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summer,” John suggested. “They’re saying it’s going to be a hot one.” 
    “That should be interesting,” Gloria chimed in. “We’ll probably be too busy to enjoy it. And you’ll be working on my house, poor you.”
    “Well, my guys will be working on it,” he clarified. “They’re the ones you should feel sorry for,” he added. “Make sure you give them lots of cold drinks.”
    “Of course,” Gloria agreed, all smiles and gushing.
    “It’s too bad we don’t live right on the beach like you, John,” Sophie said, finally summing up the courage to speak. “That cool breeze coming off the ocean is amazing in the summer,” she added, remembering the gorgeous property he grew up on.
    “Wow, you have your own beach?” Jesse asked. “Maybe we should hang at your place.”
    “Please do,” John urged with a wicked smile, not really looking at him, but at Sophie who was practically melting in her seat. “Anytime… you’re welcome,” he added, not taking his eyes off her.
    “Uh…” Sophie shifted in her seat.
    A smile slowly stretched across his face. Yep, it was the same smile she remembered, yet different – sexy.
    “Your popsicle’s melting,” John pointed out.
    She looked down and saw the sticky treat melting right on the table, not to mention her fingers. She had completely forgotten about it – how completely embarrassing.
    “Oops,” she said meekly. “You’re right,” she mumbled as she got up to go throw the melting Popsicle in her mother’s vintage apron sink.
    She grabbed a cloth, and proceeded to wipe the table. All of a sudden, all eyes were fixed on her, and the kitchen was dead quiet.
    “A little distracted?” her mother asked.
    Shifting gazes, and smirks all around the table.
    Oh geez, she wondered if her son could tell she was hot for this unkempt but incredibly sexy guy sitting at the table – how mortifying.
    “So your Mom tells me you’re an editor at a food magazine,” John said matter-of-factly, finally easing up on her.
    “Was…” she clarified. “Was… I was let go,” she reluctantly admitted.
    “I’m sorry to hear that,” he said softly, sounding genuine. “Are you looking for another job?”
    That was a good question. She hadn’t really considered it. She had decided to let her passions lead the way. Marcus’ estate had set her and Jesse up comfortably – she could afford to take a little pause.
    “No,” she told him, her eyes downcast. “In fact, I was thinking of possibly working on a book for a while.”
    “You mean you haven’t done it yet?” he asked. “You always wanted to.”
    Sophie smiled at him, impressed he would remember such details. But of course he would. John had always been curious about others – never self-centered.
    “Actually, it’s not a novel,” she explained. “It’s a cookbook… meal and lunch ideas for kids using yummy healthy ingredients.”
    He smiled. “That’s exactly what I need. All my daughter eats is grilled cheese sandwiches.”
    “Actually, that’s the case with most kids,” she told him. “That’s exactly the reason I’m writing it.”
    “It’s a great idea,” Gloria chimed in. “She should really do it, don’t you think, John?”
    “Absolutely,” he agreed. “And I’ll be the first to buy a copy.”
    “That would be nice,” Sophie said, gazing at the wall. She couldn’t quite look directly at him – whenever she did, she lost her words.
    He was being so sweet – just as he had always been.
    “Well anyway, what about you,” she said attempting to change the subject. “Where do you work?”
    “I’m a contractor. I do renovations and landscaping,” he told her. “Doing a little work for your Mom too.”
    “John has his own company,” Gloria boasted. “He has his own equipment, his own truck,” she went on. “He has six employees,” she added. “He’s doing quite well for himself,” she noted, beaming at John, who seemed a little uncomfortable.
    You don’t