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“Thank you for the flowers. They’re beautiful,” Jenna says once the little ones sprint to the gazebo, where I presume the pizza awaits. “I’ll go put them in a vase.”
“Momma, I’ll go. I got flowers too, and I’ll put those in water as well. They’ll dry up if I leave them in the car the entire day,” Summer says.
“Sure thing, honey.”
Summer takes the flowers from her mother, turning to me. “Did you lock the car?”
“No, it’s open.”
“Great. I won’t be long.”
“You have a beautiful place here, Mrs. Bennett,” I comment after Summer leaves, and we walk in the direction of the gazebo.
“Thank you. It’s far too big for my husband and me, but when the entire family gathers here, it’s just the right size. I’m happy you could make it here today.”
“
Summer talks a lot about you. Couldn’t pass up the opportunity to meet everyone.”
Jenna smiles, sizing me up the way only a mother can. With just enough severity that you know she’s measuring how worthy you are of her daughter.
“How are you liking San Francisco? Summer says you moved recently.”
“Yes, ma’am, a few weeks. I wanted to be closer to my sister and her family.”
I can practically see Jenna checking off an item on her mental worthy-of-my-daughter list.
We chitchat about Sophie and San Francisco, and why I chose to move here. When we approach the gazebo, Summer’s sisters join us too.
“Mom, don’t monopolize Alex,” Pippa says. She looks a lot like Summer, while Alice resembles their mother. “We all want to talk to him.”
“I need to go check on the next batch of pizzas. He’s all yours. I’ll catch you later, Alex.”
I lean against one of the wooden poles of the gazebo, looking between the two of them. I have a hunch I’m about to be cornered.
“Summer wasn’t exaggerating,” Pippa comments once their mother is out of earshot. “You look even better in real life.” Then she presses her lips together, looking around her. “And I have to add that I meant that in a purely objective and sisterly way. No one’s hotter than my husband.”
Her expression shifts subtly when she trains her eyes on me again. “So, I’m gonna say this outright. You already won about one thousand points with the spa conspiracy, and about another thousand for bringing Mom flowers.”
“But that still doesn’t mean we won’t be keeping an eye on you,” Alice weighs in. “Any hint that our baby sister’s unhappy, and you’ll have your hands full.”
I grin. “Summer warned me about your brothers grilling me. She forgot to mention you two.”
Alice scoffs. “I’m offended. She thought she’d show up here with you, and we wouldn’t give you the talk?”
“That’s how little she thinks of us, huh?” Pippa asks, tsking and shaking her head. A delicious smell reaches us as the wind blows in our direction.
“Pizza’s ready,” Jenna announces.
“Oh man, the second pizza batch smells even better than the first. Mom is killing me,” Pippa comments, rubbing her belly.
I remain just outside the gazebo while the sisters head in, lured by the promise of pizza.
I like knowing that my girl has so many people who care about her, who have her back. I’m so lost in my own thoughts that I don’t notice Summer until she steps right in front of me.
“What are you thinking about?” Summer asks. “You’re flashing your I’m-super-happy smile.”
“I’ve got a sad smile too?”
