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?”

along with him. Jared was smoking near

got into the car. “Ashton, do you think

In a mellow voice, he asked, “Did Jared

head. “I just feel that whatever I do for her won’t be good

I should tell Summer everything, all those times that Jared had visited her at the villa. But what

Summer would leave someday,

and the Crests get to acknowledge each other, but she continues to stay with us. They can come over every once in a while

would mean a bigger family and more love showered

a while before replying uncertainly, “Can that be

hesitation for agreement. “Of

was already at the villa when we got back. When she saw Ashton and me enter, she came running and flew into his arms. At her age, she was already rather adept at turning on

something for you!” Summer announced, putting on an

to contain his laughter, Ashton

her hand.

“Give me

so. A sweet encased in a shiny wrapper dropped into his

of myself. Children often derived joy from

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

from school said that her uncle gave it to her aunt when

towards the kitchen. My ears pricked up at her last sentence and halted immediately, turning to look at the two

made