Free Lasting Summer - [Loving Summer 05] by Kailin Gow, Kailin Romance

said,
reaching behind him and around him to try to get his camera. I tickled him
under the ribs to get him to drop the camera into my hands. Then using his own
camera, I took snap after snap of him.
    By the time we headed back to our cars,
we were sweaty but happy.
    “Bye, Summer,” Cooper said, hugging me
as he walked me to my car. “I’ll see you soon.”
    “Bye,” I almost kissed his cheek, but
pull back. What was I thinking? I’ve just met the guy yet I felt as though I’ve
known him for a long time.
     

 
    Chapter 11
     
    Summer
     
    I met with Cooper
again at the beach the following weekend after having lunch again at Errol
King’s Oyster House.
    We worked on shooting footage at the
beach, and I helped film a bit of him talking about the beach, talking about
the history of Malibu and how there were pirate caves hidden all over Malibu.
    “Summer,” Cooper said. “You’re a natural
in front of the camera. How about I film you sharing what you love most about
this place? I want to capture the essence of a place by showing how a place can
affect people.”
    “Oh, Cooper, but this is about your
story, your view. It shouldn’t be about me. I’m not the star of your
documentary.”
    Cooper put his hands on my shoulders and
brought my chin up to look into his eyes. “Summer, since I met you, you’ve
opened up an entirely new way of life for me. You’ve become a part of my world
so what you say about this place, matters to me.”
    He leaned in close, and I closed my
eyes. I’ve just met him, but our bond has been so strong, it felt as though
I’ve known him all my life.
    I waited for his kiss and waited. I
opened my eyes to see Cooper staring at me, his eyes full of sadness.
    Was he thinking of his ex-girlfriend?
    Was he still heartbroken and unable to
move on?
    Since spending more time with Cooper and
getting involved in his documentary; I was able to step away from Aunt Sookie’s
Academy, from Drew, and even Rachel for a while, and not get consumed with the
turmoil I felt from all of that. I needed some time and space away from them,
just to clear my head. Cooper had been the medicine I needed to help me heal
from the loss of my family – Aunt Sookie and the Donovans.
    But was I ready for another romantic
relationship again?
    Was I ready to start something with
Cooper, although both of our hearts have been broken recently?
    Cooper made that decision for both of us
by dropping his hands from my face and stepping back. “Um, I’d like very much
to have your commentary on this beach, this place, and what it means to you,
Summer. I know it holds a special meaning for you so I want to capture that
love and passion you have. It is that love which makes a place thrive. Without
it, it is like a plant without the sun, and it will wither and die.”
    I smiled. “Sure, Cooper, I will be
honored to be part of your film. But I’m not even dressed for it. I mean I’m
just wearing a tank top and shorts. I don’t even have makeup on.”
    “Trust me, Summer,” he said, using his
finger to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, “You don’t need anything else to
make you beautiful.”
    My heart jumped for a second before
settling down. Cooper just called me beautiful.
    “Are you sure?” I asked. “I mean I know
how the camera tends to wash people out and…”
    “You are perfect the way you are,
Summer,” Cooper said.
    My heart jumped again for a second time,
as my mind had a moment of déjà vu thinking where did I hear something like
that once.
    My Perfect Summer.
     
    It was what Nat called me in his last
letter to me.
    At that realization, I was brought back
to the state of mind when I read it. Elation that Nat was alive, sadness for
finding out he was alive just to have him walk away from me forever, and anger
for not telling me earlier, for keeping secrets from me.
    “Are you alright?” Cooper asked leaning
in.
    “I’m just remembering a few memories
about my ex and…”
    Cooper wrapped his arms