With a bittersweet smile on my face, I take a deep breath, pushing aside my own desires and embracing the night for what it is. At least we’ll always be friends.
Chapter 1
Lily
In the hustle and bustle of my small apartment, I watch as my daughter, Emma, twirls around with excitement. Her pink dress flares, and her short curly brown hair bounces around her as she squeals in delight.
“Are you excited to see Auntie Olivia?” I ask as I fill a bag full of essentials that I might need for my hyperactive four-year-old.
“Livy!” she yells.
I smile at her fondly.
It’s officially summer vacation and Emma is thrilled to be out of preschool and to have more time to play with me before she starts kindergarten in the fall. We’ve made plans to meet Olivia at the local park. The sun is shining, casting a warm glow that mirrors the joy in my heart. I’m excited to spend the next few weeks with my daughter, making new memories together. I want nothing but the best for her after everything she’s been through in her short life.
As we make our way to the park, I can’t help but feel a tinge of excitement. Olivia mentioned earlier that she had a surprise for Emma. She’s always making grand gestures, taking her on days out and buying her extravagant gifts. She’s been good to Emma, and I appreciate all the time and the effort. Olivia’s not even her real auntie, but my best friend. We’ve known each other since we were kids, so it’s all the same to us.
I haven’t seen Olivia in a couple of weeks. I’m unemployed right now, so she’s offered to meet with me and schedule what days she can watch Emma. I can’t wait to see her. Olivia has always had a way of infusing even the simplest moments with laughter and magic. I’m sure that today will be no different and she’ll find a way to cheer me up about my current situation.
It’s truly a beautiful day at the park, and we’ve caught the sunshine. Excitement fills the air. Children’s laughter dances on the breeze, mingling with the melodies of birdsong. As we get closer, I can see Olivia has someone with her. It’s a face I’ve never seen before but holds a striking resemblance to my dearest friend.
“Oh, my goodness!” I say enthusiastically, excitement bubbling up inside of me as I process what I’m seeing. “Hello, sweetie. I’m Lily and this is Emma.”
The little boy—who can only be Olivia’s nephew—hides shyly behind her legs.
Olivia grins at me with a nod.
“Emma, this is Ethan,” she introduces.
Emma looks thrilled and is bouncing on the balls of her feet with excitement.
“Hi, hi!” she greets him with a wave.
“He’s a little shy,” Olivia adds when he doesn’t say anything. “He doesn’t talk.”
My brow furrows as I glance toward Olivia. I’m not sure if she means that he can’t talk, or if he prefers not to. Either way, now isn’t the time for asking questions.
“That’s okay,” I tell Ethan, bending slightly so I’m closer to his height. I don’t want to intimidate the shy boy. He’s only a couple of inches taller than my daughter, so he can’t be much older than her. “You don’t have to talk. You can just play. Emma will go with you.”
Emma’s eyes light up, and she gently reaches for Ethan’s arm, eager to explore the wonders of the playground. He turns his gaze toward his auntie, who nods in encouragement. He lets Emma tug him.
“Come on, Ethan! Swings! They’re the best part!” Emma’s voice is filled with infectious enthusiasm.
Ethan hesitates, his reserved nature wrestling with the urge to join in the adventure. With a nod and a hint of bravery, he follows Emma’s lead, his small hand clasping hers as they embark on their first escapade together.
I turn to Olivia in surprise. “He’s just wonderful. He looks so much like you!” I can’t believe it. It’s uncanny.
“I know.” She laughs and nods. “Perks of having a twin: his kid looks just like me.”
We both walk over to a picnic bench so we can watch the kids together. Olivia is carrying a picnic basket so we’ll be here for a few hours at least. It will be good for Emma who is full of boundless energy. It might tire her out.
“So, is he back?” I ask curiously.
Olivia’s twin brother, Blake, had seemingly disappeared from our uneventful town. I can’t blame him. Why would anyone willingly return to such a place when they had the means to explore the world? He had ventured off after college, chasing his ambitions and amassing a fortune along the way. The occasional glimpse of him at family gatherings was my only reminder of his existence, but even those encounters became scarce after their mother’s passing. It had been years since I last laid eyes on Blake, but our connection remained intact in my memory. We have always shared a genuine camaraderie, easily finding common ground and laughing through life’s ups and downs. However, as time passed, the distance between us grew, and the details of his personal life became a mystery to me. I vaguely know he’s married, but the specifics of his wife and child remain shrouded in ambiguity.
“Yeah, and this time it might be for good,” she says softly. Olivia’s eyes sparkle mischievously as she reveals a secret: “He’s staying at mine for a few months.”
The news crashes over me like a wave, leaving me slightly breathless. My curiosity piques, and a sense of intrigue dances in my veins. Suddenly I feel seventeen years old again, crushing on my best friend’s brother in secret and knowing that he’d never look twice at me. I quickly squash it down. It’s been years. That was just a silly crush and we’ve both moved on, taking different directions in life.
“Oh. That’s…good,” I reply, not sure what else to say about it.
I have a lot of questions about why some hotshot would move here, but I know Blake is a private person and Olivia isn’t the kind of person to spill someone else’s drama.
“Yeah, it means I get to be a real auntie to Ethan,” she responds. “And if I’m honest, I miss my brother. We don’t see each other very often.”
I’m happy for her. Family is important. I know how much she misses her mom. I miss her all the time so I can’t imagine how she feels. Having Blake and Ethan back here must be a dream come true. We never thought Blake would come home.
“Good, that’s what you always wanted,” I respond.
I’m happy for her.
As the children play together, their laughter intertwines like the branches of a blooming tree, I find myself observing them with a mixture of warmth and longing. Emma’s eyes light up with every interaction, cherishing the companionship that comes from having a playmate by her side. A pang of yearning stirs within me, a desire for a sibling for Emma, something I have always dreamed of. I would love to have someone for Emma to play with. I never wanted just one child. Unfortunately, my ex-partner didn’t feel the same and dropped the bomb that he didn’t want children after I’d given birth.
“So, what happened at the store?” she asks.
Olivia’s inquisitive gaze meets mine.
An exasperated sigh escapes my lips, my voice tinged with bitterness as I admit, “I got fired.”