Chapter 127
Summer's POV
Mom was already in the kitchen when I got home, humming along to Norah Jones playing from the Bluetooth speaker. The whole house smelled like garlic and butter—she'd ordered from Mistral again, our favorite. The dining table was set with our everyday dishes instead of the formal china, and there were fresh tulips in a simple glass vase.
"Hey, sweetheart!" She looked up from arranging takeout containers, her face brightening when she saw me. Then her expression shifted, concern creeping in. "How was school?"
"Fine." I set my bag down, suddenly exhausted. "It was fine."
She studied me for a moment, then seemed to decide not to push. "Well, go change into something comfortable. I got us lobster pasta and that chocolate lava cake you love. I thought we could eat and watch a movie—just us. How does that sound?"
Something in my chest loosened. "That sounds perfect."
I went upstairs and peeled off the silk dress, trading it for my softest sweatshirt and a pair of worn sweatpants. When I came back down, Mom had dimmed the lights and set everything up on the coffee table in the living room instead of the formal dining room.
"I figured we'd be more comfortable here," she said, patting the couch beside her. "I queued up Pride and Prejudice—the good one, with Colin Firth."
I curled up next to her, tucking my feet under me. She handed me a plate of pasta and we ate in comfortable silence for a while, the movie playing in the background.
"So," Mom said eventually, twirling pasta around her fork. "I heard from Maria that there was some kind of scene at school today. Something about Evan Whitmore and a grand gesture?"
Of course she'd heard. Maria's daughter was a junior at St. Jude's.
"He tried to ask me to get back together." I kept my eyes on my plate. "In front of everyone. With roses."
"And?"
"And I said no."
Mom was quiet for a moment. Then she reached over and squeezed my hand. "Good for you, sweetheart."
I looked at her, surprised. "You're not disappointed? You always liked Evan."
"I liked that he came from a good family and had nice manners." She set down her fork. "But I never liked the way he made you feel about yourself. You were always trying so hard to be what he wanted instead of just being you." Her voice softened. "You deserve someone who loves you for exactly who you are, Summer. Not someone you have to shrink yourself for."
My throat tightened. "What if that person doesn't exist?"
"He exists." Mom brushed my hair back from my face, her touch gentle. "And when you find him, you'll know. Because being with him will feel like coming home."
I thought about Kieran standing at that window, watching me walk away from Evan. I thought about his cold texts and his distance and the way he kept pushing me away like I was something dangerous.
That didn't feel like coming home. It felt like standing outside in the cold, watching a light in the window and knowing I'd never be let in.
But I didn't say any of that. I just nodded and let Mom pull me into a hug.
We spent the rest of the evening on the couch, eating chocolate lava cake and watching Mr. Darcy emerge from that lake in a wet shirt. Mom made commentary throughout, pointing out all the moments where Elizabeth and Darcy were "clearly in love but too stubborn to admit it."
For a few hours, I let myself forget about Kieran and Drake and the countdown ticking away in my head. I let myself just be seventeen, sitting with my mom, eating dessert and watching a love story with a happy ending.
It was almost enough to make me believe everything would be okay.
Almost.
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Later that night, I lay in bed scrolling through Instagram. My feed was drowning in Valentine's Day posts—couples at fancy restaurants, elaborate flower arrangements, Tiffany boxes and champagne. Brooke had posted at least thirty stories, including a video of her boyfriend spelling out "I LOVE YOU" in rose petals on the football field.
I was about to close the app when a text notification popped up.
Lily: Summer！ Happy Valentine's Day！🌹💕
My heart squeezed. I sat up in bed, smiling despite everything.
Me: Happy Valentine's Day, Lily! 💕 How was your day?
Three dots appeared immediately.
Lily: SO GOOD!! I got lots of Valentine's cards at school! My teacher said I'm very popular!
Lily: And guess what? Kieran bought me a cupcake! Strawberry flavor! He said today is about love so I should have something sweet 🧁
Lily: Did you get any flowers???
Me: I'm so glad you had a good day! Your cards must be so pretty! 💕
Me: I didn't get flowers, but that's okay. I got to spend time with my mom and that was really nice.
Me: Lily, are you free right now? Can I video call you? I'd love to see all your Valentine's cards!
The three dots appeared and disappeared several times. Then:
Lily: Yes!! But Summer... can we do it soon? Mommy says I have to go to bed at 9:30...
Lily: Also our video data is really expensive. Mommy says we can't use it for too long... 😢
My chest tightened. Of course. Of course even something as simple as a video call was a luxury they had to ration.
Me: Don't worry! We'll just chat for a few minutes, okay? Just long enough for you to show me your favorite cards! 💕
Me: I'll call you right now!
Lily: Okay!! Let me get my tablet!