Page 25 of The Summer I Loved

CHAPTER NINE

Adri wished she could cartwheel as easily as she had in high school pep rallies. Fancy s’mores made with chocolate mousse and shortbread cookies and chocolate hazelnut lattes. Those would be new items at the bistro. The pear, walnut-gorgonzola salad would be a hit. It had been a wonderful day for her business mind. She couldn’t wait to see Lauren’s and Mom’s faces over the gifts she bought for them.

She splurged like she rarely did but it would make them all happy, and that was all she cared about. Her mom and her best friend had always been there for her. These gifts were not enough to show how much she appreciated them. And Bronwyn would squeal over hers.

Adri headed back to Cam’s more in control of her emotions. The call with Lauren and the day in the city had centered her. She couldn’t wait to see her baby. She could now trust herself to talk to Bron’s father without screaming. She and Cam were in a tricky situation but it was not unheard of. Millions of parents who are not together raised children every day. They just needed to get on the same page. The most important thing was that Bron was dealing well with all the changes. She planned to call the school and ask them to recommend a professional to advise her on how to deal with it.

She and Cam needed to learn to work together and share the responsibilities. It was no longer solely up to her. She was scared and relieved at the same time.

Luciana intercepted her at the door. Her normally sleek and styled former nemesis seemed frazzled and her hands clasped tightly together. "Thank God you’re here."

Adrianna froze. "Did something happen to Bron?" she asked but moved past Luciana.

In the living room, Cam was holding a sobbing Bronwyn.

"You see?" he said. "She's here."

Adrianna walked over, sat down and wrapped her arms around Bron, kissing her teary cheeks. "What's wrong,Princesa?"

"I thought you left me." She burrowed in Adrianna's chest.

"Left you? Where would I go?" Adrianna asked her.

"Back home," Bronwyn said, sounding even younger than her nine years.

"Without you? I can't go without my heart." She waited until her daughter looked at her. "I will never leave you. Nothing's changed. It's just like when you go to school. You understand?"

Bronwyn nodded.

"I brought you something. I think you’re going to like it." Adrianna signaled to Luciana to pass her the bag. She looked through it and pulled out a T-shirt. She handed it to her daughter.

Bronwyn unfolded the garment. Her eyes widened and she let out a high-pitched squeal.

"Las Meninas. I love it, Mom."

Then she stood up, her face still wet with tears, but it was like nothing happened just seconds before. She went around the room, showing the shirt to Lux and Cam, who seemed dumbfounded. Then she turned back to Adrianna.

"Can I wear it now? Please, Mom!"

"Yes, after you've had a bath," Adrianna said, secretly patting herself on the back for buying a backup and two other art T-shirts.

"But I bathed this morning…" Bronwyn complained.

"Yes, and it's seven o’clock and you've been out and about, right? How about you head upstairs and take your clothes off? I'll come to the bathroom and fix you a bath with bubbles in the big tub. You can tell me all about your day and I’ll tell you about mine."

"Okay," she said and ran up the stairs.

Cam and Luciana, whom Adrianna had completely forgotten, stood around in shock. She tried to lighten the mood. “Las Meninasis one of Bronwyn's favorite paintings because my mom calls herMi Niña,which, to Bron, sounds likeMenina. She also bought Bron a replica of the painting. When Mom visits, they come up with stories together about howLas Meninaswas a group of girl spies working for the crown.”

Stop rambling, Adri. They don’t care.

"I don't understand. She was having fun and laughing and then she was crying hysterically asking for you." Cam seemed so confused.

"She's nine. Kids are super dramatic at that age. She still doesn't know you all very well. But she needs you, too."

"It's like she thought we would hurt her." Luciana smoothed her hair.

"She's had huge changes in her life the last few days. I was thinking about that earlier," Adrianna said to Cam. "We should probably have her see someone. Just to make sure she is taking everything well."

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