their heads in understanding.
    ♥♥♥
    “Are you always so quiet?” Nick wanted to know as he intently examined Summer.
    Looking up from the menu Summer’s gaze was met by intense dark eyes encased in a serious expression.
    “Umm, no, not really,” she answered barely above a whisper.
    “Then why are you so quiet now?”
    Hunching slender shoulders, she admitted, “I guess I’m just a little nervous.”
    Nick took a sip from his water glass. “Of what?”
    Letting out a slow breath, Summer tried to steady the quivering of her voice. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been on a date.”
    “And why is that? I know you must get asked out all the time.” Nick paused as his expression changed from intense to playful. “I noticed all those dudes asking you to dance. But you shot them down, one after the other. You broke a lot of hearts.”
    He was right. Men did ask her out all the time. However, she avoided men like the bird flu because they usually only wanted one thing… Sex.
    Lowering her head avoiding eye contact, she mumbled, “Because I don’t like being treated like an object.” Sex object that is.
    Summer breathed a sigh of relief when the waiter suddenly appeared at their table. After they ordered dinner the conversation moved to other topics. Nick decided to drop his line of questioning, it was clear she was uncomfortable. So instead, they talked about what they did for a living, their families, politics; anything to keep the evening from becoming strained.
    Over dinner they discovered they both were an only child and were born and raised in Philly. Nick had gone to Central High School, the all boys’ school at the time, down on Ogontz and Olney Avenues. And Summer to Girl’s High at Broad Street and Olney Avenue, one city block away. Nick teased her about being in elementary school while he was in high school.
    Sadness washed over Summer when Nick told her he and his dad had spoken only twice since his mother’s death. He shared with her they never had a good relationship.
    He told her the malice between father and son further festered when he decided not to pursue law.
    Summer couldn’t believe Nick’s father was the Honorable Judge Henry Stiles, who presided on the bench as a federal judge. Judge Stiles was known for throwing the book at criminals, especially repeat offenders. At least that’s how the media portrayed him.
    Summer’s background wasn’t as illustrious as Nick’s. Her father had owned a small business as an electrician and her mother operated an in-home daycare center. Summer was proud; however, to tell him she was very close to her parents even if her mother did drive her crazy at times being overly opinionated about everything. Summer wasn’t ashamed to tell him she was scared that her parents had decided to move to North Carolina to build their dream home leaving her with no close family ties. Aunts, uncles, and cousins were scattered all over the country.