Page 91 of When the Night is Over

“I applied for this internship and I got it, but turned it down when I got a better offer. It’s a long story, but I kind of had to crawl back and beg him to take me on.”

“Oh.”

“Can I plan to come back a week from this Friday? You think it’ll be all right with Lawrence if I use the cabin again?” When I don’t answer right away, he apologizes, “Sorry, I should be asking you if that interferes with your plans first, shouldn’t I?”

“I never have any plans.”Way to go, loser.“I mean, I’m spending the entire summer here.”

“If I said I wanted to come and spend weekends here this summer, would that be all right with you?” I think my heart stops beating momentarily when he says, “I want to get to know him, Charlotte.”

“Yeah,” I whisper. “Yes,” I repeat, collecting myself. “And Lawrence doesn’t really use the cabin anymore, so I’m sure it’s not going to be an issue if you want to stay there.”

He smiles. “It’s either the cabin or a tent in your backyard. This internship pays crap.”

“The bears would enjoy the tent set-up.”

“Way to try and scare me off.” Simon reaches over then, moves a strand of hair that’s fallen in front of my eyes. “I don’t want to push my way in. I’m taking my cues from you.”

“Do you really want to be here?”

“I do.”

“Then I’m good with that. Let’s just keep it week to week with Ethan, though. I don’t want him getting his hopes up or counting on something—”

“You know me better than that.”

“I wasn’t implying that you’re going to flake out on him. I’m just saying that things happen, life gets in the way sometimes. And let’s face it, this is all new to you.”

“You think once I’m bored—”

“Jesus, no! I just don’t...I just think we need to be careful and take this slow for his sake.”

What I really want to say is that I need to take it slow for my own sake. Just the thought of him being here with us, with me, has me lit up inside, excited for the possibility it presents. I need to pour cold water on those feelings, tamp down the flutters that took over when he did no more than move that wayward strand of hair. Even though he’s telling me it's over with that girl, I don’t want to hope for something that might never be.

Simon’s smile could light up an entire city a moment later when he says, “Look who’s awake.”

Ethan eyeballs Simon, unsure what to make of him. He crawls up into my lap, burrowing under the edge of the blanket in a way that partially hides his face. He mutters back, “Hi,” and then sticks his thumb in his mouth.

“That looks cozy.” Simon reaches over to ruffle Ethan’s hair, brushing the back of his hand against my boob with the motion. I gasp just as he clears his throat. “Ah, I’m getting another muffin.” There’s an apology in his eyes when he asks, “Can I get you anything?”

I squeak out, “I’m good,” as Ethan mumbles, “I want my cup.”

Simon jumps up. “I’m on it, buddy.”

“The cups are next to the sink and the chocolate milk is on the left side of the fridge.”

“Make it warm,” Ethan calls after him, as if he’s speaking to his butler.

“That’s my dad?” Ethan asks when we’re alone.

I snuggle him close. “Yes, my love, that’s your daddy. He wanted to surprise you this morning so he got here super duper early.”

Simon comes out with a dishcloth draped over his forearm and bows as he hands the cup over. “As requested, warm organic chocolate milk. Only the best for you, Ethan.”

Ethan cracks a shy smile. “You soo-prize me.”

“I did?”

“I told Ethan that Daddy woke up earlier than the sun to surprise him this morning.”

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