Page 86 of Finding Home

A thoughtful grin etched Summer’s face. “Elle. It fits you.”

“You’re not Caroline Bingley anymore,”Elle said, placing her hand on Summer’s.

“Thank you. Now, my job is to keep the Caroline Bingley’s of the world away from Liam.”A hint of a ‘don’t mess with my cub’ glint lit her eyes.

“Can I ask where Liam’s dad is?”

“He’s not in the picture.” Her smile tightened in a firm line. “It’s better that way.”

Elle nodded. She suspected there was more to that story, but she’d wait until Summer was ready to share. They all had unshared chapters of their stories. Elle understood that better than anyone.

Liam skipped over; hand clasped with Noah’s. “Mom, look what Fitz can do.”

“What, baby?”

“Here you go.” Noah handed Liam a small piece of peanut butter cookie.

“Fitz, sit!”Liam commanded, holding the cookie up.

Fitz’s wiggly butt plopped onto the sidewalk.

“Fitz, shake!” Liam held out his palm and Fitz tapped it with his front right paw.

Liam gave Fitz the treat and a scratch of his ears for good measure.

“Very cool,” Summer praised Fitz and Liam.

“I taught him everything he knows.” Noah winked.

“Mom, Noah owns the bakery. He said I could have a cookie. Is that okay?” Liam asked.

“Hope I didn’t overstep. The free ones I brought are gone, so I texted Diana at the bakery and said if my new friend Liam stops by to give him his favorite cookie on me.” He looked between mother and son.

“Noah, that’s very kind of you. I will totally pay for?—”

He held up his hand, stopping Summer’s offer. “It’s a treat for my friend here. How often do I get to look like a baller in Perry?” Noah insisted, his blue eyes warm like a tropical sea.

“What’s a baller?” Liam asked, his face scrunched.

“It’s someone really cool that everyone wants to be around,” Summer explained.

“Oh, like Fitz!” Liam declared cheerily.

“Yep.”All three adults laughed as Liam fawned over Fitz.

“I am so sorry for how I was to you,” Summer whispered, as she hugged Elle goodbye.

Elle murmured back, “I know. That’s not you anymore.”

“You’re a good egg, Davidson.” Noah looped his arm around her shoulder as Summer and Liam moved down the street.

“She’s not who she used to be.”

She’d seen glimpses of her old friend and hated the way the feeling of lost time rushed over her. She’d missed Summer, the old, pre-high school Summer, and was grateful for the reconnection with her. There wasn’t much time left in her stay in Perry, and it felt like she had a lot of time to make up for.

“Are any of us?” Noah said, a deep breath accompanying his words.

How true that is.Elle studied him. So much of the boy she’d crushed on in high school was still in the man that stood beside her, but he was so much more. Kindness and thoughtfulness were wrapped in this handsome package. Behind his charming smirks was a perceptiveness that most people didn’t realize was there.

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