Summit didn’t appear fazed, as he curled up and plunked his head down on his already massive paws before we even slipped inside.
We were back outside with our cones and a bowl of water for Summit a few minutes later.
“So, where’ve you been?” she asked between bites of her treat. “I didn’t see you yesterday.”
“See me—oh.”
“At the wedding.” She looked up at me incredulously. “It was crazy. I can’t believe you missed it. Please tell me you heard what happened?”
I really didn’t want to lie to my niece. But I didn’t know how much to give away. “I’ve heard a bit.” I shrugged casually.
“She didn’t show up,” Quinn said, clearly not noticing my reluctance to talk. “Like, at all.” She stared at me, waiting for a reaction. “Her own wedding. Can you believe it?”
I could.
“So brave.”
“Brave?”
“Totally.” Quinn got to her feet. “I mean, obviously, she doesn’t love him. And I don’t think anyone should marry someone they don’t love. That seems…sad.”
I studied her. “You’ve given this some thought.”
“Everyone was talking about it.” She shrugged. “But nobody said that part out loud.”
We sat in silence for a beat, Summit’s tail thumping against the bench.
“Do you believe in love?” she asked suddenly.
Never in my life had I been asked so much about love as I had in the last few weeks. I wasn’t sure I was a fan of the conversation.
But this time I didn’t hesitate with my answer. “Yeah. I do.”
“It all seems so dramatic and over the top.” She rolled her eyes and licked her cone.
“It doesn’t have to be.” I shrugged. “In fact, maybe it’s not supposed to be.” I felt her eyes on me, but I continued. “Maybe it’s supposed to be easy. Like you don’t have to force it.”
She nodded thoughtfully, accepting my thoughts before firing the next question at me. “Have you ever been in love?”
The ice cream slid down my throat with an uncomfortable icy burn.
HadI been in love?
Was obsessively thinking about someone and wanting the best for them, love?
Was missing someone when they weren’t around, love?
Was constantly imagining ways to make that person smile, love?
Was the idea of that person being with someone else making you crazy, love?
Was I in love?
Oh, fuck.
“Well?” Quinn nudged me. “Have you, Uncle Pres?”
“I…well…no,” I lied. “I don’t think I have.”
