Chapter Summer
SUMMER
Taking another sip of the orange juice, I cast my gaze around the manicured park. The smell of our picnic fills the air and brings a smile to my lips.
This is perfect.
“My mom used to bring me here when I was a kid.” Mase smiles wistfully. “I always imagined bringing my wife and kids here.”
There’s a lake with rowing boats, and Mase filled me in on the lengths his best friend Reed went to in order to get his family.
He took his new family to the local park and hired rowing boats similar to the ones here and went overboard in order to save the dog he’d purchased that day to impress Gia and her son.
By the time he finished telling me the story, I was in a fit of giggles. It also made me realize how much his friendships mean to him, so when he suggested us trying to live in New Jersey before the babies come, I rapidly agreed. A fresh start.
The dark thought about my past looms in my stomach like a thick ball of dread, but I refuse to acknowledge it, not when everything is going so well. I deserve this; he deserves this. I refuse to let it cloud our day.
“It’s a really pretty park.” I smile while Mase stuffs another sandwich in his mouth. He woke early this morning to prepare a picnic for the park. Who knew he could be so sweet?
“My mom always made picnics for us.”
“When the babies are older, we can bring them back here if you like?”
He stares off toward the lake. “I prefer for us to make new memories. All the ones here are diluted with bad ones.”
I nod. “I get that.”
“What about your mom? You don’t talk about her at all.”
I shudder and close my eyes, and when I open them, Mase is watching me closely.
“My mom was in this life for the money, and that’s what she got.” I shrug, hoping the conversation moves on. I’ve always had my suspicions about what happened to my mom and what part Jeff played in her death, but that’s not something I want to really think about now.
“Sum, I want every part of you. Not just the ones you choose to share with everyone else.” His words make my breathing stutter; they clutch at my torn heart and slowly begin piecing it back together.
“When you’re ready to tell me your secrets, sweet girl, I’m here for you.
” He links our hands and brings them to his lips.
His touch scorches my skin, delivering me with promises of a future I long to keep. Whatever it may cost.