12. Summer
12
SUMMER
T he clinic was bustling with activity by the time we arrived. The annual fundraiser had always been a big deal, drawing donors, staff, and patients alike for an evening of networking, speeches, and community building. Normally, I could navigate these events on autopilot. Tonight, though, was different.
Tonight, I had Enzo by my side.
Ava clutched my hand tightly as we stepped through the entrance, her eyes wide as she took in the decorated space. Balloons in soft pastel colors floated near the ceiling, and long tables were set with carefully arranged hors d’oeuvres. A small stage had been set up at the far end of the room, where the evening’s program would take place.
“Wow!” Ava breathed, her head craning to take it all in.
“It’s something, huh?” Enzo said, crouching down beside her. “What do you think—better than Bunny’s racetrack?”
She giggled, shaking her head. “Bunny’s racetrack is the best!”
“Fair enough,” he said with a grin, standing and adjusting the cuffs of his blazer.
I watched the exchange silently, my nerves tangled in knots. Enzo looked completely at ease, like he belonged here. And the way Ava clung to him as much as she did to me made my chest ache.
We hadn’t taken more than a few steps into the room before we were spotted. Dr. Taylor, the clinic director, made a beeline for us, her smile wide and welcoming.
“Summer! Enzo! So glad you could make it,” she said, clasping her hands together.
“Thank you for having us,” I said, forcing a smile.
“And who is this little one?” Dr. Taylor asked, leaning down to Ava’s level.
“This is Ava,” I said, resting a hand on her shoulder.
Dr. Taylor’s smile softened. “Well, aren’t you a cutie? Are you enjoying the party so far?”
Ava nodded, clutching Bunny tightly. “Uh-huh!”
“She’s been talking about this all day,” Enzo said, his tone warm.
Dr. Taylor’s gaze flicked to him, a glint of curiosity in her eyes. “It’s wonderful to see you here, Enzo. And with your family, no less.”
The word “family” made my stomach lurch, but Enzo didn’t miss a beat.
“It’s a special night,” he said smoothly. “We’re happy to support the clinic.”
Dr. Taylor nodded approvingly. “Well, you certainly look like the perfect family. I hope you’ll stick around for the program later—I’d love to introduce you to a few donors.”
“Of course,” Enzo said, flashing a polite smile.
As Dr. Taylor moved on to greet other guests, I shot Enzo a look. “The perfect family?” I hissed under my breath.
He shrugged, his expression unapologetic. “We’re playing the part, remember?”
“Right,” I muttered, shifting uncomfortably.
For the next hour, we mingled, greeting familiar faces and making polite small talk. Everywhere we went, people’s eyes lingered a little too long, their smiles a little too knowing.
“Summer, I had no idea you and Enzo were… involved,” one of the nurses said, her voice dripping with curiosity.
“We’re here to support Ava,” I said quickly, deflecting.
“Oh, of course,” she said, but her raised eyebrows told me she didn’t believe me for a second.
Enzo, for his part, seemed unfazed. He chatted easily with anyone who approached, his charm and confidence disarming even the nosiest of questions.
“You’re really good at this,” I said through gritted teeth as we moved to another corner of the room.
“At what?” he asked innocently.
“Pretending,” I said, shooting him a pointed look.
He smirked, leaning in slightly. “You’re not so bad at it yourself.”
I rolled my eyes, but my stomach twisted uncomfortably. I wasn’t sure how much longer I could keep up the act.
Ava, blissfully unaware of the undercurrents around us, was having the time of her life. She flitted between the snack table and a small play area set up for kids, chattering happily with anyone who would listen.
“Mommy, look!” she called, holding up a balloon she’d somehow managed to snag.
“That’s great, sweetheart,” I said, smiling despite myself.
“She’s a social butterfly,” Enzo said, watching her with a mixture of pride and amusement.
“She gets that from you,” I said without thinking.
He turned to me, his expression softening. “You think so?”
I hesitated, suddenly aware of how close we were standing. “I mean… maybe a little.”
Before he could respond, Dr. Taylor reappeared, this time with a group of donors in tow.
“Enzo, Summer,” she said brightly, “I’d love for you to meet some of our biggest supporters.”
We exchanged pleasantries, the conversation circling around the clinic’s mission and the importance of community support. Enzo was a natural, seamlessly weaving Ava into the discussion without making it feel forced.
“She’s adorable,” one of the donors said, nodding toward Ava. “And it’s clear how much you both care about her.”
“Thank you,” I said, my smile tight.
“It’s rare to see such a strong, supportive family these days,” another donor added. “You’re setting a wonderful example.”
I could feel the weight of their words pressing down on me, and I struggled to keep my expression neutral.
By the time the program began, I was ready to bolt. Ava was sitting on Enzo’s lap, her head resting against his chest as she played with Bunny. I sat beside them, my hands folded tightly in my lap, my smile frozen in place.
Everywhere I looked, people were watching us—whispering, speculating.
“They love you,” Enzo murmured, leaning toward me.
“They love the idea of us,” I muttered back.
He chuckled softly, the sound low and reassuring. “Relax. You’re doing great.”
When the event finally wound down, we said our goodbyes and headed for the door. Outside, the cool night air was a welcome relief from the stifling atmosphere of the fundraiser.
Ava yawned, her head drooping against Enzo’s shoulder as he carried her to the car.
“She’s exhausted,” I said, brushing a curl away from her face.
“She had a big night,” he said with a small smile. “So did you.”
I let out a shaky laugh. “If by ‘big night’ you mean exhausting, then yeah.”
He glanced at me as he opened the car door. “You handled it perfectly, Summer.”
I climbed into the passenger seat, watching as he carefully buckled Ava into her seat. His movements were gentle, deliberate, like he’d been doing this for years.
As we drove home, I couldn’t help but wonder if the rumors were just the beginning.
And if pretending to be the perfect family would be harder than I’d ever imagined.