Page 124 of Lease to Love

"Most of the time."

Her smile deepened. "That's what I've heard. You're strengthening your why."

She leaned forward.

"That's why I didn't say anything about the little act you and Sunny cooked up."

I nearly choked.

"I'm sorry?"

Ms. Langston laughed. "Oh, please. I might be an old lady, but I’m not blind."

"I—"

"I've been around much longer than you've been alive, Mr. Sterling. I've seen men lie with straight faces and women lie with their entire bodies." She took a sip of tea. "You two weren't fooling me."

I couldn't help it. I laughed.

"How long?"

"Long enough." She gave me a knowing look. "I started hearing things about you at the exact same time I started hearing things about you and Summer being an item. Coincidence?"

I shook my head. "That isn't—"

She raised one eyebrow.

I stopped. "Fine."

"Much better.” She smiled.

“Like I said, you two weren’t fooling me. But I didn’t say anything… And then I saw you together."

Something in her expression softened.

"I've known Sunny since she was born. I've never seen that girl bring a boyfriend to this house. Not one."

She leaned back.

"But she brought you. And I saw something I didn't expect."

My throat tightened.

"I saw my Sunny with a light in her eyes I haven't seen since Autumn. A twinkle behind her smile. Energy. Something alive."

I couldn't speak, but I felt what she was going to say next before she said it.

She smiled softly. "Summer is in love."

I swallowed.

"And she doesn't fall easily. But that wasn't what changed my mind."

She looked directly at me. "It was you."

My chest tightened.

"The way you looked at her. Like you were in awe of her. Like you weren't quite sure you deserved her," she smiled. "But like the sun rose and set on that girl's smile anyway."