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“I accept your apology. I hope that in the future when we’re together to support our daughter, we’ll be able to do so as her mom and dad without animosity and with all the love and pride we have for her.”
Jessica smiled. “I’d like that.” She gave a regal nod, turned, and left them.
Nate wondered what happened to Cody, though he could probably guess Cody was locked away on the other side of the house, also trying to figure out how this night ended with Summer walking out the door.
And Nate had a good idea how it started and turned to Miranda. “What were you thinking asking Summer to leave? You blamed her for Natalie’s behavior. You made her feel unwelcome here.”
“I made a mistake,” Miranda confessed. “I’m sorry. Like Cody, I just wanted all the trouble to cease and for things to go back to normal.”
“So she leaves, then what? Natalie doesn’t have an opportunity to own up to what she did and apologize to Summer, so they can work it out. How does that help things?”
Natalie stepped away from Haley. “I will apologize to her and Cody. I see now that what I did was all about me and what I wanted. I never took into account how it would make Cody feel. Or Summer. I never really gave her a chance, but she was always nice to me anyway.”
“Because you’re my sister,” Summer said, walking into the room. “And I love you. But you can be a spoiled brat.” Summer’s eyes softened and a slight grin tugged at her lips, showing that while those words were true, she didn’t mean them to hurt Natalie.
Haley ran to Summer and threw her arms around her. “You came back.”
“I don’t like the way I left things. I needed a minute to calm down.”
Nate stared at her. “We all did.”
Miranda stepped forward. “Summer, I owe you a huge apology. I’m so sorry. I never should have asked you to leave. You were right. Nate and I should have addressed Natalie’s feelings for Cody in a more direct manner before things went too far.”
Summer pressed her lips tight. “Cody should have done the same.” She turned to Natalie. “Everyone in this family loves you so much, none of them want to upset or hurt you. I don’t want to do that, either, and I know that my presence here threw you. But what you did to Cody and me, it hurt, most especially because you’re my sister and I want us to be not just close, but best friends.”
Natalie’s eyes teared up again. “If you’ll give me another chance, I’d like that very much. And I want you to know, I am truly sorry for what I did.”
“I know you are.”
“And I want you to know that, yes, my feelings for Cody run deep, but I understand now that they aren’t the same kind of feelings you two share. I’m sorry if I messed that up for you.”
“Cody and I will work out our issues together. That’s what couples do,” Summer added, making it clear that she and Cody were together and Natalie needed to stay out of it.
Nate opened his arms to Summer.
She closed the distance and walked right into them.
“I love you.” He kissed her on the side of the head. “Please say you’ll stay a little longer. If it helps, your mother and I came to an amicable understanding.”
Summer leaned back. “I’m happy to hear that. But first, I need to talk to Cody.”
Chapter Fifty-One
Cody hadn’t moved from his spot on the floor, back against the bed, his view of the ocean doing nothing to ease him as he held his phone to his chest, hoping and praying Summer either walked in the door or at the very least texted him back. He’d given up drinking three swigs in. The booze helped numb some of the anxiety, but not the heartache.
God, how could he be so stupid and thoughtless and reckless with his relationship?
Time apart only made him want her more.
He should have said what he really meant, and that was that everyone who thought Summer was to blame for anything needed a reality check.
Well, Summer had given them all one.
Natalie needed to grow up. Miranda and Nate needed to stop coddling Natalie. Jessica needed to take responsibility and show a little more remorse for her actions. She also needed to give Summer the time and space she needed to find her way to forgiveness. Because it would come in time. Summer had a good heart. She loved her mother despite all of Jessica’s many flaws.
He hoped Summer forgave him, too.
In his heart, he knew she would, but the waiting was killing him.
