13. Summer
13
SUMMER
T he café smelled like fresh coffee and warm cinnamon, a comforting mix that usually helped me unwind. Not today.
I sat at a small table near the window, stirring my latte absently. Ava was at a playdate with one of her friends, and I was supposed to be enjoying a rare moment to myself. Instead, I was bracing for what I knew was coming.
“Summer Bowen,” a familiar voice called.
I looked up to see Mia striding toward me, her long dark hair bouncing with each determined step. She wasn’t smiling.
“Mia,” I said, forcing a weak smile as she sat down across from me.
She set her bag on the chair beside her and leaned forward, her eyes sharp. “Don’t you ‘Mia’ me. Spill.”
I blinked, feigning innocence. “Spill what?”
She scoffed, crossing her arms. “Oh, don’t play dumb. I was at the clinic fundraiser last night.”
My stomach dropped. “You were?”
“Yes, and imagine my surprise when I see you and Dr. Dreamy acting like you’re some picture-perfect couple.” Her voice was low but incredulous. “Since when are you two a thing?”
I winced. “It’s… complicated.”
“Complicated,” Mia repeated, arching a brow. “That’s all you’ve got?”
I glanced around the café, suddenly hyper-aware of how public this conversation was. “Can we not do this here?”
“Oh, we’re doing this,” she said firmly.
I sighed, setting my mug down. “Fine. It’s not what it looked like, okay? Enzo and I aren’t… together.”
“Then what the hell was that?” she asked, her eyes narrowing. “Because from where I was sitting, it sure looked like you were playing house.”
I hesitated, debating how much to tell her. “It’s… for Ava,” I said finally.
“For Ava?” Mia repeated, her skepticism clear. “You’re going to have to do better than that, Summer.”
I pressed my fingers to my temple, frustration bubbling up. “The clinic’s medical foundation is covering Ava’s surgery and recovery. But they have this archaic preference for married couples and stable families.”
Mia’s jaw dropped. “So, what—you and Enzo are pretending to be a couple to get their approval?”
“Pretty much,” I said, wincing at how ridiculous it sounded out loud.
She stared at me, her expression a mix of disbelief and concern. “Summer, what are you doing? This is insane.”
“You think I don’t know that?” I snapped, my voice sharper than I intended.
Mia softened slightly but didn’t back down. “You’ve always been independent, Summer. Fiercely independent. And I get that you’d do anything for Ava. But pretending to be in a relationship? With her doctor? How is that not crossing every line imaginable?”
“It’s not like that,” I said quickly. “Enzo is just… helping.”
“Helping,” she said flatly.
“Yes,” I insisted. “He cares about Ava. He wants to make sure she gets everything she needs. That’s all it is.”
Mia frowned, studying me. “And what about you?”
“What about me?” I asked, frowning.
“Are you sure you’re just pretending?” she asked, her tone gentler now.
I froze, my chest tightening. “It’s not like that,” I repeated, though my voice sounded less convincing this time.
Mia sighed, leaning back in her chair. “Summer, I know you’ve been through a lot. And I know you think you’re doing the right thing for Ava. But this? This feels like a disaster waiting to happen.”
“I don’t have another choice,” I said quietly.
“Maybe you do,” she said softly. “Maybe you just don’t want to see it.”
The sound of the café door opening drew my attention, and my stomach dropped when I saw Enzo walk in. He spotted me almost immediately, his brow furrowing slightly when he noticed Mia.
“Great,” I muttered under my breath.
“What?” Mia asked, following my gaze. “Oh.”
Enzo approached the table, his expression unreadable. “Hey,” he said, his tone cautious. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Hi,” I said awkwardly, avoiding Mia’s knowing smirk.
“And you must be Mia,” Enzo said, extending a hand.
Mia shook it, her smile polite but sharp. “That’s me. Summer’s oldest friend. And you’re the famous Dr. Pearson.”
“Guilty,” he said with a faint smile.
Mia leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. “We were just talking about you, actually.”
I shot her a warning look, but she ignored me.
“All good things, I hope,” Enzo said lightly, though his gaze flickered to me for confirmation.
“Of course,” Mia said sweetly, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
“Mia,” I said through gritted teeth.
“What?” she asked innocently.
Enzo glanced between us, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Am I missing something?”
“Not at all,” Mia said, standing and grabbing her bag. “But I should get going. This has been… enlightening.”
She kissed my cheek, her voice low enough for only me to hear. “Think about what I said, Summer. Don’t let this blow up in your face.”
I didn’t respond, too busy glaring at her retreating figure.
Once she was gone, Enzo sat down across from me, his expression serious. “What was that about?”
“Nothing,” I said quickly.
He raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t sound like nothing.”
I sighed, rubbing my temples. “Mia’s just… concerned.”
“About?” he prompted.
I hesitated, choosing my words carefully. “About the situation. About us pretending to be something we’re not.”
Enzo leaned back in his chair, his gaze thoughtful. “She has a point. It’s not exactly a normal situation.”
“No kidding,” I muttered.
“But it’s working,” he said, his tone firm. “The foundation is on board, Ava’s getting the care she needs, and no one’s gotten hurt.”
“Not yet,” I said under my breath.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” he asked, his voice tinged with concern.
I shook my head. “Nothing. Forget it.”
He studied me for a moment, then sighed. “Look, if this is too much for you, just say so. But don’t let someone else’s opinion make you second-guess what we’re doing.”
“I’m not,” I said, though the words felt hollow.
“Good,” he said, his gaze steady. “Because this is about Ava. And she’s worth whatever it takes.”
I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. “Yeah. She is.”
As we left the café, I couldn’t shake Mia’s words from my mind.
Don’t let this blow up in your face.
The problem was, I wasn’t sure I knew how to stop it.