Page 56 of The Summer of Us

“What’s her story? Is she single?”

“Single? Yes. Complicated? Yes. The closest thing I’ll ever have to a sister? Yes.”

He studied me. “Gotcha.”

I held up my hands. “Just saying. She’s important to me.”

“Okay.”

Abby came out of the kitchen, her bravado back in place. She approached the table with a smile.

“How were the buns?”

“They’re my new favorite thing,” Michael said. “I could eat you, um, I mean them, every day.”

I choked on my coffee.

Jesus, these two were going to kill me.

Color stained Abby’s cheeks, and my eyebrows flew up. Abby never blushed.

“Oh…good. That’s good,” she mumbled, her eyes never leaving his face.

Silence hung as they stared at each other. With a groan, I stood. “Abby this is Michael. Michael, Abby.” I pushed Abby down into my chair. “Why don’t you two talk? I’ll go help Sunny.”

I paused at the door and looked behind me. They were still staring at each other, both of them looking as if they were the only two people in the room.

I shook my head as I entered the kitchen. Abby getting involved with a local hadn’t been in my plans. Then I laughed. Me working in a bakery on the long weekend while in Mission Cove after finding Sunny again hadn’t been in my plans either.

Yet, here I was. And I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

* * *

“Are you ready?” Sunny asked.

“It’s going to be fine.” I squeezed her shoulder. “I’m right here with you.”

“Okay.” Sunny’s fingers flew over the keyboard, and a few moments later, the screen filled with her sisters’ faces.

“Hey, girls.” She greeted them.

Hayley and Emily both started to talk, and I sat to the side, listening as they chatted, filling Sunny in on their news about school, their part-time jobs, boys they were dating and/or interested in—their lives in general.

I could see their faces from where I sat. They were both grown up—no longer the little girls who loved hugs and treats. As I listened to their voices and heard their laughter, they were still in the echoes of my memories that lingered. I hoped once they heard Sunny’s news, they recalled some good memories of me.

There was a lull in the conversation, after they asked if Sunny was ready for the busy weekend coming up.

“Yes,” she replied. “I, ah, have some extra help.” Her gaze drifted my way. “And some news.”

Hayley came closer to the screen. “Sunny, are you seeing someone?”

Sunny reached for my hand, and I gripped it hard for encouragement. “Yes, I am.”

“Tell us!” Emily demanded.

Sunny’s cheeks turned a soft pink. “He’s special. Very special.”

“Oh my God, it’s serious,” Hayley said.