Page 101 of Tastes Like Summer

“You have me forever, now.”

I press my lips to hers—finally—and melt. Because even though we’re in the middle of winter, it tastes like summer.

FIVE YEARS LATER

“Did you get everything done?” I ask, my phone pressed between my shoulder and my ear as I chop up some cucumbers for tonight’s dinner.

Diana sighs over the phone—but it isn’t a frustrated sigh. It isn’t a stressed out one, either. It’s the sound of her relief. That after five years of hard work—during which she spent one year of LSAT prep, four years of law school which she attended part time, all while having a full-time job, managing a cross-country move, and being the best mom to her kids—we’re finally going to be able to reunite our family and be in one place. Diana, Emi, and Cami are finally coming home to Rachel and me.

“Yes, I’m done. The movers left about half an hour ago, I’m handing over the apartment keys tomorrow morning, and immediately taking the train out East after.”

I can’t help the wide smile that spreads across my face. “I can’t wait.”

“How are the girls?”

I look over at Rachel and Diana’s two daughters, watching TV on the couch and talking excitedly as they click through YouTube videos with Rachel. Diana sent Cami and Emi ahead of time so they could start at their new school while she wrapped things up in New York City.

Once Diana got into law school and Rodrigo’s voluntary relinquishing of parental rights was finalized, Diana and the girls moved to Queens. For the past four years, she’d been attending law school part-time at Cardozo School of Law in the city. Since then, she’s been working in Jonathan’s company’s in-house legal counsel department after she asked for a job. Edgar, knowing her situation, happily let her go so long as she promised to always look out for herself and her kids first.

It’s been a dream come true, having her so close. To get to see her and the kids every weekend for the past four years. To spend every holiday together as a family, either here or in Colorado, has been an incredible gift I have never nor will ever take for granted.

“We’re doing great here. Settling into the new house.” A ranch-style home I bought for our new blended family. Diana was hesitant about it at first, but I wanted to show her just how committed I am to us and to Cami and Emi by having the house under both our names. And if the house isn’t enough to show her how much I want this to work, I’m sure the emerald cut sapphire I got her will give her an idea. But she doesn’t know about that yet.

She’s it.

“They’re not causing any trouble, are they?”

I set the knife down and laugh. “So what if they are? They should feel comfortable enough to.”

I can practically hear her roll her eyes. “You spoil them.”

A wistful sigh. “I’m weak, what can I say?”

Diana laughs, though, because she knows just how happy I am. “Has Cami told you her new thing yet?”

I chuckle. “Oh, yeah. Sourdough.”

“She’s been watching bread baking videos non-stop for the past couple of months. Said she can’t wait for you to teach her how to do it right. So far, all she’s done is make gloopy messes in my kitchen.” She chuckles.

My heart swells in my chest. I love that I’ve been able to connect with Cami when it comes to cooking and baking. We’ve come a long way. “Yeah. We’re gonna make a starter from scratch tomorrow. She’s already challenged me to a bake-off.”

“When are you proposing?” Cami asks in a whisper.

“Shh, kid. You’re gonna kill the surprise.” I should’ve never told the girls. But then again, there was no way I was ever going to ask Diana to marry me without the approval of all three.

Cami rolls her eyes at me, her face covered in flour from our latest round of experimental bread loaf baking. It took us about ten days to get a sourdough starter going, and Cami and I haven’t been able to stop baking since. “She’s in the shower! It’s not like she’ll be able to hear us,” she whisper-yells.

I chuckle. “Sorry, I’m nervous.”

“Are you proposing tonight during your date night?”

“Maybe.” I wiggle my eyebrows.

Cami gasps. “Emi! Rach! C’mere!”

“Shhhh!! Dang, be cool, Cami,” I beg, my heart sprinting.

“She’s in the shower,” she repeats with another eye roll.