Chapter 171
The scent of roasted chicken, butter, and rosemary hits me the moment Penny opens the door.
20
Warm light spills from the hallway into the porch, and inside, colorful sound echoes through the house. June’s laugh. Jamie’s quiet snort. Jackie’s high–pitched giggle.
“Come in,” Penny waves me in with a smile. “We’re in the middle of dinner.”
I follow her in, carrying a box of Dunkin‘ Donuts, which June said Jamie’s obsessed with. “Oh, no. I don’t mean to intrude.”
She waves me off. “You’re family now. And family gets fed.”
The dining table is already set–brightly–colored plates, soft linen napkins, and a glass pitcher of lemonade in the center.
The twins and June are already seated. Jackie waves the moment she sees me, while Jamie gives me a suspicious glance over his cup, his dark brows scrunching.
June, perched between them, lights up when she sees me. “You’re here!”
1 smile, placing a quick kiss on her hair before passing her to sit across from them. “Hey, Summer. Good day?”
“The best!” she gushes.
She spends more and more time with the Carters, and a while ago, it would have been hard to let her be away from me so much for so long, but seeing the way her eyes light up when I drop her off with her new friends warms something in me, and saying goodbye gets
easier every time.
Dinner is…loud. And chaotic. And a little messy.
I love it.
Jackie tells me about her science project involving glitter and vinegar. Jamie pretends not to care until he quietly corrects her facts under his breath, and June practically beams every time he opens his mouth.
At some point, he makes a jab at his sister, and before Penny can reprimand him, June nudges him with her elbow.
The way he blushes and looks down–God, it’s adorable.
“Jamie helped me with my reading homework,” June says proudly, chewing on a piece of bread. “He even made flashcards.”
“I only did it because she kept mispronouncing ‘catastrophic,” Jamie mumbles.
Jackie bursts into laughter. “She said ‘cata straw–fick!
June scowls. “Okay, well, it was catastrophic for me, alright?”
Penny and I both laugh. The kind of deep bellied, warm laugh that comes from comfort. Happiness.
1/4
21:04 Wed, Oct 15
Chapter 171
When the meal winds down and the plates are mostly empty, Jamie clears his throat and shifts in his seat. He’s not looking at me, but where his attention is directed is clear.
20
“I’m sorry for what I said.”
I pause, fork halfway to my mouth. “What?”
He still doesn’t look at me. “When I said I hated you.”
I set my fork down. “Jamie…”
“I didn’t mean it,” he rushes out, face red. His eyes dart between me and June. “I was upset because June was leaving, and it felt like it was your fault. But it’s not. You’re her sister. And you take care of her, and that’s good because she deserves someone to take care of her.”
I blink. It’s probably the most words he’s said to me since we met.
“Thank you,” I say softly. “That means a lot.”
June grins and bumps his shoulder. He looks at her, and his face softens as they share a look that tugs at something in my belly.
After dinner–and donuts for dessert–the kids run off to play while Penny and I stay behind to clean up.
There’s something oddly grounding about rinsing dishes while she scrubs.
It feels so…domestic. Normal.
“Can I ask you something?” I say, setting a plate onto the drainer.
Penny hums. “Of course.”
I hesitate, then: “You know Lily Ellington, right?”
She nods. “Of course. The Ellingtons have been friends with the Ashfords for a long time. Lara’s a lovely girl.”
I inhale. “Lily offered me an opportunity to study in Paris.”
She looks up sharply. “Paris?”
I nod. “There’s this fashion institute. And Lily knows someone on the board, and she says I’m good enough to get in, and she’ll pay for everything, and–Penny?”
Penny’s hands still, her eyes wide. “April,” she gasps, “that’s incredible.”
I laugh nervously. “It is. But…it’s also in Paris.”
“And?” she prompts.
“And I have June. I can’t just uproot her and make her come with me–I can’t leave her behind either. I don’t even know if I should go. What if it’s selfish?”
2/4
21:04 Wed, Oct 15
Chapter 171
Penny hands me a dish towel, then leans against the counter. “Do you want to go?”
只今
20
I hesitate. When I’m not preoccupied with the Lucas plan, Paris is all I can think about. The fear still sits in my chest–a king in its palace.
But something lingers–excitement. Longing.
I nod. “… I think so.”
“Then you should go.”
“But-”
“You’ve spent your entire life taking care of someone else,” Penny says. “Working, sacrificing, surviving. This isn’t selfish, April. It’s
overdue.”
I stare down at the towel in my hand.
She steps closer, voice gentle. “And you won’t be leaving June alone. I meant it when I said I’d help. She can stay with us. She’s already part of the family.”
My throat tightens. “I can’t ask you to do that.”
She smiles. “You’re not. I literally just offered.”
I let out a breathy laugh, gripping the towel tightly. “I don’t want her to feel like I’m choosing something over her.”
“She won’t,” Penny says firmly. “She’ll understand. Because she loves you.”
A soft knock interrupts us.
June stands at the doorway, fingers fiddling with the hem of her shirt. “I do love you,” she says quietly.
I open my mouth, but she holds up a hand.
“You should go. And I’m not going with you.”
My heart lurches. “June…”
She walks over, eyes wide and calm. “You’ve given up so much for me, Spring. And I know firsthand how much you love fashion.”
She smiles softly. “You have no idea how much you glowed when you were making your dress for the ball. You belong in fashion school.”
I kneel in front of her, cupping her face. “But I don’t want you to feel like I’m leaving you.”
“I don’t,” she says, shaking her head. “Because you’re not.” Her hand cradles mine. “We’re sisters. There’s nowhere you can go that we’ll be apart, right?”
Tears prick my eyes. “Right,”
3/4
21:04 Wed, Oct 15
Chapter 171
“And I’ll be right here, being your biggest fan.”
I sniff. “You’re really okay with this?”
:
20
She nods. “I want you to go. I want you to do something just for you. For the first time in your life, Spring, don’t worry about me.”
I pull her into a hug, and she wraps her arms around my neck.
“You’re going to have the best time in Paris,” she whispers.
My arms tighten around her, and I laugh softly.
“I guess I am.”
Chapter Comments
01
о
Write Comments
SHARE
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
