The Summer of Jake Read Online Free PDF

was convenient because the movement hid my body’s shameful lack of obedience and the slight residual trembling from Mindy’s near-death experience. “Oh good, that’s what I was going for.” I glanced at the room-wide display of my favorite colors, all in bold, intense tones. Mainly pinks, greens, purples and yellows.
    He was inspecting details other people usually missed, like the butter yellow picture frames that matched the windowsills. “I’m surprised you managed to use all these outlandish colors and still end up with an almost conservative look.”
    I dropped my bag on the table and walked over to where he stood. “It’s all in what color you put where and the amounts you use of each. Basic design concepts.”
    He turned to me and grinned. “I’m impressed. I’ve obviously employed the right person for my makeover if you can do this to your apartment.”
    An uncontrollable smile spread across my face. “Thank you.”
    At that moment, Rover came bounding out from my bedroom, almost barreling over Jake as she jumped up on his leg. I think he faltered more from surprise than her cat-weight. I bent to pick her up, but she was scrabbling her paws to reach the new person.
    Jake took a step back. “Is that cat on medication?”
    Used to this kind of comment, I just smiled. “Rover thinks she’s a dog. A Jack Russell to be specific.”
    “Ah.” Jake thought for a moment, then shrugged and reached forward to pat her. “Have you considered therapy?”
    For a second, I wondered if he meant the cat or me, but then his eyes twinkled.
    “No need. She’s perfectly happy as long as people treat her like a dog.” Rover turned and licked my cheek as if to reinforce my point. “She was dumped at four weeks old outside my grandmother’s house, and Nan took her in.”
    “Let me guess, your grandmother had a Jack Russell who adopted the kitten?”
    “Her dog Spot completely took over her care. And Nan didn’t like cats, so she treated Rover like a dog. Between the two of them, Rover didn’t stand a chance.” I snuggled my face into her black and white stripy neck, and she relaxed for a few seconds before trying to reach Jake again.
    “So why’s she living with you?”
    I put Rover down on the ground, and she sniffed the leg of Jake’s jeans. “When Nan died a year ago, Spot had already been gone a little while, so Rover came to live here. I’ll just give her some dog food, and we can start.”
    Jake started nodding, then hesitated. “You feed her dog food? Isn’t that taking things a bit far?”
    I rolled my eyes. “It’s C-A-T food,” I spelled out. “We just can’t let Rover know that.” I filled Rover’s dish then pointed down the hall. “Come into my workroom. It’s easier to see the designs there.”
    As he followed me down the short hall, I could feel his gaze. When I’d walked down his hall, I’d watched his backside. What was he looking at now? The pictures on the wall? The carpet? My bottom? Should I waggle it in case? Perhaps do that little flourish thing I’d seen strippers in movies do?
    Before I could decide, I was at the door to the workroom, converted from a spare bedroom. The walls were covered in sketches, and the desk was strewn with my works-in-progress. Designs and neat piles of fabric overflowed the open cupboards, a worktable supported the sewing machine and an assortment of pins, scissors, and measuring tape, and in one corner was a dressmaker’s mannequin with a half-finished jacket I was working on.
    “Wow,” Jake said as he turned around, taking it all in. “This reminds me of my first board design workshop. Except this is smaller and more colorful. I like it.”
    I felt that uncontrollable smile return and was embarrassed by how easily his compliments affected me. Had I no shred of control? To cover, I picked up the portfolio of designs I’d stayed up half the night putting together. “These are all casual wear, suitable for the beach or to be worn over