Expiration Date Read Online Free PDF

her peripheral vision, she saw Mylisha fold her arms and stare off.
    Fine. The girl could go on living in a religious bubble, but Summer wasn’t about to pass up a chance to contact Clay Ryker. Officially, this was the first day of summer—her day. Would Clay remember her? The odds were in her favor. They’d been in high school together, during the early nineties. Like,
where
had the time gone?
    Plus, now that he was back in town, he needed to know a few things. Time to spill one of her closely guarded secrets.

    Beaming, Summer felt heat touch her cheeks. “You’re sure it’s no bother?”
    “Not at all,” Clay’s voice assured through her neon-colored cell phone.
    “Good. I’d love to talk with you.”
    “Why not? It’ll be nice to see you all grown up. Last time I remember, you were one of those pesky high school sophomores. Thanks for catching me up on the latest. Almost forgot how gossip makes this town go round.”
    “Better to
create
some commotion than admit we don’t have any, right?”
    “I guess so. You know where my parents live, out on Cox Butte Road?”
    “Like I’d forget.”
    “In a little while, then,” Clay said.
    By obtaining his permission, Summer felt acquitted of any wrongdoing. What further excuse did she need? She’d always been attracted to Clay’s lean, mean physique. He was a missed opportunity.
    Sorry, Mylisha, but you took your stance. Now I get a turn
.
    Summer drove slowly to maintain a facade of nonchalance. The way to the Rykers’ led across croplands before rising to the crest of a wooded knoll. Her headlights played through dust and pollen kicked up by the day’s farm equipment. As she pulled into the driveway, stars winked with hints of romance. The night was on her side.
    She made adjustments in the mirror. With a finger still touched to her lips, she noticed a figure watching from the porch. She’d been caught in the act of primping.
    Oh, well. Let him stare
.
    She stepped from the car, tossed her hair.
    “Summer.” Clay’s voice sounded deeper than on the phone. Warmer too. Leaning against the rail, he looked bulkier than she remembered. A grown man.
    She twirled once for inspection. “It’s me, the same little girl from JC.”
    “It’s you, all right.” He took a long, miscalculated stride that bypassed the steps and dropped him on the path before her. He caught himself. “Been waiting for you out here, waiting for an excuse to get out of this place. Parents.” He threw a thumb over his shoulder. “They never let go, do they?”
    “Well, you
are
back in their house. How’s it feel, being in town?”
    “Claustrophobic. Hardly anything’s changed.”
    She noticed Clay’s words were slurred. “What about you? You found work yet?”
    “I’ll do some job hunting tomorrow, but no more tree trimming or pipe laying. Did enough of that as a teenager.”
    “You’ll find something. I know you will.”
    “Starting over.” He turned to stare at his childhood home. “What a concept. Never thought I’d be here again, closing in on the big three-o.”
    “Life can get pretty crazy.”
    “Don’t know if I can handle it. Being in someone else’s house, eating someone else’s food. You should see the fridge. My mom’s got V8 juice and yogurt stuffed between Dad’s six-packs of Miller Lite.”
    “Free drinks? Bonus.”
    “Rock on,” Clay agreed with false cheer. “Really, I didn’t expect to end up like this. Things just came apart piece by piece.”
    “You and Jennifer?”
    “Jenni.” His voice caressed the name.
    “And you were such a sweet couple.” She waved away his questioning look. “Remember a couple years back? You were in town on summer vacation, I think, and I ran into you guys at the Scandinavian Festival.”
    “Okay. Yeah. In the beer garden, right?”
    “What a night. All huddled under the tent while it poured down rain.”
    Clay gripped a porch post. “I’m taking my son to the festival this year. According to our