Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to the OC, but FOX and Josh Schwartz do.
Author's Note: Creating some more drama in this chapter or at least foreshadowing. Yes, Seth and Summer are acting somewhat like a couple, but I think that they are just blind to how they are feeling. You will see in the next chapter…Hope you enjoy…Read and Review.
Summer hoisted her bag and purse up the stairs to her apartment, fumbling with her keys in the process. Once she managed to get inside, she collapsed onto her couch. Her thoughts varied, but mainly dealt with the weekend. After the luncheon on Friday, she had spent practically the whole weekend at the Cohens. In between hanging out with Seth, Summer made progress on the pool house and convinced Kirsten to go along with her favorite design. Her thoughts then drifted to Seth; they went to the beach, the movies and sailing. Seth had finally gotten the nerve to introduce her to "Summer Breeze", the boat that was supposed to travel to Tahiti with her as a special passenger.
Seth dragged Summer down the pier despite her protests.
"Seth, why are we here? It smells like fish guts and gasoline."
"The faster you walk, the faster we get on the boat and the faster we get away from the smells."
"We're going on a boat…Seth, why can't we just go to the beach."
They were only a few steps away when Seth finally responded, "Yesterday we went to the beach and today we are going sailing."
Summer looked at the boat and then back at Seth, "Is this thing safe?"
Seth got onto the boat and handed Summer a life jacket, "If it wasn't safe, do you think I would let you on here."
Summer relented and stepped on board. She took off her top, while Seth attempted not to stare. She put the life jacket over her bikini and in the process noticed the side of the boat.
"The name of this is the "Summer Breeze"….I thought Marissa was joking."
Seth tried to play cool, "Yeah,…my dad bought her in the summer when I was twelve, I think; hence the name."
"That's funny because Marissa said you named a boat after me, but either way I like the name."
Summer knew that Seth wouldn't be able to lie to her for very long. As they pulled into the open water Seth relented.
"She's named after you."
Summer smiled, "I'm starting to like this sailing thing a whole lot more now." Seth scooted closer to her and they found themselves in the position from the other night.
"That's good to know."
Summer was brought out of her thoughts by a loud knock at the door. She looked through the peephole, not recognizing the person standing outside the door. She left the chain lock on and cracked open the door. She couldn't deny the man was attractive, he was tan and appeared to be built, but you could never be to sure.
"Hi…I just moved next door. My name's Josh."
Summer realized it was her new neighbor and opened the door fully. "Sorry. I'm Summer."
She offered a handshake and he accepted, "It's nice to meet you Summer."
"So, how do you like your apartment?"
"It's nice…I want to move into something bigger, so this is only temporary."
"Oh…." Summer stood in the doorway, unsure of what to say next.
"I know this may be a little forward, but would you like to go to lunch with me."
Summer bit her lip and tried to think of an excuse. She thought about Seth, but the image of Georgia and him always appeared.
Hesitantly Summer spoke, "I need to freshen up a little. How about I meet you out here in a half hour."
Josh smiled, "Half hour it is."
Summer closed the door and ran into her bedroom. She started throwing clothes out of her closet in an attempt to put an outfit together. Summer didn't want to appear to sexy, but more casual and subdued as if she already had a boyfriend. It then popped into her head that she didn't have a boyfriend; Seth Cohen didn't count. Maybe Josh was what she had been waiting for and with that thought Summer pulled out a low-cut tank and mini skirt.
Josh and Summer walked into the small café on the boardwalk. Josh appeared to be quite a gentleman as he pulled out the chair for Summer before seating himself. After ordering a small salad, Summer struck up conversation with the him.
"So Josh, what brings you to Newport?"
"Actually, I am here for research."
"Research, huh? Are you investigating the lives of the rich and famous of Newport, or something?"
"Actually I kinda am. I work for this comic based out of LA."
"A comic, you don't say."
"So, I don't know if you know much about them, but there is one based here called Land of Oranges. It is insanely popular, so my boss sent me out here to get some inspiration."
"Land of Oranges, I may have heard of it."
"The creator, Seth Cohen was born and raised here. He just introduced his female heroine, Autumn Rhodes in the last issue, which is a big deal. For a long time he told the press there wasn't going to be a love interest for Sean Cane."
Summer just nodded her head and she took in the name of the character, Autumn Rhodes. Josh noticed that Summer appeared bored and felt that he was to blame.
"I hope I am not boring you….it's just comics are like a can of worms for me."
"Huh…no it's not boring. So why did your boss send you out here for inspiration?"
"We can't compete with Land unless we introduced aspects of Southern California. That is the "it" thing, these days."
"Oh….what's the name of your comic?"
Before Josh could answer, the tune of "Wonderwall" could be heard blaring from her cell phone. She looked down at the id and mouthed "sorry" to Josh as she answered.
"Hey."
"Hey Summer, I just wanted to check in." Summer noticed Josh fiddling with the napkin and silverware.
"About what?"
"We have dinner plans tonight or did you forget? Dinner than bad 70's kung fu movies."
"I didn't forget…I'm kinda busy at the moment so can I call you later."
"Sure…bye."
Summer hung up the phone and looked to Josh who was still fiddling with the napkin.
"Was that your boyfriend?"
"Uh…no. Just a friend."
"So…you don't have a boyfriend?"
Seth's face popped into her mind but she put it away, "No, I don't have a boyfriend."
Josh seemed relieved, "Do you wanna do this again sometime?"
"Like go out?"
"Yeah. If you don't want to…."
Summer put her hand on top his fiddling one, "No, I would really like to go out with you again."
He smiled and Summer melted, "That's great." He looked down at his watch, "I have to get going, work and all, but I'll call you or just knock."
She felt like a giddy school girl, "Okay."
They got up from the table and left the restaurant. Summer dropped Josh off at the apartment building and then drove off.
Summer knocked at the door of the loft and Seth opened, grinning at her presence.
"I was starting to think you weren't going to show up."
"Shut up…I'm only five minutes late." Summer pushed him slightly and made her way inside.
Seth closed the door and walked towards the kitchen, talking to Summer at the same time.
"So where were you when I called earlier?"
Summer didn't know how to answer, "I was meeting with a client."
"Oh…" Seth walked out with two plates of food, "So, let's admire my cooking skills."
"I find it hard to believe that you cooked this food."
"I did…my secretary gave me the recipe."
Summer started to eat, "Seth…this is really good."
"Try and savor it because this is a one time deal. It is way too hard to cook every night."
Summer smiled and went back to eating. After they finished Seth put the dishes in the dishwasher, while Summer set up the movie. When Seth came back into the room and sat down he noticed that Summer was on the other end of the sofa.
"I don't bite Sum…" He patted the part of the couch next to him.
Summer looked at Seth and tried to ignore him. She saw the pout and puppy eyes he was making and just couldn't resist him. She scooted next to him and laid her head on his shoulder. His arm made it around her back and they both seemed content. However Summer's mind was going a mile a minute. Part of her really wanted to tell Seth about Josh, but a larger part just wanted to keep it a secret.
Author's Note: So what did you think? Reviews are welcomed.
