Page 85 of Secret Baby's Second Shot

I set the dish towel down, crossing the room to wrap my arms around him. “Me neither.”

He pulled me closer, his forehead resting against mine. “You’re amazing, you know that?”

“You’re not so bad yourself,” I teased, smiling as he laughed.

A few weeks later,I was finalizing the first set of campaign materials when Ava wandered into my office, Bunny in tow. She climbed onto my lap, her eyes wide as she looked at the designs on my screen.

“Are those stories about other kids like me?” she asked, her voice curious.

“They are,” I said, brushing a curl from her face. “They’re stories about how brave kids like you are and how their families love them so much.”

She smiled, resting her head against my chest. “I like that.”

“Me too, baby,” I said softly, holding her close.

That evening,after Ava went to bed, Enzo and I sat on the porch, the warm summer breeze wrapping around us. “She said we already act like a real family,” I said, smiling at the memory.

“That’s because we are,” Enzo replied, his hand finding mine.

I turned to him, my heart racing as I met his gaze. “So, what does that make us?”

He leaned closer, his voice low and steady. “It makes us partners. A team. And maybe, if you’re ready for it, something more.”

Tears filled my eyes as I nodded, my voice trembling. “I’m ready.”

He smiled, pulling me into his arms as the weight of uncertainty melted away. In that moment, I knew we were exactly where we were meant to be—together, building a life filled with love, laughter, and hope.

49

SUMMER

The gravel crunched under the tires as Enzo pulled the car into the driveway of a cozy lakeside cabin. The late afternoon sun cast a golden glow over the water, its surface shimmering like glass. Tall pines surrounded the cabin, their scent mingling with the crisp air. I glanced over at Enzo, my heart racing as I realized he had planned all of this without telling me.

“When did you do this?” I asked, unable to hide the surprise in my voice.

He smiled, turning off the engine. “I’ve been planning it for a while. I thought we could use some time to ourselves.”

I bit my lip, my cheeks warming. “What about Ava?”

“She’s having the time of her life with Elaine and Richard,” he said, his tone reassuring. “They practically begged me to take her for the weekend. This is our time, Summer. Just us.”

My chest tightened, a mixture of gratitude and anticipation swelling inside me. “You’re amazing, you know that?”

He leaned over, brushing a soft kiss against my forehead. “I could say the same about you.”

The cabin waswarm and inviting, with rustic wooden beams and large windows that offered a breathtaking view of the lake. A stone fireplace stood at the center of the living room, and a soft, oversized couch was draped with a cozy plaid blanket. Enzo carried our bags inside, setting them down by the stairs.

“You really outdid yourself,” I said, my voice tinged with awe as I took in the space.

He shrugged, his grin playful. “I wanted it to be special. You deserve that.”

I stepped closer to him, my hands resting on his chest. “You’re making it hard not to fall for you, you know.”

His hands slid to my waist, pulling me closer. “Maybe that’s the point,” he murmured, his dark eyes locking onto mine.

My breath hitched as his gaze lingered, the air between us charged.

Later that evening,after we’d unpacked and shared a simple dinner by the fireplace, we stepped outside onto the cabin’s wide porch. The stars above were brighter than I’d ever seen, their light reflecting on the still surface of the lake. Enzo wrapped an arm around my shoulders, pulling me close as we stood in comfortable silence.

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