“Nah, thankfully. I have angels now since Lexi entered the picture with her stepmom-extraordinaire skills.”
I wonder if I’m entering the picture as more than an uncle to Bo. Not sure why that thought comes to my mind, but it’s a credible question.
“Well, I did. She asked if I want to coach the hockey team,” Stone explains.
“I’m sure you declined, with your writing schedule.” Holden grips my shoulder. “Besides, if Nash sticks around then the job is his.”
Shaking my head, I press my lips together. “Not happening.”
If I stick around? I need to address that at some point.
“I’m telling Dad that you’re texting Justin Russo.” Holden’s son is loud enough that we hear him snipe at his sister.
Holden recoils. “My clue that peace is broken.” He groans and turns, while Stone and I follow as we should probably check on everyone. Besides, I’m getting hungry.
Summer and I meet halfway to the buffet table. The way the breeze blows in her hair gives me a view of her entire neck which is beautiful. Necks are underappreciated.
“Want me to go on duty?” I offer.
She already begins to hand Bo off. “That would be great. I’m dead serious. I need to make a candy apple and down a pumpkin-spiced expresso martini that I hear is rumored to be floating around.”
I chortle from the fact that she’s not one bit joking. “I might be carrying you both home later,” I note.
She waves me off. “Nah, I’m a perfectly responsible adult.”
Her high spirits wilt to a frown, and I notice she’s looking over my shoulder. I follow her line of sight and instantly relate to where her mind just went. There’s a boy who is dressed as a doctor.
And I’m the asshole who chose the hockey costume instead of the doctor option at the store. Bo’s dad, the doctor.
“Next year. A perfect costume for Bo.” I mean it when I say it.
Summer meets my gaze. “I’m fine. Maybe it’s good that sometimes we get little reminders just to ensure he isn’t forgotten. For Bo.”
She attempts to bring her smile back, but it’s weak. “There are sweet potatoes in the buffet. That would be perfect for Bo.”
“A gourmet meal is coming his way,” I promise.
The glimmer of appreciation in her eyes for the support is only intended for me, we just flow. Summer is about to step closer to show affection to me but stops herself when her eyes circle, and she reminds herself where we are.
It doesn’t matter. She’s having a decent day, and that’s all that matters.
“You’re kind of tipsy,”I tease Summer as she giggles.
Bo was fast asleep in the car, and I took him straight to bed. Now, I’m downstairs on the couch with Summer and enjoying a drink to kick back and relax.
Summer indicates with her fingers a small size as she sits on her knees and faces me. “A tiny bit. It’s been forever since I’ve enjoyed a cocktail.”
I’m entertained. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen this. What does tipsy Summer do again?”
“Eat lots of Halloween candy.”
“We’ll have nothing left.”
“Uhm. I used to strip for you,” she recalls.
My lips quirk out as my bottle rests on my lap. She did. That was the thing. We were explosive together. So much so that I feared at times it was only that. But then it was clear.
Summer was more.
