In Love, Never Say Never

“Are you saying that you’ve never tried to find out what happened to Macy back then?” I asked. My heart ached for Macy. If Jared really cared about her, why didn’t he even try?

The obvious answer was that he didn’t care. Otherwise, Jared wouldn’t have given up just like that. Not only had he never tried to look for Macy, he never even asked after her.

It made me even more fearful of handing Summer over to Jared.

He remained silent, biting his lip.

I’d calmed down. Looking at Jared’s troubled face, I vowed, “No matter what the Crests have planned for Summer, I will never give her up to you.”

I then stalked the rest of the way back to the table.

Ashton had been engaged in casual chit-chat with Joe. When he said me, he reached out in concern and asked, “What took you so long?”

“It’s nothing. Have you finished eating already?” We’d all gathered here today under the pretext of having dinner, but nobody had taken more than a few bites.

Ashton continued looking at me. “You’re not hungry?”

I shook my head vigorously. “Nope.”

Upon hearing this, Ashton pushed back his chair and stood up. Politely, he said to Joe, “It’s getting late. We’ll get going then.”

Obvious displeasure was written all over Joe’s face. He demanded, “Didn’t we agree to this get-together? Are you leaving before we’ve even gotten to say anything?”

repeated firmly, hauling me along with him. Jared was smoking near the door. We passed each

throbbed as we got into the car. “Ashton, do you think it’s right for me

a mellow voice, he asked, “Did Jared

that whatever I do for her

had visited her at the villa. But what would I tell an innocent child of four, five years old? What could she

would leave someday,

other, but she continues to stay with us. They can come over every once in a while to see her. Would you be able

mean a bigger family and more love showered upon her. She

a while before replying

hesitation for agreement. “Of course!” he

she came running and flew into his arms. At her age, she was already rather adept at

have something for you!” Summer announced, putting on an air

to contain his laughter, Ashton

a sweet from her pocket, hiding it in the palm of her hand. It was all very obvious to us, but she was

“Give me

A sweet encased in

of myself. Children often

her up in his hands and carried her over to the sofa. Patiently,

My friend Dottie from school said that her uncle gave it to her aunt when they got married. It’s a lucky sweet! If you eat

My ears pricked up at her last sentence and halted immediately, turning to look at

made