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“He may need time,” Sumner said. “Grief can be unpredictable. I’m sure it was difficult for him to ever imagine a future without his wife. Let alone a future with someone else.”
“You mean a future withme. His sister-in-law.” Because clearly, that was the bigger issue.
“Yes.” She nodded. “That could be an obstacle too.”
I was pretty sure it still was. Tristan might be okay with our relationship when it was just the two of us, but I could never imagine him walking down the street holding my hand. And while I told myself I could accept that—at least for the summer—I was finding it more and more difficult to reconcile. Especially since he’d given me Tessa’s charm.
I toyed with my necklace. As much as I loved having something she’d treasured, I felt weird about wearing it. Like it didn’t belong to me. And, as with her dress, it made me wonder if he saw me for me. Or if I was merely a stand-in for my sister.
But this wasn’t just about Tristan and me. “Plus, there’s the kids to consider. Our families. Our friends.”
“I’m guessing everyone just wants him to be happy. He’s suffered a lot this past year. You all have.”
I shook my head. “You don’t know my mother. She wouldneversupport this.” And while I didn’t want to care, part of me did.
“I worried my dad would never come around,” Sumner said. “It took him a while. And it was painful. But eventually, he realized how happy Jonathan and I were together.”
I scoffed and downed the rest of my drink, the bubbles scratching my throat. “My mom isn’t like that. And we certainly don’t have the relationship that you and your dad do.”
I hadn’t realized how much I was holding in. How much I was holding back. It was nice to talk to them, even if it wouldn’t change anything. Tristan and I both knew I was leaving at the end of the summer, and that would be the end of it. The end of us.
I sighed. “It doesn’t matter. I’m leaving for Japan soon. Tristan’s life is here. It always has been, and it always will be.”
It was selfish of me to expect otherwise. I knew how much the Alondra Valley meant to him. Him and the kids. He was firmly rooted here—he had a dog, a hedgehog, a house. His company. And the kids should be close to family and friends. To the community that continued to love and support them through their struggles and successes.
“You never know,” Sumner said, refilling our glasses. “Men do crazy things when they’re in love.” She got a wistful look in her eyes.
Pretty sure Tristan would have to be in love first to even consider doing something crazy. But he would only ever love one woman, and she was dead.
TWENTY-TWO
“Are you ready for another ‘fun’ family dinner?” Elle asked with mock enthusiasm.
Elle was never excited about dinner with her parents, but she seemed to be dreading it even more than usual. I wondered if it had to do with her parents, or if something had happened during her birthday weekend with Piper and Sumner. Because ever since then, she’d seemed…different. Almost withdrawn.
“Oh, absolutely,” I teased, rubbing up and down her arms. I couldn’t wait for our weekend away in Bear Creek. But as eager as I was to be alone with Elle, I also wanted to slow down time. Because not long after our trip to Bear Creek, Elle would leave for Japan. “But at least they’ve behaved lately, right?”
“Yeah.” She rolled her eyes. “For the most part.”
“Trust me. I’m not looking forward to it either. Gloria’s already pissy enough about the kids’ Disney trip.” But I also didn’t want to listen to her nagging if we missed dinner.
“Ugh.” Elle huffed and glanced toward the ceiling. “So ridiculous. Why can’t she just be happy that Maddox and Savannah are going to do something fun?”
“Because it wasn’t her idea. And they aren’t going with her.”
“True. But I don’t understand the need for comparison and jealousy. Shouldn’t we just be thrilled that the kids get to do something wonderful and create special memories with people who love them?”
“Yes. But we both know that’s not who Gloria is.” I rubbed the space between her shoulder blades, hoping to ease the tension there. “Is something else going on?”
She laughed, though it lacked humor. “Let’s just say my birthday has always been a sore spot for my family.”
“Because you’re adopted?” I asked, trying to understand.
“Something like that,” Elle said.
“I’m sorry.” I rubbed her arms. I hadn’t considered that her birthday might bring up feelings around her biological parents. “I’m sure that’s difficult.”
She nodded. “Thanks, but it’s fine. I’m just glad we already celebrated with the kids since I know my mom will try to ruin it for me like she always does.”
