23. Summer
23
SUMMER
T he smell of garlic and rosemary filled the apartment, mingling with the faint hum of soft music coming from my small Bluetooth speaker. I leaned against the counter, watching as Enzo moved confidently around the kitchen.
“You weren’t kidding about knowing your way around a stove,” I said, crossing my arms.
He flashed me a grin, sliding a pan of vegetables onto the stove. “I don’t kid about food.”
Ava sat at the dining table, her hands busy coloring a picture of Bunny and her new dinosaur friend. Every so often, she glanced toward Enzo, giggling when he tasted the sauce and made an exaggerated expression of approval.
“What’s that face for?” I asked, smirking.
“Chef’s secret,” he said, tapping the spoon against the edge of the pot.
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t stop the smile tugging at my lips. It had been years since I’d seen this side of him—relaxed, playful, and so at ease. Watching him now, I couldn’t help but feel a strange warmth settle in my chest.
“Is it almost ready?” Ava asked, swinging her legs under the table.
“Almost,” Enzo said, stirring the sauce one last time before turning off the burner. “You’ve got to be patient, kiddo. Good things take time.”
Ava sighed dramatically but grinned when Enzo carried the pan to the counter. He started plating the food, his movements precise and efficient.
“What are we having again?” she asked.
“Chicken with a creamy garlic sauce, roasted veggies, and some noodles,” he said, placing a plate in front of her. “Think you can handle that?”
“Yes!” Ava said eagerly, picking up her fork.
“And for you,” he said, handing me a plate.
I raised an eyebrow. “Fancy dinner for a weeknight.”
He shrugged, sitting down across from me. “You deserve fancy.”
The comment caught me off guard, and I looked away, focusing on my plate.
Dinner was quiet at first, the sound of forks scraping against plates filling the space. Ava broke the silence, as usual.
“This is so good!” she said through a mouthful of noodles.
“Don’t talk with your mouth full, sweetheart,” I said automatically, though I couldn’t help but smile.
Ava swallowed and grinned. “It’s still so good!”
“Glad you like it,” Enzo said, his expression proud.
“I wish you could cook for us all the time,” Ava added, twirling her fork in her noodles.
Enzo chuckled. “That’s a big request.”
“You should live with us,” she said innocently, looking up at him.
The words hung in the air, and I froze, my fork halfway to my mouth.
“That would be fun, huh?” Enzo said lightly, glancing at me.
Ava nodded enthusiastically, completely unaware of the tension that had settled between us.
I forced a smile, reaching over to brush a curl from her face. “Let’s just enjoy dinner, okay?”
“Okay,” she said, turning back to her plate.
As the meal went on, I found myself stealing glances at Enzo. He was attentive, playful with Ava, and so naturally a part of our evening that it felt… right.
He caught me looking at one point, his gaze meeting mine with a warmth that made my heart skip a beat. I quickly looked away, pretending to focus on Ava’s chatter about her latest drawing.
By the time we finished eating, Ava was yawning, her energy finally waning.
“Bath time,” I said, standing to clear her plate.
“Do I have to?” she asked, pouting.
“Yes, you do,” I said, smiling despite myself. “Say thank you to Enzo first.”
“Thank you, Enzo!” she said, hugging him tightly.
“You’re welcome, kiddo,” he said, ruffling her hair.
After I got Ava settled in the tub, I returned to the living room to find Enzo tidying up the kitchen.
“You don’t have to do that,” I said, leaning against the counter.
“I don’t mind,” he said without looking up.
I watched him for a moment, my chest tightening with emotions I couldn’t quite name. “Thank you. For tonight.”
He set a plate in the sink and turned to face me, his expression soft. “It was my pleasure.”
Later, after Ava was tucked into bed, Enzo and I sat on the couch, the quiet of the apartment wrapping around us. A half-empty glass of wine sat on the table between us, and the faint glow of a lamp cast long shadows across the room.
“She’s amazing,” he said, breaking the silence.
“She is,” I agreed softly.
“She’s got your fire,” he added, his gaze steady.
“And your patience,” I said before I could stop myself.
He smiled faintly, his expression turning thoughtful. “Do you ever think about how things could’ve been?”
His question caught me off guard, and I hesitated, my hands fidgeting in my lap. “Sometimes.”
He leaned back, running a hand through his hair. “I missed so much, Summer. Her first steps, her first words… all of it.”
“I know,” I whispered, guilt twisting in my chest.
“I don’t blame you,” he said quickly. “I just… I want to make up for it. For all of it.”
“You already are,” I said, meeting his gaze.
We sat in silence for a moment, the weight of everything unsaid hanging between us.
“I want to be there for her,” he said finally, his voice quiet but resolute. “Not just as someone she sees every now and then. I want to be her dad.”
Tears stung my eyes, and I nodded, unable to speak.
“And I want to be there for you,” he added, his gaze never leaving mine.
My breath caught, and I looked away, my emotions swirling. “I don’t know if I deserve that, Enzo.”
“You do,” he said firmly.
I felt his hand brush against mine, and I turned back to face him. He reached up, gently tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.
My heart skipped a beat, the warmth of his touch lingering.
“Summer,” he said softly, his voice full of emotion.
Before he could say more, a faint noise from Ava’s room broke the moment.
I stood quickly, my cheeks flushed. “I should check on her.”
He nodded, leaning back but watching me with an intensity that made my chest ache.
After making sure Ava was still asleep, I returned to the living room to find Enzo gathering his things.
“I should go,” he said, his tone gentle.
“Thank you again for tonight,” I said, walking him to the door.
He hesitated, his hand on the doorknob. “Goodnight, Summer.”
“Goodnight,” I said softly.
As the door clicked shut behind him, I leaned against it, my emotions a whirlwind.