Ugh…why was she just now realizing how right her cousins were? She and Jake were sneaking around simply by not letting people know they were dating!
Another shrug. “Honestly, Pops has a pretty active social life. He’s not home a lot while Jake’s working and I don’t know if that’s on purpose or not. You know he was against doing anything to the house so…”
“Yeah, it’s got to be hard on him. He used to love to be the one doing the work and I’m sure it bothers him to have to sit back and let someone else do it,” Peyton said.
“Not only that, but it’s his childhood home and any changes must feel like we’re erasing part of his family’s history,” Parker added sadly.
“Damn, I hadn’t thought of it like that,” Mallory said with a sigh. “All I know is that things are faded and outdated. I’m sure the entire place could use new plumbing and electrical work, but there’s no way he’ll go for that. As it is, most of the work is being done to the exterior and the grounds. It’s all he’s allowing for now.”
“How’s the boathouse coming along?”
“The last of the furniture is being delivered today,” Mallory replied excitedly. “I can’t wait to get back and set it all up. I mean, I’ve been doing it all bit by bit as the repairs were done and all, but with these last pieces coming in, it will all be done by tonight.”
And boy did she have plans to celebrate later.
“So tell us again why you haven’t told Pops that you’re dating Jake,” Parker said with a grin. “We know he’s still pretty active and social, but we also know that he’s back home after lunch every day for a nap and then doesn’t go out again for the rest of the day. So…”
“Okay, fine. It just felt…weird. Awkward. I mean, who wants to talk to their great-grandfather about their romantic life?” she cried. “And you know Pops…sometimes he’s super on top of everything that’s going on around him and other times…well…he’s a little clueless. Right now, I’m kind of happy that he’s clueless.”
“He hasn’t seen the two of you together?”
“He sees us together all the time, but it’s been while we were working on the study or when he came down to see how work was going in the boathouse.” She paused and noticed both of her cousins were looking at her with mild amusement. “And every night at dinner the conversation tends to stick to either the topic of the actual work being done or about what’s going on in town and who he saw earlier in the day. Did you know how much Pops loves to hear the town gossip?”
Her cousins both laughed. “Oh, gosh,” Parker said, “Pops is the worst with that. He knows what everyone in town is doing!” Then she tilted her head and studied Mallory. “Which is why it’s so odd that he hasn’t picked up on the whole you and Jake thing. You must really be keeping things quiet if no one else is talking about it either. Don’t you guys go out anywhere?”
“Um…”
“Oh my God!” Peyton cried out. “You don’t! You guys seriously are sneaking around!”
“Would you be quiet!” Mallory hissed as people at the surrounding tables turned to stare. After a moment, she focused on her cousins again and hated how their conversation had taken this turn. “No, we don’t go out much, but we have gone out. We just…don’t go out around here. And for that exact reason! We don’t want the gossip because it’s nobody’s business but our own. We’ve only got the summer and then we’re both leaving. Jake’s moving to Colorado and I’ll be back up in New York so…it’s not like this is going anywhere, okay?”
Defensive much? She chided herself. And yes, it bothered her. A lot. They talked about it after Jake finally made his move that day in the boathouse. As much as Mallory was thinking that their relationship was something she wanted for the long run – as in forever – she knew Jake wasn’t there yet. Maybe by the end of the summer he’d agree to trying a long-distance relationship where they’d find ways to see each other during school breaks, but she wanted to give them time to settle in to what they had right now.
Which was fantastic.
They spent every day together. And while, yes, it had more to do with the fact that he was working on Pops’ house, it still meant that they got to see each other a lot more than if Jake were working on another job site. They ate lunch together every day out on the pier or on the deck of the boathouse. Just thinking about the time they spent sitting in the sun while talking and laughing…it made her smile.
“She’s getting that goofy look on her face,” Parker murmured. “I think she’s in deep.”
“Who could blame her?” her sister added. “Jake Summerford is one of the hottest guys in Magnolia Sound. There’s going to be a day of mourning when he moves away. The entire town’s gonna feel it.”
Mallory couldn’t help but smile. She was going to feel it too.
She just wasn’t ready to think about it too much yet.
“Who’s ready for dessert?” she asked cheerily.
Even with the small air conditioner blowing out cool air, Mallory felt warm.
Too warm.
And more than a little flustered.
All of the furniture had been delivered and put into place. The oversized sofa was probably not the smartest choice for a room this size, but it was so comfortable that she couldn’t regret her decision. Looking around the room, she smiled. It was perfect. Three of the walls were painted a crisp white along with the trim, the feature wall was done in shiplap and painted the same soft gray they used in Pops’ study. All of the furniture was bright and beachy, the accessories carried through with her beach theme and overall, it was a very soothing space. It filled her with pride to know she had done this.
Footsteps on the pier alerted Mallory to someone’s presence and she hoped it wasn’t Jake. She was a mess and wasn’t ready to see him yet – not when she had big plans to reveal the space to him later.
A smile played across her lips as Pops walked in the door with a smile of his own.
“Not bad work for a computer girl,” he teased, stepping inside. He looked around the room, touched the walls, the furniture, and admired the paintings before looking at Mallory. “I knew you’d do this just right. This space is cozy and inviting and it suits you perfectly, sweet pea.”
His praise meant the world to her.
“I know it’s not a big space – and most people don’t come in here once they dock the boat – but those of who do will love this.” He glanced around again. “Hell, I might spend some time down here. It’s much quieter in here than it is up at the house.”
She looked at him curiously. “What’s going on up there? I thought all the work on the house was done.”
“Had a pipe burst in one of the upstairs bathrooms while you were out to lunch with your cousins,” he said. “It’s a mess. Plumber’s here, Jake’s in there with a small crew because the floor is damaged and that means the ceiling below is as well.” He sighed and raked a hand through his white hair. “I knew this would happen. As soon as you touch one thing, everything else starts to fall apart.”