That Crush

I’ve spent every summer babysitting his younger siblings and never paid him—or his innocent flirting—much attention.But this year, things are different.He’s headed to college in the fall, is undeniably hot, and the chemistry between us is off the charts.Will we be able to stay away from one another? And if we can’t, will it be just a summer fling or could it be a forever kind of love?Tropes: Summer Fling, He Falls First, Age Gap, Close Proximity, Family Drama, Set in the Ozarks Preorder Today | Release Date June 10th, 2025Sneak Peek: Three years ago, while working at my uncle’s resort for the summer, I was asked to watch the baby of KC quarterback Danny Diamond, so he and his family and friends could have a nice dinner out. As I stood in their living room being given childcare instructions, I locked eyes with a guy with a devilish grin. Sparkling eyes. Blond hair. And even though he was sitting, I could tell he was tall. That he had washboard abs. That his arms were buff and his body quite fit. And I thought maybe this summer might shape up to be really fun. Because it felt like we had a moment. The kind you read about in a romance novel. My mind started going to all kinds of places, specifically how I could get with him before their vacation was over. I was horrified to later learn the guy my nineteen-year-old self was lusting after was Danny’s fifteen-year-old son. But now we’re back at the resort. And he’s all grown up.