Waiting For Summer. Sherelle Green

you okay, Summer? You look as if you’ve seen a ghost.”

      “Yep, I’m fine.”

      “Really?” Danni walked over to Summer and lifted the box that kept slipping out of her hands, placing it on the floor. Summer was grateful, until Danni spoke again.

      “Aaliyah, I’ve heard of him before, but what else do you know about him? Since you’re a photographer, I know you’re more familiar with him than I am.”

      “I don’t know much. Just that he’s thirty years old. His work in South Africa is getting a lot of recognition right now. He lives in Los Angeles, but oftentimes, is on the New York fashion scene and he grew up in New Jersey.”

      “Oh, New Jersey. You don’t say?” Danni was speaking to the group, but looking solely at Summer in curiosity. Summer gave Danni her best can-you-please-drop-it? look and, to her surprise, Danni nodded her head in agreement. She then walked over to the sound system they had recently installed and turned the music up a little louder. It didn’t matter that Danni had dropped the issue, because now Summer’s mind was racing with thoughts about Aiden.

      Why didn’t he tell me he was coming to Miami? And why didn’t he contact me as soon as he got here? Even though they hadn’t seen each other in eight years—with the exception of that brief eye lock a couple of years ago—they still remained in contact with each other. He was once her best friend in the whole world. They may have had some disagreements that she’d rather not rehash, but after they’d reconnected via email and social media, it had felt like they were in a good place.

      She touched the necklace secured underneath her shirt. They may be in a good place, but they definitely weren’t in the best place. Several times, Aiden had asked to Skype or FaceTime with Summer and she’d refused. She hadn’t really known why at the time, but after giving it some thought, she’d realized she hadn’t been prepared to see him. Even if it wasn’t in person.

      Growing up in New Jersey hadn’t been easy for either one of them. Life after New Jersey hadn’t been so peachy, either. Their friendship had always been more of an emotional connection rather than one based on similarities. Although they had a lot in common, they were opposite in a lot of ways, too. In Autumn’s words, they complemented each other.

      “Are you guys ready to go to dinner now? I think I’m done working for today.”

      Danni was the first to respond to Summer. “That’s fine with me.” Aaliyah and Nicole nodded their heads in agreement.

      “I’m sorry I was all in your business,” Danni whispered to Summer as they prepared to close the shop for the night. “I didn’t mean to make you upset.”

      Summer smiled. “It wasn’t you. I got caught up in my own thoughts.”

      “I understand how that feels. If you ever need someone to talk to, I’m here.”

      “I know, but thanks for telling me anyway.” She’d been thinking about Aiden way more than she should. Regardless of what they’d gone through as friends, her thoughts weren’t always so PG-13. Every now and then, he’d say something on the phone or write something in a text message that reminded her that he was—after all—a hot-blooded male. And she was a female who could appreciate all the characteristics that made him irresistible to other women. Not her, but other women for sure.

      Just as Summer was locking the door, she felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on high alert and her breathing grew staggered.

      “Oh, my gosh,” she heard Aaliyah say behind her. “Isn’t that... I think that’s...” Her voice trailed off as Summer slowly turned away from the door of the shop toward the person her friends were staring at. She knew who it was before her eyes landed on him.

      “Aiden.” His name left her lips in a whisper as she gazed at him from across the street. He was wearing a pair of blue jeans that hung on his waist and a deep red V-neck T-shirt that stretched across his chest, accentuating his muscles. Seeing pictures of him on social media or in magazines over the years did nothing to prepare her for actually laying eyes on him in person. Her heart was beating so fast that she couldn’t help but clutch her chest to try to slow it down.

      There wasn’t too much traffic on the street, but enough that he should have been paying more attention to the cars and foot traffic than to her. Yet, even as he crossed the street, his eyes remained fixed on hers. Her gaze briefly left his face to admire his graceful, yet powerful, stride. His walk had always done something to her. He never rushed when he walked, as if he had all the time in the world. She’d never tell him this, but she couldn’t even watch him walk without the melodies to every Jill Scott song ever created floating through her mind.

      As he approached, she was able to cast her eyes across his face more closely. Aaliyah had described him as milk chocolate, but Summer had to slightly disagree. She’d spent most of her life admiring Aiden’s complexion and it was definitely more like a hazelnut dipped in a rich chocolate-caramel blend. His strong jawline, deep gingerbread-colored eyes, and low, neatly trimmed beard took his look from sexy to downright delicious. Not that she was thinking about her friend as delicious. She was just observing a known fact...or so she kept telling herself.

      When he finally stood in front of her, he didn’t say anything. She felt his eyes on every part of her face, causing her cheeks to grow warmer by the second. Girl, get a hold of yourself. This was Aiden. Her old classmate Aiden. Her good friend Aiden. He must have sensed her discomfort because he finally broke the silence.

      “There are no better days than summer days,” he said with a smile, causing Summer to laugh harder than she’d intended. Hearing him say those words brought her back to her first day in kindergarten. She’d laughed then. She laughed now.

      “Well, those are the best days,” she replied as she leaned up to give him a hug. Just like that, the feeling of discomfort dimmed. It didn’t go away, but it definitely lessened. She ignored the butterflies she felt in her stomach when they embraced and, instead, relished the joy of seeing her long-time friend again.

      * * *

      She was there. In the flesh. For once, Summer wasn’t a figment of his imagination. She’d even smiled and hugged him, which was more of a greeting than he’d thought he would get. Summer never did like surprises, and Aiden being in Miami was definitely a surprise. He’d expected a playful punch on the arm to be the most contact they’d have.

      “How did you get the address to the boutique?” Summer asked. “We don’t launch the website until next week.”

      “Winter gave it to me when I called Bare Sophistication in Chicago.”

      “Figures,” Summer said with a laugh. “What are you doing in Miami?”

      “I have an exhibit opening soon, so I’m here to finalize those plans.”

      “A new exhibit? That’s awesome!”

      Aiden turned to the woman who had spoken on his left. He’d seen four of them standing near the boutique when he’d crossed the street, but the closer he got, the more his eyes were only drawn to Summer. Judging by the surprised look on Summer’s face, she’d forgotten they were there, as well.

      “I shouldn’t have said anything. The exhibit hasn’t been announced yet,” he stated.

      “No worries, we won’t say anything. I’m Aaliyah Bai, by the way.”

      “Nice to meet you,” he said, extending his hand. “I’m Aiden Chase.”

      “We know who you are,” Aaliyah said enthusiastically before winking at Summer. “This is Danni Allison and this is Nicole LeBlanc.” Aiden shook both of their hands, as well.

      “The four of us were actually going to get dinner at a Cuban restaurant a few doors down,” Summer said after the introductions were done. “Would you like to join us?”

      Aiden looked from Summer, to the women, and then back to Summer. What he really wanted