In Love, Never Say Never

Both sides of the street were lined with rose bushes that were always in full bloom during this time of the year. Summer liked playing here, and she liked dragging Colin and Michael along here with her as well.

Every time she came here, she would ask for an ice cream cone, and Colin would buy one for her.

Colin exited a shop, handing one ice cream cone each to Summer and Michael before giving me one as well.

I chuckled. He’s treating me like a child.

Summer carefully licked at her cone, lifting her head up to look at Colin. “Mr. Johnson, why do you always buy ice cream for Mommy too? Mommy says that only kids eat ice cream, and adults don’t.”

“Your Mommy is a kid, just like you,” joked Colin.

Summer glanced at Jackson in confusion, going on to ask, “Mr. Jackson is the same age as Mommy, so does that mean he’s a kid? Why didn’t you buy ice cream for Mr. Jackson?”

Jackson nearly spat his water out. “That’s because I’m a manly man. I’m not a kid, so I don’t eat these kinds of things. Your Mommy and I are different—no matter how old your Mommy gets, she will always be a child.”

Summer nodded, although it didn’t look like she understood a single thing he’d said.

As the sky grew darker and darker, the street lamps suddenly lit up. I couldn’t help but gasp at the sight. Nick and I had walked through a street that looked similar to this one in the past.

That street had also been filled with rose bushes, but this one didn’t have a night market, nor a barbecue stand.

“What are you thinking about?” Jackson nudged me, jolting me from my daze.

already run off

shook my head slowly

alright—personality-wise and looks-wise. Other than being a little older, he’d

furrowed my eyebrows as

you a good partner!” He

you’re not so busy with work after all,” I

good guy. He treats you well and has been helping to look after Summer these past few years. Besides, you’re thirty years old. Now that you’ve moved on, you should start rebuilding your life

rolled my eyes and decided to

eyes at me. I’m being serious!” Jackson chased after me, ranting on, “Ashton is

down my spine, and I stiffened for the briefest moment. Taking a few seconds to process the new information, I glanced back at

love between them, he has to take responsibility for her, so getting married isn’t that big of a deal. You, on the other hand, should honestly consider

had

That’s right.

live his own life shouldn’t have

were now strangers to each other. I should

ice cream under the dim glow of the street lamps, I

as soon as her head hit the pillow at home. Colin had brought Michael home as

pain. Even after four years, I would still

I had