The Heart of Summer

a rush of excitement wash over her. She had dreamed of living in New York City for as lo

y from the quiet, small-town life she was used to. But she was determined to carve out a new life for herself here. She had inherited a substantial sum of money after her moth

treet performers and vendors, the smell of hot dogs and pretzels wafting through the air. She f

nted it without seeing it in person and was thrilled to find that it was even more beautiful than she had imagined. As she unpacked her boxes

tone cutting through the silence. She hesitated for

her voice calm despite the

ep, smooth voice said on the other end of the

s holding, wondering how Alexander Grayson, the billio

she asked, tryi

o I am, Summer. I've been following your

hat did Alexander Gr

she could muster. "I'm flattered," Summer said, keeping

ong enough that she briefly wonde

xander finally said. "I have a propositi

f proposition could Alexander

aid after a brief hesitat

t 7 p.m. tomorrow night,"

at, the lin

ment, staring at her phone. What

. The conversation with Alexander Grayson had left her with more questions tha

g back to their conversation. Summer had always been cautious-especially whe

ouldn't ignore the spark of curiosi

n? And what did

her mind racing with possibilities. What would tomorrow night bring? Should she

d in her mind, refus

fted off to sleep, her dreams filled with visions

and resolute. Whatever tomorrow night brought,

always been someone who shied away from the unknown, but something about Al

ont of her closet, debating what to wear. What was the appropri

ne rang, its shrill tone sn

ered, Alexander a

's Alexande

right at the

ready for tomorrow ni

t skippe

p breath, trying to s

ll send a car for you at 7

ain, the li

phone onto the sofa before

her, a sense of trepidat

she just

she couldn't shake the feeling that her life was abou

ing her best friend, Rachel, to confid

warning Summer to be careful. Or maybe it was the undeniable th

ded to keep the conversation

herself lost in thought, wonderi

ept Alexander'

did he mean by

n her mind like a storm

d into sleep once more-her dreams filled with visions