42. SUMMER IS THE DIFFERENCE

42

SUMMER IS THE DIFFERENCE

Harvey

She squeezes my hand as we ascend the grand stairs of the penthouse and I look down at her. Seeing her stunning face, I take a moment to just drown in her, letting that make me forget where I am, why I'm here, and the knowledge that my night is absolutely going to be shit.

Her beautiful smile compels me to lean in and kiss her cheek, careful with the makeup she spent an hour on. I appreciate the effort but none of these people deserve it. My plan is to show up to be seen and take my girlfriend and get the fuck out of here. There was nothing that said I had to stay all night; I just need to be here.

"The night is going to be over before you know it," she reassures me as we stand, fixing my shirt before we walk in.

She very much knows I need the pep talk; I need to remember the promise of this coming to an end. But even before I walk in, I know I'll be fine. Already my night is way better than I thought it could have been. With her here, maybe the night doesn't have to be as torturous.

"I can't wait for the night to be over so I can take you home," I say honestly.

"Yeah?" She smirks.

"Yeah," I answer noncommittally even though it's anything but.

We've been back together for over a week, and after last night we are finally truly mended. I'm so glad we took the time to mend emotionally. It was worth it.

"Cousin!" the squeaky voice of Fay disturbs our moment, and we turn together to face the now-purple-headed Fay. No doubt to piss off her uncle. I didn't think Craig and his family had any redeeming people, but Fay and I clicked. Maybe because she is rebellious and a little weird. In our world people are always so up their ass they are afraid to even sneeze but not Fay, she is just her.

"Fay." Summer beams at her and we ascend the few last steps before the women hug.

Fay sways Summer to the left and right and she caresses her bare back. I narrow my eyes at Fay who grins with mischief. Fay has told me on number of occasions that she would move in on Summer if I drop the ball. The weasel.

"Fay." I hug her and ours is more brief and less warm, but still way more warmth than I have for anyone else at this joke of an engagement party.

"Niceties later, the two people of honor sent me to look for you. Your mom is getting pissy. Come, come." She leads us inside.

The people are engrossed in conversations, fake smiles, and politeness. My mask is solidly on and so is Summer's.

I was lucky to fall for someone who was from my world, who knew how to maneuver our world. I don't have to explain my soul to Summer, she just gets it. We greet some people as we head to the front where my mother and her soon to be husband stand next to each other sporting the biggest, fakest grins.

"Son," Craig says and I can't help the grimace that makes its way to my surface. My mother's narrowed eyes make me school my face.

"This is beautiful, Karen. Congratulations to you both on your engagement," Summer says with all her politeness.

My mother looks at her with fondness. Summer was one of those things my mother approved of. It was a little weird for her to disprove of so many things I did and was, but she actually liked Summer.

"Oh, beautiful girl. I'm happy you two are back together. You look stunning, sweety." They air kiss and my mother forgets me as her and my girlfriend engage in a little catch up. While Craig and I just stand by awkwardly. I don't even attempt to make conversation. This guy isn't my friend and I know he wants me out of my own.

But having Summer here really is the difference.

"Did you come with your parents?" Mom asks. Summer and I look briefly at each other.

"They are here?" I ask.

"Yeah. I think somewhere with Drake and his wife." She points to the furthest right side of the room. It doesn't take too much to spot Drake Havenga with his height and blonde hair and Summer's father even as he is facing away from us.

"We will go and say hi. We'll come back later," Summer says.

We leave and it feels like my heart rate is lowering the further I move from Craig. We maneuver the crowd, stopping a few times for niceties, doing the do. Hanging on his arm is Drake's stunning wife.

"Small Ford." Drake grins his wide, friendly grin.

"Mr. Bailey, Dr. Bailey, Mr. Havenga, Mrs…Havenga, and Sir, good evening," I greet.

"I am Mrs. Richardson tonight, young man," Julie says coyly, obviously playing with one of her husbands and Drake gives her the side eye, but he grins seconds later not able to keep it up.

"Mom, dad." Summer advances to her parents. The niceties out of the way, her parents look between the two of us.

"I didn't know you two were friends again," her mother fishes nosily.

"We aren't just friends anymore, mom," Summer says boldly.

Both her parents give me their eye. Shit. The last time we interacted, they knew that I cheated on their daughter and her father chased us out of his yard. Fuck.

I itch to explain everything, but I don't say anything, just stand under their scrutinizing gaze.

"We'll talk," her father says to me in a stern voice, and I nod.

"You are Mr. Richardson of Hart Inc.?" Summer enquires with interest at the other husband.

"What do you know about that name, young lady?" he asks, polite smile on his face.

"My father here plotted to have you as a client for months and he may have done a little dance when he got the job," Summer says and the group laughs.

"I didn't dance for that reason, Su. Serena Williams had won the grand slam," he tries to defend himself.

"I believe your father; my father does a little wiggle too every time Serena comes out victorious," Julie says, earning the laugh of the group once more.

"It's a proud black father moment." Her father smiles in pride like he personally raised Serena Williams.

"And a black girl moment," Julie says with a little too much enthusiasm. She takes another swig at her drink, Havenga and Richardson both grinning at their wife getting tipsy.

The rest of the conversation is easy, and I almost forget the reason for the whole thing. Her parents let us go when we say we are flying back to college, but they made me promise to come for dinner with the guys when we come back for break.

Summer is hanging on my arm, and I am staring at her as we descend in the elevator. I feel lighter and lighter the lower we get. We walk out of the elevator and are met with three eyes that shouldn't be here.

"Oh my god, what are you guys doing here?" Summer quickens her steps and I have to quicken mine too. The looks on their faces tell me they have something planned. Something me and Summer weren't privy to.

"In the flesh. We thought we'd bring the party here," Jaden says before he scoops Summer in for a long kiss.

"We booked a suite; we thought a little getaway would be nice," Arch says.

"Plus, that buff comedian Summer likes so much has a show here tomorrow and we thought she'd like to see him," Caleb says before his face melts with hers.

Summer squeals, and I must admit they did good. I was not looking forward to going back tonight.

"So how did you get here?" Summer asks once we start moving.

"We took the heli," Jaden says.

"As you'd imagine, we almost died because you know who decided to fly, so I am in need of relaxation," Caleb says.

We ride to the hotel not far from where we were. The presidential suite has a great view of the ocean and Caleb wastes no time popping the champagne when we get there. Summer in my arms, we toast to us.

"To more love, tighter friendship, and many successes," Jaden toasts, and flutes clink as we all down the chilled bubbles in one go.

Summer melts in my arms as she asks for another. My hand rests comfortably on her boob and I squeeze it. My cock hardens at the softness.

I fucking love this girl.