Page 62 of Let Me Love You

Serenity twists her neck so she can meet my gaze. Her brows are raised as if she’s waiting for me to take the lead on this.

“I think we can volunteer our time,” I reply.

Step one of being accepted by the people of Granite Falls done. I can’t stop the lightness in my chest from spreading. No one here cares about status. I’m just another person in town that people are starting to say hi to.

I pick up Summer and grab Serenity’s hand before leading them over to a table where Harmony and Elias are sitting. The moment the duo spots us, Serenity immediately lets go of my hand.

I flex my fingers.

She’s made huge improvements. Don’t push her if she isn’t ready.

Sitting next to Summer, I relax as Harmony chatters. Serenity listens intently but doesn’t say much, and I can only wonder what she’s thinking.

Instead of trying to figure out what’s going on inside her brain, I turn to Summer and say, “When we go back to New York, I say we play in your tree house.”

Her bright green eyes light up. “And bubbles?”

I chuckle. “Yes, of course. Maybe we can get a bubble machine.”

“Really?” The wonder in her voice almost makes me want to promise her more, but Serenity would probably murder me. “That’s amazing.”

I could get used to this kind of life with Serenity, her family—especially Summer—and this little town that has grown on me.

Chapter 28

Serenity

After twenty minutes, more and more people join us at our table, but I can’t tear my eyes off Victor as he sits with Summer on his lap. The surrounding chatter drowns out their voices, but I’ve never seen either of them smile so big before.

My heart squeezes. Summer deserves to have someone like Victor in her life—someone who doesn’t have to love her but does anyway—and I’m the one standing in her way.

Harmony leans over. “I can watch Summer tonight.”

I whip my head to look at her. Sully sits on her other side, engaged in conversation with Vicky, Elias’s tía. And on Vicky’s other side, Elias is speaking to Abigail. None of them pays us any attention.

“No need.”

She cocks an eyebrow. “Why don’t you go out tonight, just the two of you? You might find his company is more enjoyable than you think.”

My cheeks heat.

If only she knew how much I enjoy his company.

My gaze strays back to Victor. He leans down to listen to something Summer says, and he throws his head back and laughs. Summer looks up at him with stars in her eyes. I should go take her away from him—to protect her heart.

Or are you trying to protect your own? the annoying voice in my head asks.

I stand and walk over to Victor and Summer.

Summer looks up at me. “Mommy, Victor said we can go to the aquarium sometime. Can we?”

I almost blow out a sigh of relief. No extravagant promises from Victor. An aquarium is something we can actually do.

“Of course, baby.” I stretch out my arms and pick her up. “How do you feel about a slumber party with Auntie?”

“Yes, yes, yes!” She squirms to get out of my arms, and I place her on her feet. She scurries over to Harmony and climbs into her lap. “Mommy said I get to sleep at your house tonight.”

Harmony scruffs up Summer’s curls. “Absolutely. I love slumber parties with my number one girl.”