Page 21 of Let Me Love You

My body suddenly feels heavy, and it takes all my might not to wrap my arms around myself. “Just don’t anymore. If you want to do something, come to me first.”

I don’t wait for his response. This is probably all a game to him in his boredom.

Back inside Summer’s room, I close the door and lean against it. His footsteps plod down the hallway until I can’t hear him anymore. I heave out a sigh. This is a business arrangement, nothing else, and I need to remember that.

Lana and Harmony watch me with concerned eyes, so I push off the door and head over to Summer’s closet. Summer runs around, touching everything, but then stops abruptly when she spots a huge toy box at the foot of her bed. She starts pulling out what feels like thousands of toys.

Tears fill my eyes as I reach the closet. How could he buy her all of this stuff? Does he get off on making others feel inferior? I peek over my shoulder, and Summer is playing with a brand new Bluey stuffy. The one she has at home was torn, and I had to sew it back together.

Maybe I can pack her favorite toys and clothing when this arrangement is over.

A gentle hand slips into mine. I meet Harmony’s eyes. “I know you’re overthinking all of this right now, but Victor isn’t doing this to make you mad. He wants Summer to be happy.”

I bristle. Why is she jumping to his defense?

“I think she’s right,” Lana says from my other side. “He uprooted her life and might’ve overcompensated, just a little.”

I laugh, my eyes still watery. “Just a little?”

Lana lays her head on my shoulder, like she did when she visited after finding out about everything, and I soak up all her warmth.

“Yeah, a bit.”

The three of us burst into a giggling fit, and I wrap my arms around both of them. I already miss them. I’m not sure how I will get through an entire year without having them nearby.

Chapter 9

Victor

Summer runs around the backyard with her arms spread out wide like she’s an airplane. A strong gust of wind blows, and her spring dress flies. She spins in a circle, giggling, and I wait for her to spot the tree house I had built for her the moment I bought this house. When Serenity agreed to this arrangement, I went out and found a home close enough to the city so I can commute, but far enough out for privacy.

She’d murder me if she found out I bought this place for them.

My two acres are fenced in, safe for playtime, and chairs are already in formation for our small ceremony. The back door opens and closes, and I resist the urge to search for Serenity.

Summer bolts around the large shed and squeals so loudly I’m sure the entire neighborhood heard her. “Is this a tree house?”

I nod enthusiastically, hoping she doesn’t pick up on my anxiety. Soon, the wedding will start, and I’ll see my father outside the hospital for the first time.

Summer doesn’t let me say anything else before she starts up the spiral stairs. I hasten my step to keep close in case she needs me, but before I’m halfway up, she yanks open the door and screams, “This place is amazing!”

Once inside, I sit down on one of the chairs, leaving the huge beanbag for Summer. “Explore.”

She runs around the tree house, mostly staying within my view. She comes back a minute later with bubbles. “Look. I found two bubbles.” But it sounds more like “bubba.” She holds out her little hand. “Take one.”

I reach out with suddenly sweaty palms. How long has it been since I’ve blown bubbles? I’m not sure I ever did when I was a kid. My mother found it too childish, and my father was always working. If I’ve learned anything from them, it’s how not to behave as a parent.

What if I blow and none come out? Or what if I blow too hard and they pop?

“On the count of three, let’s both blow,” Summer says, her wand already out and poised in front of her mouth. I quickly take out mine, too, and she says, “One, two, three!”

Three comes out as “free,” and I inhale, ready to blow my bubbles.

She blows, and dozens of bubbles come flying out. More shoot out of my wand. She runs around, popping each of them with a huge smile on her face.

“Are you guys in there?” Serenity asks. Her voice sounds like it’s coming from outside.

“Yes, come on up,” I say back.