7. Enzo
7
ENZO
I adjusted my tie for the third time, glancing in the rearview mirror to make sure everything was in place. The evening wasn’t about me, but appearances mattered to the Pearson Foundation board. They were used to polished, successful families—ones that fit their idea of stability. I hoped our act could hold up under the scrutiny.
Summer sat in the passenger seat, her hands tightly clasped in her lap. Her hair was pulled back into a sleek ponytail, and her light-blue dress made her look effortlessly elegant, though the tension in her shoulders told a different story.
“You’re sure this is going to work?” she asked, her voice clipped.
“Yes,” I said, keeping my tone steady. “It’ll work as long as we stick to the plan. Just be yourselves.”
She shot me a look. “You mean, be the perfect little family?”
I exhaled slowly. “Just long enough to get through the night.”
Ava, sitting in the backseat, kicked her legs happily. She was wearing a pretty yellow dress, and her stuffed bunny sat firmly in her lap. “Do they have snacks at this party?”
I glanced at her in the mirror, smiling. “Probably fancy snacks. But I’m sure we can find something you’ll like.”
“Okay!” Ava said, her face lighting up.
Summer glanced back at her, her expression softening. “Just stay close to Mommy, okay? Don’t wander off.”
“I won’t, Mommy,” Ava promised.
The venue came into view, a stately event hall with tall glass windows glowing warmly in the evening light. The parking lot was dotted with expensive cars, and the sight of them reminded me of how different Summer’s world had always been from mine.
“We’re here,” I said, pulling into a spot near the entrance.
Summer took a deep breath, turning to Ava. “Are you ready, sweetheart?”
“Yep!” Ava chirped, clutching her bunny tightly.
Summer looked less sure, but she nodded. “Let’s do this.”
Inside, the hall was buzzing with conversation. Well-dressed couples and board members mingled over glasses of wine and appetizers, their laughter echoing through the elegant space.
As soon as we walked in, heads turned. Ava’s bright yellow dress and beaming smile made her the center of attention, and I could feel Summer tense beside me. I leaned in slightly, speaking just loud enough for her to hear.
“You’re doing great.”
She gave a tight nod but didn’t respond.
One of the board members, an older man with silver hair and a friendly smile, approached us with his wife. “Enzo!” he said warmly. “It’s good to see you.”
“Good to see you too, Robert,” I said, shaking his hand. “I’d like you to meet my family. This is Summer and Ava.”
Summer smiled politely, extending her hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Robert’s gaze softened as he looked at Ava, who was half-hidden behind Summer’s leg. “And who’s this young lady?”
“This is Ava,” I said, resting a hand on her shoulder. “She’s a little shy, but she’s the star of our family.”
Ava peeked out from behind Summer, clutching Bunny tightly. “Hi.”
“Hi there, Ava,” Robert said, crouching slightly to her level. “That’s a very nice bunny you have.”
“His name is Bunny,” Ava said seriously.
Robert chuckled. “Well, Bunny looks like a very good friend.”
As Robert straightened, his wife smiled warmly at Summer. “You have a beautiful family.”
“Thank you,” Summer said, her voice steady but guarded.
I felt a pang of guilt for putting her in this position, but the look of approval in Robert’s eyes reassured me. This was going exactly as planned.
Over the next hour, we made our way through the room, meeting more board members and answering their questions. Summer was calm and composed, her responses thoughtful and genuine. Ava charmed everyone with her curiosity, asking questions about the flowers on the tables and the artwork on the walls.
“You’ve got quite the team,” one of the board members said, clapping me on the back.
“I’m lucky,” I said, glancing at Summer and Ava. “They’re my everything.”
Summer’s eyes flickered toward me briefly, something unreadable in her gaze.
As the evening wore on, I couldn’t help but feel nostalgic. Watching Summer navigate the room with quiet confidence reminded me of the girl I’d fallen for all those years ago. She’d always had a way of commanding attention without trying—a way of making people feel at ease.
“Enzo,” she said quietly, pulling me out of my thoughts. “Ava’s getting restless. Is it okay if we sit down for a bit?”
“Of course,” I said, leading them to a small seating area near the corner of the room.
Ava climbed onto the couch, arranging Bunny neatly beside her. Summer sat beside her, smoothing out her dress as she exhaled.
“You’re doing great,” I said softly, sitting down across from them.
She gave me a tired smile. “It’s not as bad as I thought it would be. Ava’s the real MVP here.”
Ava looked up, her face bright. “What’s an MVP?”
“It means you’re the most valuable player,” I explained.
Ava grinned. “That’s me!”
Summer laughed, the sound soft but genuine, and for a moment, the tension between us seemed to ease.
Later, as the event wound down, Robert approached us again, his expression warm. “It was wonderful meeting your family, Enzo. Ava is a delight.”
“Thank you,” I said, shaking his hand.
“And Summer,” he said, turning to her, “it’s clear how much love and care you’ve poured into your daughter. She’s a lucky little girl.”
Summer’s smile was faint but genuine. “Thank you. That means a lot.”
As Robert walked away, Summer turned to me, her eyes searching mine. “Do you think it worked?”
“I know it did,” I said confidently. “They loved you. Both of you.”
Her lips curved into a small smile. “Good. Because I don’t think I could do this again.”
I chuckled, glancing at Ava, who was half-asleep on the couch. “You did great, Summer. Better than I could have hoped for.”
For a moment, she looked like she might say something, but then she shook her head. “Let’s get Ava home.”
I nodded, knowing there was still a long road ahead—but for tonight, we’d taken the first step.