All Summer on a Date: Three Romantic Comedy Short Stories Read Online Free PDF Page A

added.
    “My absolute pleasure,” Jeff told them. “What an awesome way to ring in the New Year.”
    “We better get on the road,” Romy said, looking up at the wall clock. “It's getting late.”
    Summer looked at Starbuck, who was leaning against Mary's leg. “You've got the meds and instructions?”
    Chuck held them up in confirmation.
    “Well, I guess that's it then.” Summer looked down at Starbuck. “It's been an honor.”
    Jeff bent to Starbuck and kissed her on the head. He kept his lips pressed to her fur for a long moment before he straightened up and ruffled the dog's ears. “See ya, Starbuck.”
    “Starbuck,” Summer cried, and threw her arms around the dog. “Don't forget to call. And write. Be good.”
    Starbuck licked her face, and Summer never wanted to let go. But she had to.
    Summer and Jeff watched through the double glass doors as the family drove away. Neither one looked at the other. They turned back inside to get their stuff.
    “Huh,” Summer said, noticing she'd gotten a text. “What?!” she squawked. As she read, her eyebrows slammed fiercely downward.
    It made no sense. None at all. She scrolled up her screen and saw that Noly Parker had left a first message, a few minutes earlier. Now Summer really didn't understand. First, Noly is angry because Summer “blew her off” when she'd “found something better to do.” Better to do? Who would even know what she was doing?
    Kyle would.
    What was he saying about her at the Silversmith Party?
    But then the second message.
     
    Noly : Summer, I am so sorry - I can really get going when I get my bitch on. I got some bad intel. You are a hero. I can't think of anyone I'd rather give my money to. Be at my office on Wilshire on the 5 th at10 am and we'll get started on the Watts project.
     
    It couldn't be true. It made no sense. But Noly had to be serious—she'd texted Summer using whole sentences, and Noly only did that when she meant business.
    But what had happened? She must have gotten her bad intel from Kyle. But then ... what? Kyle had experienced a miraculous change of heart and told the truth, casting Summer in a more flattering light? As a hero?
    Her phone buzzed as another text from Noly came through.
     
    Noly : And after watching that video, I am totally going 2 adopt a friend for my little Minka!
     
    Video? Minka? Noly was going to adopt another Maltese?
    Summer's head snapped up and she found Jeff watching her intently, looking like he was holding his breath.
    “Jeff? Jeff? What did you do?”
    “What's happening?” he asked instead. “Good or bad?”
    “Jeff!” Summer cried. “I asked you first!”
    “Okay. Okay. A text came through when you were with everybody. From Noly, and it was bad. I got her number off your phone and texted her the video of Starbuck's family reunion. And I wrote, “This is why Summer's late. She found a lost dog on the way to the party.”
    Summer just stared at him, her eyes growing as round as planets.
    “It was one of those moments, Summer. At least for me.” Jeff took a deep breath. “Noly was mad at you, and at a party. Any second she could put her phone away and not look at it for the rest of the night. If I didn't act right then, when I had the chance to make a difference, I … Please, just tell me what happened.”
    “It worked,” Summer said quietly, almost as if she were just realizing it. She nodded slowly, trying to catch her suddenly short breath. “You were trying to help me, and it worked. She's giving me the green light. It really worked. IT WORKED!”
    Summer threw herself at him, hugging him hard. She felt how solid his lean frame was under the Doctor Who T-shirt. He was warm and in her arms and felt so good. And he was hugging her back.
    But then he pushed her away, holding her at arm's length. “Summer Hodiak, you kicked butt tonight.”
    “Thanks to you!”
    He bowed. “A pleasure, m'lady. An old Honda, grandma's quilts, and a cell phone. My weapons of