Secondary Colors by Aubrey Brenner Read Free Book Online Page A

you.”
    “This won’t be my only visit this summer. I intend to come over often and get fat on your cobbler.”
    I pat my full belly.
    “You’d better.”
    “I should probably get a move on,” I say disappointedly. “I have to run into town for Meredith, work off all this food you fed me. Is there anything you need while I’m there?”
    “No, child, we’re set for now.”
    “Alright.” I stand and bend over to give her a hug and a kiss. “I’ll check next time.”
    “You’re a good girl.”
    “Tell Roy I’m sorry I missed him.”
    “Oh, you can be sure I will.”
     

     
    Later on, I pull up to the house and notice Aidan’s SUV parked outside. I climb out of the Nova, smiling at him as he meets me at my car. “Hey,” he says, a brown paper bag in his hand. “It’s such a nice day, I thought we could eat on the dock and go for a swim.”
    “Like a picnic?” I ask with a mute chuckle, amused by his old-fashioned ways.
    “I bring fried chicken.” He shakes the bag, tempting me with its greasy delights. He’s especially mouthwatering in his blue plaid board shorts and pale blue tee, making his eyes even bluer.
    “How can a girl turn down fried chicken?”
    He laughs.
    I slip a wild section of hair behind the fold of my ear. We blink at each other, an obvious attraction between us. A peculiar ping of guilt wriggles in my gut, nagging at me.
    I stick my thumb in the direction of the house. “Let me put these things away and change.”
    “Would you like me to help you?” He wants to help me change? His eyes flare with realization, embarrassment briefly staining his cheeks. “Oh, no. I meant with your bags.”
    “I’ll manage, Aid. Meet you down by the dock, okay?”
    “Great.” He’s clearly pleased I’ve chosen to join him and for the opportunity to escape the moment.
    I recover the reusable shopping bags from the backseat, head inside, and drop them on the kitchen table, an enormous grin manipulating my face. I sort the groceries then freshen up and change into something a little less comfortable, my swimsuit. Eek! Over that, a floral dress. I survey myself in the mirror, thinking about the differences between Aidan and me. It doesn’t change my lingering feelings. Or the past we share.
    In high school, it was plain how different we were, him captain of the baseball team, me a quasi-loner with my nose in a leather-bound sketchbook I carried everywhere, my ears plugged by headphones. I was the Molly Ringwald to his...well, every male lead opposite her. Though, Aidan is more Blane McDonnagh than Jake Ryan. And there was no driving off into the sunset to a perfectly placed eighties’ tune.
    Coming out of my daydreams, I fix the stray hairs that escaped from my ponytail, exit out the double French doors, and cross the big lawn. I spot Aidan at the very end of the dock, finishing up the final touches. He notices me when the dock moves under the change in weight.
    “This isn’t unoriginal, is it?” He’s adorably nervous about what I’ll think. It’s sweet.
    “You saved it with fatty, deep-fried chicken.”
    His shoulders shake with a spurt of laughter.
    “Every time I see you, you’re always more beautiful than the time before.”
    “Aidan,” I murmur, flattered. I’m not used to this outright attention from him.
    “Are you hungry?” He prepares a plate for me with all the fixings.
    “This is great, Aid.” I sit next to him on the dock, cross-legged. “Thank you.”
    He takes my hand, tenderly rubbing the soft skin on the back.
    “I’m happy we have this chance to make up for lost time.”
    “Me, too,” I agree.
    We both know there are things that need to be said, that need to be known. But not today. Today, we enjoy fried chicken and each other’s camaraderie.
     

     
    “I’m a mess,” I giggle out, trying to wipe the grease off with an obliterated napkin, falling apart from overuse.
    “You’re an adorable mess.” He lifts a fresh one to the corner of my mouth and