Page 86 of Secret Baby's Second Shot

“This place is incredible,” I said softly, leaning into him.

“It’s better now that you’re here,” he replied, his voice low.

I tilted my head to look at him, my heart skipping a beat at the tenderness in his expression. “Enzo…”

He cupped my face gently, his thumb brushing over my cheek. “I’ve wanted to say this for a while, but I needed the right moment.”

“What is it?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

He took a deep breath, his dark eyes holding mine. “I love you, Summer. I’ve loved you for a long time, and I don’t want to waste another second pretending I don’t.”

Tears welled in my eyes, a wave of emotion crashing over me. “I love you too,” I said, my voice trembling. “I always have.”

The words were barely outof my mouth before his lips captured mine. The kiss was soft at first, gentle and tentative, but it quickly deepened, his arms wrapping tightly around me as if he couldn’t bear to let go. My hands found their way to his shoulders, then to his hair, pulling him closer as the world around us faded away.

When we finally broke apart, our breathing was ragged, and his forehead rested against mine. “Say it again,” he murmured, his voice husky.

“I love you,” I said, smiling through my tears.

He kissed me again, slower this time, his hands sliding to my waist. Without breaking the kiss, he guided me back inside, the warmth of the cabin wrapping around us as he closed the door behind him.

We moved to the couch,the flickering light from the fireplace casting soft shadows across the room. Enzo’s touch was firm yet tender, his hands trailing over my arms, my back, my waist, as if memorizing every inch of me. His lips followed, leaving a path of warmth along my jaw, my neck, my collarbone.

“Are you sure?” he asked, his voice low and full of reverence as he pulled back slightly to look at me.

“Yes,” I whispered, my hands cupping his face. “I’ve never been more sure of anything.”

His smile was breathtaking, his eyes filled with love as he leaned in again.

What followed wasa moment of pure connection, every touch and every kiss a reflection of the love and trust we’d built together. He was attentive and patient, his movements unhurried as if savoring every second. I felt safe, cherished, and completely consumed by the intensity of what we shared.

When it was over, we lay tangled together on the couch, the blanket pulled over us as the fire crackled softly in the background. His fingers traced lazy patterns along my arm, and I rested my head on his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy,” I admitted, my voice muffled against his skin.

He pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “Me neither. I feel like I’ve been waiting for this moment my whole life.”

I tilted my head to look at him, a soft smile tugging at my lips. “What’s next for us, Enzo?”

“Anything we want,” he said, his dark eyes warm and full of promise. “As long as it’s together.”

Later,we stepped back out onto the porch, wrapped in the same plaid blanket as we sat on the wooden bench overlooking the lake. The stars above seemed brighter now, their light mirrored in the still water below.

“What are you thinking about?” he asked, his voice soft.

“Everything,” I said, resting my head against his shoulder. “How far we’ve come, how lucky we are, how much I love you.”

He smiled, his arm tightening around me. “I love you too, Summer. More than I ever thought possible.”

We sat there in peaceful silence, the weight of the past months fading away as we looked toward the future—one filled with love, hope, and the promise of forever.

50

SUMMER

The backyard was alive with laughter and the soft hum of conversation. Strings of twinkling lights hung between the trees, casting a warm glow over the crowd of friends and family gathered to celebrate Ava’s six-month recovery milestone. Elaine had outdone herself, organizing the event with colorful decorations, a table overflowing with food, and even a small cake adorned with Ava’s favorite character, Bunny, in the center. Ava ran through the grass, her curls bouncing as she giggled, clutching Bunny tightly in one hand. She was glowing with energy, her cheeks rosy and her smile brighter than the summer sun. Watching her play, it was hard to believe that just a few months ago, we had been sitting in a hospital room, clinging to hope.

“She looks amazing,” Elaine said, stepping beside me with a glass of lemonade. “It’s like she never missed a beat.”

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