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“You have no idea how hard anything is because you let someone else do it for you,” Summer bites back with a sharpness to her words that I’ve never heard from her before. “You are not qualified to give me any input when it comes to our relationship or Easton.”
“Well then.” Miranda quirks a brow at her, sucking her cheeks in as though she’s holding in everything else she wants to say and more. Walking out of the kitchen, she looks between us with disappointment and incredulity etched all over her face. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”
The silence that falls around us lasts only a second at best before Easton starts crying again. Summer looks at me with worry drawing on her pretty face.
I’m about to tell her to put the whole thing with Miranda out of her mind when she says, “Something’s wrong, Parker. He’s been fussing and crying…I’ve never seen him like this.”
When she turns Easton toward me and I try to take him from her, it only makes him cry harder. If there ever was a contradiction to the conversation that just took place…
With his cheeks brightly flushed and eyes bloodshot from the crying, Easton rubs at his ear.
“His ears are still playing up from the landing. It’s not the first time it’s happened.” The last time he was grumpy for days, but some Tylenol helped soothe him.
“Are you sure? This is the worst feeling ever. I’ve done everything that normally settles him, but…”
“Let me get his travel bag, and we can give him some Tylenol. That should help him nap for a little.”
“Okay.” Summer nods, rocking Easton in her arms.
Once I’ve given him the meds and we’ve taken him for a walk around the town in his stroller, we grab a coffee from the chic patisserie where we’re picking up Rosie’s cake.
“You weren’t lying when you said this place was small,” I chuckle, looking around the main street as we enjoy our lattes.
“Nope, and I wasn’t exaggerating when I told you that everyone knows everyone. You’re the main attraction right now,” Summer laughs, glancing around at the people looking our way. “It’s only because you’re with me, otherwise, they would assume that you’re just another rich guy on vacation.”
“They wouldn’t be wrong,” I laugh at her haughty tone. “I am a rich guy on vacation with his girlfriend and his kid.”
“Shhh… God, you might as well take out an advert in the Tribune. That’s going to be the only thing anyone talks about.”
“You want me to fix that?” I give her a look that promises mischief, and she shakes her head, but before she can say no, I kiss her, hard and slow. If people really are going to talk, they might as well do it about the good stuff.
We stroll back to her aunt’s house across town, taking the scenic seaside route. It’s a beautiful August day. The sun is beaming, and if we didn’t have somewhere to be, I would stop to enjoy a few hours on the beach with her.
“We should come back tomorrow,” I tell Summer, brushing her hair from her face as it whips around with the breeze. “Make a day of it. Easton will love it, and it will be nice to make the most of our time here.”
As I look around the picturesque seafront, Summer links her arm with mine. “I’d love that.”
The rest of our walk seems way too short. We’re back at the house too soon, and although Miranda is nowhere in sight, the awkwardness from her confrontation with Summer lingers in the way that the rest of her family hover. Especially her aunt and Rosie.
With Easton a little more settled, I take her uncle up on his offer to help set up for the party at their pub.
We’re pretty much done when my phone starts ringing. Ellen.
Fuck.
Sending it to voicemail, I ignore both of her calls. This is going to be a drama-free weekend, and I’m not letting her ruin it with her bullshit. I don’t care what the fuck is happening with her or Heather. For once, I’m going to be selfish and focus on the only two people that matter.
“Hey, any of you seen Carter?” Rowan, Summer’s older cousin, asks. “Motherfucker is never around for the hard work!”
“Quit your complaining, and don’t be teasing your sister about it either.” Liam, his father, throws a wet rag at him when he yaps around with his hands. “Besides, he’s your best friend.” Dragging out the last part, Liam chuckles something incoherent to himself and goes back to cleaning the draft taps.
“So, you and Summer going to visit us more often?” Rowan throws my way. Anyone would think he’s looking for something new to moan about.
“Why don’t you just focus on what you’re doing?” Liam snarks at him.
“Come on, Da… I heard Mom ask her the same thing earlier. Everyone misses the kid.”
Summer is most certainly not a kid, and something in my expression must give my thought away because he quickly adds, “Sorry, she’s always been the baby of the family.”
