16. Summer
16
SUMMER
T he sun was bright overhead as we stepped out of the car and onto the gravel parking lot of the local botanical gardens. Ava held Bunny tightly in one hand and clutched mine with the other, her face alight with excitement.
“This place is huge!” she exclaimed, craning her neck to look at the towering trees lining the entrance.
“It’s one of Mom’s favorite spots,” Enzo said, smiling as he stepped up beside us.
“It’s beautiful,” I admitted, glancing around. The gardens stretched as far as I could see, filled with vibrant flowers, winding paths, and the soothing sound of trickling fountains.
“Summer! Ava!” Elaine’s voice rang out as she waved us over from a shaded bench near the entrance.
“Hi, Grandma Elaine!” Ava called, running toward her.
My chest tightened at the word “Grandma,” but Elaine’s delighted smile eased some of the tension. She crouched down to hug Ava, then stood, her eyes sparkling as she greeted me.
“We’re so glad you could make it,” she said warmly.
“Thanks for inviting us,” I said, forcing a smile.
Richard joined us a few moments later, offering a firm handshake and a kind smile. Beth and her husband weren’t far behind, their two kids trailing after them with ice cream cones in hand. The scene was picturesque—an idyllic family outing that should have felt comforting.
But all I could focus on was the growing knot in my stomach.
Enzo’s family had been nothing but kind to me and Ava, but their curiosity about us—and about Ava’s father—was becoming harder to deflect.
“Let’s start with the rose garden,” Elaine suggested, taking Ava’s hand.
Ava chattered happily as we followed the group down the path, pointing out flowers and asking questions about their names. Enzo stayed close to her, answering her questions with ease and offering little facts that made her giggle.
“Did you know roses have been around for millions of years?” he said, crouching beside a bush of deep red blooms.
“Millions?” Ava asked, her eyes wide.
“Yep,” Enzo said with a grin. “They’re older than dinosaurs.”
“Whoa,” Ava breathed, clutching Bunny tighter.
Watching them together was both heartwarming and nerve-wracking. Their connection was undeniable, and every moment they spent together seemed to deepen it.
As we reached a small pond surrounded by benches, Ava broke away to chase a butterfly fluttering near the water’s edge. Elaine and Richard sat down nearby, chatting quietly, while Enzo stayed on his feet, his gaze never leaving Ava.
“She adores you,” I said softly, stepping up beside him.
“She’s easy to adore,” he said, his voice warm.
I nodded, my chest tightening. “She’s lucky to have you.”
He glanced at me, something unreadable in his expression. “I think I’m the lucky one.”
His words hit harder than I expected, and I looked away, focusing on Ava as she crouched by the water, pointing out tiny fish to Bunny.
“Careful, sweetheart,” I called, stepping closer.
“I’m being careful!” she said, her voice full of determination.
Enzo laughed softly. “She’s got your stubborn streak.”
I froze for half a second before forcing a smile. “She’s just independent.”
“She’s more than that,” he said, his tone thoughtful. “She’s smart, curious, creative…”
“Like her mom,” he added, his voice softer now.
I glanced at him, my heart skipping a beat. Before I could respond, Ava’s voice rang out.
“Mommy, do you remember when I made the big castle with Enzo?”
“I do,” I said, smiling.
“It was so fun,” Ava said, her face lighting up. She turned to Enzo, clutching Bunny. “Do you think you can help me make a new one soon?”
“Absolutely,” he said without hesitation. “What kind of castle are we building this time?”
“A dragon castle,” Ava said, nodding seriously. “With a moat. Like the one in the story you told me.”
Enzo tilted his head. “The one I told you?”
“Yeah!” Ava said brightly. “Mommy told me you liked castles when you were little, just like me.”
Enzo’s brow furrowed, his gaze shifting to me. “She did?”
My stomach flipped. “I—um—I might have mentioned it once,” I said quickly.
Ava nodded eagerly. “She told me lots of stories about you!”
“Did she?” Enzo said, his tone curious.
Ava didn’t seem to notice the change in his voice. “Yeah! She said you were really good at puzzles, just like me!”
The air felt heavier suddenly, and I forced a laugh. “Kids and their imaginations, huh?”
Enzo didn’t respond right away, his eyes narrowing slightly as he looked at me. “Yeah. Imagination.”
The moment passed, but the tension lingered. As we continued walking, I felt Enzo’s gaze on me more than once, though he didn’t say anything.
By the time we reached the picnic area, Ava was tired but still full of energy, bouncing from one table to the next with Bunny in tow. Enzo stayed close to her, his protective instincts on full display, while I hung back, helping Elaine set out snacks.
“She’s such a wonderful child,” Elaine said, handing me a container of fruit.
“Thank you,” I said softly.
“She’s so much like Enzo,” she added, her tone thoughtful.
My hands stilled for a moment before I forced a smile. “She’s her own person.”
“Of course,” Elaine said, her smile warm. “But the resemblance is uncanny, don’t you think?”
I didn’t respond, my chest tightening as I busied myself with the snacks.
As the outing wound down, Ava climbed onto Enzo’s lap, resting her head against his chest.
“Did you have fun today?” he asked, brushing a curl from her face.
“The best,” she murmured, her voice sleepy.
“You’re pretty amazing, you know that?” he said softly.
“So are you,” she said, her words slurring as she drifted off.
Watching them together, my heart ached with a mix of emotions I couldn’t untangle.
On the drive home, Enzo was unusually quiet, his hands steady on the wheel as Ava slept soundly in the backseat.
“You okay?” I asked, glancing at him.
“Yeah,” he said after a moment, his tone careful. “Just thinking.”
“About what?” I asked, though I wasn’t sure I wanted to know the answer.
“About how much Ava knows,” he said, his gaze flicking to me briefly. “And how much you’ve told her.”
I hesitated, my chest tightening. “She asks a lot of questions. I try to keep my answers simple.”
“Simple,” he repeated, his tone unreadable.
The rest of the drive was silent, tension hanging heavy in the air.
As we pulled up to my apartment, Enzo glanced at me again. “Thanks for coming today.”
“Of course,” I said, forcing a smile.
He nodded, his expression still thoughtful. “Goodnight, Summer.”
“Goodnight,” I said, my heart heavy as I watched him drive away.
The cracks in the facade were growing, and I wasn’t sure how much longer I could keep the truth from breaking through.