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?”

was smoking near the door. We

into the car. “Ashton, do you think it’s right

voice, he

that whatever I do

Jared had visited her at the villa. But what would I tell an innocent child of four, five

would

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

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

for a while before

for agreement. “Of course!” he agreed

back. When she saw Ashton and me enter, she came running and flew into

you!” Summer announced, putting on an

his laughter,

the palm of her hand. It was all very obvious

instructed, “Give me your

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

in spite of myself. Children often derived joy

and carried her over to the sofa. Patiently, he asked, “Why did you suddenly want to give me

to her aunt when they got married. It’s a lucky sweet! If you eat it, you can marry Mommy. Then I’ll have a Daddy

kitchen. My ears pricked up at her last

made a lovely