Page 22 of Let Me Love You

Summer stops running around as the bubbles are all popped. “Again, Mr. Barlowe!”

I bristle. Serenity and Summer are the last people I want to call me that. “You can call me Victor.”

“Blow more bubbles!” Summer says with an excited smile.

My pulse pounds in my ears. Shit. I really don’t know how to be a dad. I’m not worthy to be her stepdad, even if it is temporary.

“Do it. Do it. Do it,” Summer chants.

I dip the wand in the bubbles and blow. I sigh in relief as a bunch of bubbles fill the tree house, and Summer runs around.

“Pop the bubbles,” she says as she uses two hands to poke at them.

I stand and start popping them along with her. Her happiness is so infectious I can almost forget how unworthy I feel of being her stepdad. Smiling, I dip my wand and blow. Again, the entire area fills with bubbles, and we both start popping them together.

So, this is what I missed out on when I was a child. This is what it’s like being a regular kid when big responsibilities and expectations aren’t put on your tiny shoulders.

“More, more,” Summer says when all the bubbles are gone.

I comply, and Summer zooms around, popping them before I can move from my spot. A noise sounds from my left, and when I look over, my gaze meets Serenity’s. She stands there, without moving or speaking. Her bright green eyes shimmer. Is she … crying?

How long has she been watching us? Shit. I hope I didn’t overstep again like with Summer’s bedroom setup.

“Is this too much?” I ask, and my entire body tenses, waiting for her answer.

Serenity shakes her head. “This is perfect. Thank you.”

Summer finally realizes her mother is here and runs to her. Spreading her arms wide, she says, “Mommy! Look what Bubba showed me.”

My heart doubles in size at the nickname, and a brick falls off the top of my vault like walls I’ve built around my heart. I’ve been afraid Serenity would knock down my walls. I hadn’t even considered it might be Summer.

“Do you like the tree house?” Serenity asks, pulling me out of my thoughts.

“Yes, it’s like my own castle. If I get the dresses from my closet, I’ll be a princess!”

“Baby, you’re already a princess.”

Summer spreads her arms out. “But now I have a castle.”

I can’t stop the smile that spreads across my mouth. If anyone deserves to be a princess, it’s Summer. And if anyone deserves to be a queen, it’s Serenity.

I’ll do everything I can to make sure they both feel that way.

Chapter 10

Serenity

Serenity

I stand in front of a full-length mirror, biting my lip as Harmony works her fingers through my hair. Lana holds one of my hands while Summer holds the other. I stare at my reflection but see nothing.

If anyone told me I’d be getting married today, and to Victor, I’d have laughed at them. But with Summer in danger and Victor’s plea for his father’s wish, there wasn’t another choice. Is this how Harmony felt when she was about to marry this same man in order to get money for me? Fuck.

I’m thankful she loves me so much to even think about doing that, but I’m also relieved she didn’t go through with it. Now, I can’t help but wonder if I’m falling into the same trap.

A soft knock sounds at the door, and Harmony opens it to reveal Elias. His eyes connect with mine. “Everyone is ready for you.”

Is it like déjà vu for everyone here? He was also at Victor and Harmony’s ceremony, but he was practically a different—jaded—man back then.