Page 68 of My Heart Belongs to You

“And you won’t be able to keep me away from my little guy.”

I shadowboxed the side of her belly, laughing when I felt light taps on my hand.

“Just like an uncle to get the baby hype while I'm eating,” Summer groused.

“My bad, my bad.” I laughed then changed the subject. “Guess who I ran into at the diner?”

Summer’s eyebrows rose while chewing her food. I sighed, preparing myself for a big reaction.

“Valerie.”

"Wait,” Summer said with a hand wave. She finished chewing then wiped her mouth. “Did she bolt for the exit?”

I shook my head while laughing. “Not this time.”

After explaining my conversation with Valerie to Summer, I expected an immediate no from her. To my surprise, she sat silently.

“You don’t have anything to say?”

Summer bit her lip and inhaled deeply. After exhaling, she said, “I think only you know what you need to close this chapter. Although, I do find this situation funny... since you don’t believe in closure.”

I groaned while walking over to the fridge. Inside was a variety of drinks from fresh squeezed orange juice to sparkling water. Summer liked her options. I took out the pitcher of juice and a glass from the cabinet.

“It’s not that I don’t believe in it... I just don’t find it beneficial.” After pouring her a glass of juice, I settled on a bottle of water. “And this isn’t really closure.”

Summer accepted the glass with a smile. “You’re getting the resolution by seeing her one last time. It’s the textbook definition.”

My eyebrows met. I always viewed closure as getting answers to looming questions. Seeing Avery wouldn’t grant answers. In the back of my mind, I’d always wonder why Vanessa chose to run. More than anything, I was disappointed with how she ended things.

“Closure would be Vanessa telling me why she chose to move instead of following through on our plans. I’d know the reason why she did so much shit behind my back. I accepted her in a way her family couldn’t, but she treated me the same as them. When I get answers to those questions, I'll have closure.”

“I didn’t know this was still bothering you?” Summer’s eyes searched mine for an answer.

She wasn’t the only one shocked by my outburst. I guess my conversation with Valerie brought latent feelings to the surface. I licked my lips, acutely aware of the heat coursing through me.

“It hit me when Valerie brought up their dad cheating. Nothing I did for her would have been enough because I'm not the cure to her trust issues.”

Summer placed her hand on mine. Her eyes were soft and filled with compassion. “None of what happened was your fault. You are a great person and an even greater partner. You love your people deeply. It's one of the things I admire about you.”

I couldn’t help my smile. “You admire me?”

With an eye roll, she replied, “Of course. Why do you think I wanted you to be his godfather? You’re the best person I know.”

Summer and I were the siblings who didn’t say I love you often. She knew I’d always be her protector beside Ryder. It had always been that way and would remain. We were so locked in that expressing our feelings for one another wasn’t needed, but it was still nice to hear from time to time.

After finishing her hash browns, Summer closed her container then pushed it aside.

“Alright, let’s head upstairs before the itis hits.”

We started toward the steps. She glanced at me. “Tell me something good. What else is happening in your world?”

As we climbed the stairs, I considered sharing the most pressing development in my life. I needed to talk to someone about me and Robyn. Mel never had good relationship advice and my mom would jump straight to wedding planning. Summer fell somewhere in the middle.

“I’ve been spending a lot of time with Robyn.”

Summer turned to me with bright eyes and the biggest smile on her face. “That’s exactly what I wanted to hear. Tell me more please.”

We entered baby boy’s room and I nodded at how different it looked. The paint was a nice touch with his dark brown crib and dresser. Summer had each frame against the wall where she wanted them to hang. On top of the dresser were the nails, hammer, and a level. She took a seat in her rocking chair and eyed me.