“Sounds like a plan. I was hoping you liked the place. Were you able to talk to the team about me residing in Miami for the next six months before I head to Qatar for International Fashion Week in Doha?”
“Yes, they agreed that you should stay in Miami and we’ll cover the cost of living and any travel expenses for photo shoots you may have for the duration of your time here. I’ll probably travel back and forth to Miami for a couple months, too, until we get the ball rolling.”
“Great, because I’m staying at a hotel now, but I already found the place I want to stay temporarily.”
“Why am I not surprised,” Daxton said with a laugh. “Ever since I approached you with this Miami opportunity, you’ve been more involved than I’ve ever seen you for any other project. What are you not telling me?”
Aiden appreciated Daxton’s friendship, but he valued his work ethic and keen business sense even more. At thirty-two, Dax was just as driven as he had been at twenty-four when they’d first met. Just last month, he’d been promoted to director of business development; however, he’d agreed to continue being Aiden’s business manager since the two had formed a tight bond. Dax was well on his way to becoming vice president of business development for Palmer Lane.
“Nothing to tell. Just excited to be the headline photographer for this exhibit.” That was only partially true. Yes, Aiden was excited about the exhibit, but he was even more excited about a certain someone who was opening a boutique a few blocks away from the location of the Palmer Lane exhibit space.
“I have a few calls to make so that we can lock in this property. Do you have dinner plans?” Dax asked as they stepped out the building into the fresh Miami air. It was nearing six o’clock in the evening, so it wasn’t as crowded in Miami Beach as it had been midday. Most people were probably getting ready for a night out.
Aiden glanced down the street in the direction of the one location he’d been thinking about since he’d arrived two days ago. “Umm, I actually do have plans.” Or, at least, I hope I’ll have plans. “How about we meet in the morning?”
“I’m on a red-eye flight tonight, so call me. I’ll be at the office.” Dax took out his smartphone and was already dialing away as he walked back to his car. Aiden didn’t feel like driving back to his hotel. In fact, there was only one place he felt like being and before he could contemplate his next move, his feet were already walking in the opposite direction of his car.
According to Google maps, the address Summer’s sister Winter had given him meant that their new shop was only four blocks away. Although he’d briefly seen Summer a couple years ago, when she was leaving their high school reunion, he couldn’t believe that he finally had the chance to really see her after all this time. There was a time in his life he’d spent every day with Summer. She may not miss him as much as he missed her, but she’d been on his mind a lot lately.
Man, who am I kidding? Summer Dupree hadn’t just been on his mind lately. She’d been on his mind constantly since the first day she walked into his kindergarten class.
Twenty-five years ago...
“Class, I’d like you all to meet Summer Dupree. She’s new to town, so I want you all to give her a warm welcome.”
Aiden looked up from the cartoon picture he was coloring to see the new student. It was a girl. A pretty girl in a pink floral dress.
“Aiden, Summer’s going to be your buddy,” his teacher said as she walked Summer over to him. “So be nice to her.”
“Yes, Mrs. Perkins,” he said as Summer took a seat next to him. There were six other students at their table, and until Summer had arrived, he’d been the only one without a buddy since Clarke’s family had moved.
“Hi, I’m Aiden.” Instead of returning his greeting, she turned to talk to the girls at the table. He was a little disappointed that she didn’t want to talk to him, but he kept coloring his picture. A few minutes later, he heard one of the girls asking her to repeat her name. When she did, they snickered a little. Aiden couldn’t be sure, but laughing at her name seemed wrong. Though Summer just laughed it off, before long, the whole table was repeating Summer’s name and laughing.
Aiden stared at the new girl a little longer. She may be laughing along with them, but her eyes looked sad. He stopped coloring his picture and leaned toward her.
“What’s your name again?” he asked. She looked confused.
“Summer.” Her voice was really low, as if she assumed he was asking for the same reason the others had. Aiden smiled as big as he could and made sure the other students were listening.
“You have the best name ever! Summer days are the best.”
All the other kids began to nod their heads in agreement before returning to coloring their pictures. To his surprise, Summer laughed and leaned over to give him a quick hug. “Thank you, Aiden,” she whispered to him.
“You’re welcome.” Her big round eyes didn’t seem sad anymore and that made him happy. She even scooted her chair closer to him.
“Want to help me color my picture?” Summer asked. Aiden glanced around the table noticing that no other kids were coloring together. When he looked back at Summer, he didn’t know why, but he wanted to do anything she wanted to do.
“Yeah, I can help you.” They colored for the rest of the time in silence. Usually around this time all Aiden thought about was recess and lunch. Not today. Today was different. Today he was more excited to learn about the girl sitting next to him than he was about anything else.
“Are we going to take a break and eat soon?” Nicole asked.
“Sure, how about we head down the street to that Cuban restaurant in an hour?” Summer suggested.
“That works,” Nicole responded. “There’s only so much coffee and tea I can drink. I need food. Or chocolate. Or wine. Hmm, maybe all three.”
The women shared a laugh.
“Speaking of chocolate, I almost forgot to tell you guys what I heard,” Aaliyah said. “I know we all frequently check out popular magazines for what’s hot and new in fashion, so you won’t believe who’s in Miami right now.”
“Who?” Danni asked.
“Well, he’s tall and milk chocolate with the type of body that all sex dreams are made of.”
Danni huffed. “That could be anybody depending on your type.”
“He’s also well traveled, under thirty-five and rumor has it that it’s not just his looks that are deadly. He has the personality to match.”
“Idris Elba,” Nicole guessed.
“She said under thirty-five,” Summer said with a laugh.
“Well, he’s sexy and chocolate, so Idris is always my first choice. Is it Michael B. Jordan?” Nicole guessed again.
Aaliyah shook her head, indicating that wasn’t right, either. “It’s someone who works in the fashion industry, but is occasionally in magazines just as much as his work.”
Summer froze just as she was picking up another box. Call it intuition, but she didn’t think she liked where this conversation was headed. She didn’t say photographer, so maybe it’s not him.
“And he just so happens to be one of the top fashion photographers of today.”
The box slipped slightly in her hand when Aaliyah finished her statement. Sure enough, Sherlock Danni was observing her every move.
“Can you nix the details and just tell us who it is?” Nicole asked.
“Aiden